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Pulmonary embolism

I'm in the ICU at the hospital in Reston, VA, where paramedics took me last night as soon as our plane landed in Dulles. I started feeling short of breath as we were taking a walk on Wednesday evening, our last night in Hamburg. I had to take it slow in the Hamburg airport, but by the time we got to Dublin (layover) my shortness of breath was worse. I emailed my German oncologist and he urged me to go immediately to the ER in Dublin in case it was a blood clot (lung cancer patients are especially susceptible to pulmonary embolism). I felt ok while resting and we didn't want to completely upend our plans to return home, so we decided I would go to the ER after we landed. In retrospect that was probably an unwise decision. 

The flight was pretty bad. I was on oxygen for large chunks of the 7.5 hours. Even walking a few steps to/from the bathroom left me feeling totally out of breath. It was scary to experience those symptoms. 

They were drawing blood and running tests on me until about 2:30am. I'm hooked up to oxygen and have two IVs so between that and jet lag, I'm not sure I got any sleep. The CT scan results showed the blood clots. I also have a clot in my calf. I'm not allowed out of bed for any reason. I'm already taking heparin (blood thinner). This is the worst I have ever felt in my life. 

A doctor will come by later this morning. I don't know how long I will have to stay here; it depends on my symptoms and recovery. It could be a couple days; it could be a week or more. It's really hard not knowing and not being able to plan. I've never been confined to a bed before or felt so helpless.

Leland and Lily will head home today with our luggage (they're staying with my brother and sister-in-law in Frederick) and then Leland will drive down in our car here tomorrow. Friends in the DC area are welcome to come visit.  

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 10:33 AM

    My dear Esther, what an ordeal! Praying fervently for you, Leland, and Lily.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 10:35 AM

    Oh my Esther I am so sorry. Medical issues are very overwhelming and it is so hard to live around these things and wondering what will pop up day to day. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Best advice I can give is to take each step and each day until things unfold to come out on the other side. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  3. AlyssaJuly 29, 2022 at 10:41 AM

    Sending you love and healing, Esther. I’m glad you’re in good care. 💚🌈💚🌈💚🌈💚🌈💚

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marianne KuhnsJuly 29, 2022 at 10:46 AM

    I'm so sorry! Hope you will be able to come soon. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 11:01 AM

    I am so sorry you're going through such a hard time.. I hope you get well soon 🙏🏼

    ReplyDelete
  6. TannerJuly 29, 2022 at 11:06 AM

    So sorry to hear this, Esther. Hope you can heal and get home soon! Thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 11:27 AM

    Praying. Praying for wise hands to care for you, eyes to see, and for you to have measures of resilience through the hands of The One who loves you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 11:39 AM

    How scary, Esther. I hope that you heal quickly. I'm sure you're also thinking how this is affecting Lily especially - I'm keeping her and Leland in my prayers as well. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsJuly 29, 2022 at 11:54 AM

      Thank you. I think she was pretty scared on the plane yesterday.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 12:32 PM

    I’m so sorry that this was your welcome home, but so thankful you made it to all the way from Germany to Dulles - with a PE. That’s so scary! I hope the blood thinners do their job and you get back to State College safely and soon. Thinking of you, Leland, and Lily.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 1:13 PM

    Oh Esther-- I'm so sorry. What a wretched, scary, hard situation. Will be back in State College ourselves on 7/30 and can help with groceries, food, etc. on that front. Hang in there...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 1:14 PM

      (this is Lara)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 2:27 PM

      Thinking of you and the whole family, Esther! This new challenge sounds crazy-hard, but we hope the medical staff will help you get back on your feet asap. We are rooting for you from here, and happy to help out however we can, as soon as we are back from Belgium. - M&M&S&A

      Delete
  11. AnonymousJuly 29, 2022 at 7:14 PM

    Katie and I have been following this quietly, but we are thinking of you. This sounds particularly terrifying, and we’re so glad you were able to get to a hospital. Wishing you well and hope to see you soon.
    Love,
    -Simon & Katie

    ReplyDelete

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