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Monday, January 25, 2010

A Bit of Pain Is a Big Pain (in the 'you know what')

One moment I was fine, the next I was in agony. 

Motza"sh (Saturday night, after Shabbat), I was moving along when, all of a sudden, I felt shooting pain in my left hip/thigh.  I had not fallen or banged into anything, so I assumed I just pulled a muscle, though I could not figure out how.

I hobbled along, doing what needed to be done for a few hours.  Then I got nervous.  What if the pain got worse on the retreat, when I would be on the Carmel mountains, miles away from home (and Sha'are Zedek, my hospital of choice)?

I called the family doctor on call.  After I described my condition, he asked me a bunch of question, including whether there was any swelling.  I did not know, so I checked.  I reported that my thigh was swollen;  the swelling was mild, but definitely noticible.  "You need to go to the hospital now," the doctor informed me.

I did not want to go to the hospital.

"Is it necessary?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"You might have a blood clot;" he responded, matter of factly, "you tell me."

So, with nothing ready for the retreat, Moshe and I left our kids and paid a visit to the emergency room.

Ironically, the family doctor was at Sha'are Zedek, in the ER, with a relative of his.  Despite being there for personal reasons, he talked to the head of the ER and made sure they were expecting me.

When I got to the ER, I met the woman from oncology who coordinates my bone study.  She was also there for personal reasons, accompanying a friend of hers.  She also helped make things smooth for me.

I introduced the family doctor and the research coordinator.  It turns out the doctor's relative is also an oncology patient, so she helped them as well. 

I had an ultrasound -- no blood clots, thank God!
They took some X-rays -- no fractures or broken bones, thank God!
An orthopedist examined me -- he could not find any particular problem, Thank God!

I got the "all clear," to leave and go on my retreat.

I will have to see a doctor, and possibly an orthopedist, when I get back.  But there is no rush and no immediate concern.

I'm still in pain, but I can live with that.

I am so happy that I did not have to miss the retreat!



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

12 comments:

Henya said...

So happy that it turned out not to be life threatening. I too had a clot alarm a few days ago. Is it not wonderful how all this people were there when and where you needed them.
Hope you enjoy the retreat.

Mindy said...

Before cancer, we could have aches, pains, throbs and headaches and not worry. Now we can't. I'm so thankful you had a happy ending!

michele said...

If you had to rush to the ER, at least your doctor and the bone specialist were there too to ease the way. Now that's a coincidence.

You know what they say: Coincidence is just Gd's way of remaining anonymous!

SuperRaizy said...

Baruch Hashem that you are OK. Stay safe!

Ranting Zelda said...

happy to hear that you didn't have a clot. doctors jump to tht worst conclusions over the phone. i remember one doctor telling my sister over the phone,that i was probably niscarrying. at the time i was experiencing some pain but it went away when i rested.

mikimi said...

I'm glad u r B"H ok and off to have a good time!
only good news!

Anonymous said...

BH, BH. So pleased for you. Enjoy the retreat! LOL Na'amah

Pam Mattick Art and Stuff said...

Love your blog, praying for you.
Hugs and Blessings,
Pam
also at http://faithfolk.blogspot.com

Liba said...

I am glad you were able to come to the retreat. It wouldn't have been the same without you.

Love to you.

Liba

Batya said...

B"H, amazing planning G-d did for you with everyone waiting.

Anonymous said...

I'm SO happy for you too, RivkA!!! A blood clot... that's all you would have needed.

Happy Retreating, honey.

Love ya~ Andrea
xoxoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Sounds to me like another case of hashgach pratis that everyone was there for you. :)