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