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
Hatzibbur Hacharedi moves
4 days ago