So, it wasn't COVID after all

 

About a week ago, I wrote that I thought I had COVID and that my illness was causing vivid dreams.

Well, it wasn't COVID.

I won't go into all the gory details, but after passing out on the toilet three times, I used my Apple watch on Wednesday to call 911. Salina Fire's finest broke into my house (though they left the door intact) and whisked me away to Salina Regional Health Center. Thanks, fellas!

After a CT scan, it was determined that I had a massive blood clot on my lungs. I also had whatever bug is currently going around. 

The ER doc told me that had I not come in when I did, I'd be dead. I got to the ER early afternoon and the procedure to remove the clot was scheduled for 4 p.m. that same day. 

The procedure was interesting. They wheeled me into an operating room where classic rock was playing in the background. I found myself singing along to some of the songs. 

They made an incision at the top of my leg and went up through an artery to the vessels in my lungs and sucked the clot out. I was too busy jammin' to realize when they finished. The whole procedure took maybe an hour.

They showed me the clot, which they had laid out on a card that had a line drawing of the vessels in my lungs. It was a massive, multi-tentacled monster that stretched seven to eight inches across and approximately five inches deep.

I was told that my clot set a record for the largest clot every removed at Salina Regional. I always thought It would be fun to be a record holder, but not like that!

They gave me a photo of the clot on the card. It was suggested by some at the hospital that I use the photo in my Christmas letter! We'll see.

I was sooo pretty in the hospital. ©

As they did with Mom, most of the people at Salina Regional took good care of me. A big shout-out to those who did and assisted with the procedure. You made it seem so easy. Also, a shout-out to the hospitalist, the nurses, and the aides/techs on 3SE. Your kindness and caring during a scary time is most appreciated. (And thanks for listening to and laughing at my goofy and probably not-as-funny-as-I-thought comments!)

Also, a big thank you to my longest-tenured friend, Laurie, who picked me up at the hospital this morning and took me to drag Fe before taking me home! Additionally, thank you to my friends and neighbors who picked up my mail and brought me freshly made chicken soup and a beautiful bouquet of roses.

Finally, thank you to my family and friends near and far for your support, prayers, and good wishes. Each one of you has played a part in helping me through this!

In looking back at the vivid dream I wrote about in my last blog post, I think it was a message from my Mom. As you may remember, in the dream I found myself in the ESU Memorial Union, eventually eating with my Mom, although I never saw her face. All I saw of her was when she was walking away down the long main hallway of the Memorial Union. 

I think she was trying to tell me it wasn't yet my time. 

I guess God still has plans for me here.