The Project Chick: Project: Recovery

So I'm very embarrassed about how long it's been since my last post. Even given the best excuse I have, I should have been posting on my blog! Just a quick update on why I've been less than active in my wedding planning and in the blog-o-sphere.

Determined to Travel
I planned to spend Easter in St. Louis with Kevin and my future family. The Tuesday before my Wednesday flight to STL I woke up out of bed with what felt like the most intense leg cramp I've ever had. I jumped around for a while, but it didn't go away. This immediately raised a concern with me considering my grandmother had a very similar incident at the onset of her blood clot back in January. I went on to work and dealt with the pain for most of the day. I called in to my gyno since I figured if this was a blood clot, it might have something to do with my using contraceptives. He ordered a blood test, typically successful in detecting blood clots. The doctor himself called me that evening (while I was having a pedicure and having the painful spot on my leg massaged) and told me that the test came back negative, that I should be good to go on my trip. My instincts told me to pursue it further, that I really felt it was a blood clot, but I knew if it was, I wouldn't be able to go on my trip (can we say stubborn).

Easter in St. Louis
Throughout the entire trip to St. Louis, I enjoyed myself but was in pain for most of the time. Visit to the zoo, shopping trips, engagement photo shoot, all these activities I did but while wincing with the pain in my leg. I even visited a lovely little dress shop (that will get its own post) with my future mother-in-law.

By the time Easter Sunday rolled around, it was nearly unbearable to get out of bed for church and I even had to partially sit during the kneeling parts of Mass. As I flew back Monday, I had to hobble through the massive Atlanta airport. I was offered a wheelchair but declined. I visited another dress shop Monday in Mobile when I landed. When we finally got home Monday afternoon, I was exhausted and in pain. Monday night I asked my parents to take a look at my legs and see if anything looked strange. Unbeknownst to me, my left leg was swollen nearly twice the size of my right and it was red. I went to the ER immediately.

Hotel de Hospital
I was admitted to the hospital Monday night with nearly 100% blockage of blood clots in my left leg from my knee to my ankle. Scary. Stuff.

Changes

I stayed there through Wednesday and am now home adapting to life on blood thinners. Injections in my stomach twice a day and bloodwork a few times a week to get my Coumadin levels were they should be. My diet no longer can include foods high in Vitamin K (my favorites) like leafy veggies and green stuff. :(

I plan to do some retroactive posting about the recent wedding developments including bridesmaids receiving and accepting my invitations, dress shopping, etc.