In my last post, I mentioned my blood pressure was unusually high. Since that post, my breathing has become more labored, and my fatigue has been off the charts. My chest was also beginning to hurt. It’s like a cramping feeling with pressure. My heart was OK. Was something wrong with my lungs?
At my Pulmonary appointment, the NP suggested we walk around the office while she monitored my blood oxygen levels. On starting our second lap, the pain in my chest began to feel worse, and I had a hard time catching my breath. My oxygen level plummeted to 89%. I was on the cusp of reaching the point where they would suggest oxygen.
Instead, I was scheduled to have a CT Angio. I was not in any way anxious about this scan. There’s no way I had a blood clot in my lungs. As I left the radiology office, I half expected to see a notification that test results were ready to view – meaning nothing was wrong.
Lungs, Why Are You Betraying Me?
It wasn’t long after I got home that my phone rang. Still not concerned. It was my Pulmonologist. She called to tell me I had several small blood clots in the left lingular subsegmental pulmonary arteries. I had to start a blood thinner immediately.
I was floored. This was not how I expected the day to go. Definitely not that call or those results. BUT – at least there was an actual reason for why I had all these symptoms.
Answers Lead To More Questions
Now all I can think about is, why? What caused this? Both of the medications I take for the cancer have a possible side effect of pleural effusions. Is it a fair assumption that this would happen after seven years on the same meds?
Could the cancer have woken up and become active again? OR is it as simple as I previously had a DVT when I was first diagnosed, and I’m at a higher risk? Regardless, I would like to know why or what caused this, but I may never know.
As for now, scans will be in March. Hoping to have a very UNeventful February.
Susan,
Cancer in itself is a predisposing condition for blood clots. I know all about this all too well. You may want to check out Stop the Clot. They have a lot of info on this. A month after I completed 30 radiation treatments, I ended up in the hospital with multiple blood clots in both lungs. I know how this makes you feel. Not being able to breath is the worst. Three weeks after I was released, the blood clots had cleared (I’m permanently on Xarelto) but I was back in the hospital with heart failure. I’m doing great now. I have to leave right now, but I may try to contact you later.
Thank you for sharing. I did have a DVT about 10 yrs ago. I was on blood thinners for about 2 yrs and then told I could stop them. I probably shouldn’t have, but it felt good to have my med list decrease by one. Glad to hear you’re doing well. Thank you for reading!