Last week, I got a very scary and unexpected text from my older brother: he was being admitted to the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. I was flabbergasted: he's two years my senior, no prior significant medical history, healthy and fit as a horse.
He'd actually had chest pain for two days before it became unbearable. One car was in the shop, so he drove their minivan to the emergency room. He was desatting to the 70's on room air, and they admitted him with a suspected PE. Later, they confirmed multiple emboli and a pulmonary infarct.
I'm very grateful that he went to the emergency room when he did - otherwise, he may (probably) have died. But I'm really uncomfortable that there seems to be no cause behind the blood clots. He'll have further testing at his follow-up appointment, but for now, it seems to be unprovoked. That is so unusual.
Luckily, I deal with this scenario all the time - a patient discharged on blood thinners unexpectedly - and could determine which agent his insurance covered and apply a coupon to it. He lives in Minneapolis, but I called his closest Walgreens and befriended them to make sure he got superb care. I also spoke to his doctor, just to give my therapy recommendations, and he was very nice and concerned. It is somehow vaguely comforting that this is a common problem I see at work, and that there was something I could do: I think it's just human nature to want a role to play in an emergency; nothing is worse than feeling useless.
Meanwhile, my brother's poor wife was home with two babies (ages 1 and 2) and no car! She was a little panicked and not thinking clearly. I told her to call her church - they just moved recently, but what church wouldn't help in this situation? Sure enough, right away they sent a babysitter and someone to drive her to the hospital. It's so sweet when people reach out like this, and I know they were so appreciative!
My brother is home now, but as confused as I am (and exhausted. He's now at 3/4 lung function). We're hoping to know more after a more extensive workup, but for now we're just relieved that he is still alive!
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Glad he's okay. Scary, lucky, all that.
ReplyDeleteSo glad he's ok! That is so scary!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that is so scary. I am so glad he went to the ER! I'm glad you were able to call and talk to his pharmacy and doctor. That way you can feel like you are doing something to help out, albeit remotely. And I am sure he appreciates being able to ask you questions.
ReplyDeleteSide note - I did not know your brother lived in Minneapolis (not that I would have the ability to know such a thing). I hope their transition to this city has gone ok. Sounds like they've found a great church, though, since they were able to help them out in a pinch!!!
Yes, they moved recently when my brother got a job offer he couldn't refuse. I know you love where you live and I think they are enjoying it as well. Quality of life was a big motivator behind the move.
DeleteWow, how scary. I'm so glad he got to the ER in time and that you were able to help both him and his wife with your advice.
ReplyDeleteGlad he's doing better now! That sounds terrifying.
ReplyDeleteThat's horrible. I'm sure your SIL was grateful to have your help - even if it was from a distance. Sometimes all it needs is a calm voice when you're going through something like that. I hope your brother heals quickly.
ReplyDeleteI hope they're able to determine what caused this to prevent another episode. There's a lot of relief in knowing what the problem stems from.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad he's okay and that he went to the hospital! PEs are no joke (as you know) and are absolutely terrifying. I hope they figure something out and that he recovers well - sounds like he has some people willing to help out in the new town, which is comforting.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. I'm glad he's okay now, and I hope they figure out what caused it. And you're absolutely right that it's only human to want to have some measure of control, or feel like you do, in an emergency.
ReplyDelete***PORTUGAL IS A HIGHLY RACIST AND XENOPHOBIC COUNTRY!
ReplyDeleteDO NOT SPEND YOUR HARD, EARNED MONEY VISITING THERE,
OR DOING BUSINESS WITH PORTUGAL!!!
PORTUGAL = RACISM 100%
=======================================================
The portugee economy is in the toilet, and droves of it's citizens are fleeing to neighboring Spain to work just to put food on the table! Those who don't go to Spain are swimming, or jumping on bannana boats to go to Angola or Mozambique just to sell their body for cod to feed their families. The slightly better off portugee are flying to Brasil to live in a favela that is much better than the poor, decrepid conditions they live in now; at least here they can eat.
The portugee are an ignorant bunch stuck in a mental time-warp that only focus on a national soccer team that has never won a single Euro or World Cup and "how" good things were in the distant past rather than focusing on their now deteriorated, non-existant economy, and how bad things really are today.
This is "why" they can't seem to see the log stuck in their eyes but see the splinters in everybody elses eyes. I do find it ironic that they are racist toward Spain, Angola, Mozambique and Brazil only to later go look for a better life in these countries!!
Don't you think calling the Portuguese ignorant is a little...racist?
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your brothers health scare. I don't know what to say that could make you feel better... I hope they figure out the cause soon.
ReplyDelete