DVT

DVT? What is that? Hey! It's Pops newest and latest issue to contend with. Went to see Dr Jones again today for a checkup for Mom. But this morning Pops had a "routine Doppler" on his left leg just to rule out blood clots for the reason for his swelling. We'll lookie here... there was a blood clot or DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) in his left inner thigh. Aside from kidding, this is pretty serious. A DVT can kill you in a minute if it releases to your heart or lungs. I've seen it at my work and it is serious when it releases. I've seen people die from it, and fast. It can mean death- or at least complicated medical issues.
Good news: Mom is doing pretty well and her BP is "manageable" on her current meds. Pops has a chance of having swelling in his left leg to go down if the blood clot is not too old. He was immediately started on Lovenox shots for 5 days and also Coumadin(Warfarin), or as Lone Star calls it "Rat poison" (it really is a form of rat poison)to get his blood thinning. KA went over and went over with them the shot procedure for the next 5 days. Belly shots with a little needle, then hopefully the Coumadin will have kicked in. I was there to but was told I couldn't get any Blog pics of his first shot.
Bad news: Pops already is getting thin skin from the Dexamethasone and now with Coumadin, if he sneezes he will bruise. He has week old bruises that look pretty fresh from just small falls and bangs. It will only get worse if he can't stay upright.
BottomLine: No more nice lymphatic massages with Lorraine at this time but he will do heat packs and heated pool therapy. Also, we will wrap his legs or compress them with TED hose as needed below the knees. Lorraine will help and collaborate with recommendations. She is great with my Dad- or as he would say.."exactly". (Their joke.)