Some of you know that I have a DVT (blood clot) and two pulmonary embolisms before surgery because of pneumonia. You might remember that I've been on coumadin since last June because of those clots. I had an appt with my pulmonary doctor yesterday and he told me that I could refuse to continue taking the coumadin. He couldn't NOT prescribe it because my test results still say I'm high on clot factor, but with my weight loss and activity level, he wouldn't argue with me if I refused the medicine, so I refused it.

As a precautionary measure, he ordered an ultrasound of my legs, the site of the blood clot before. I had that ultrasound today and my legs are not only clot free, the tech couldn't even tell where the clot had been!!

She also complimented me on the amount of muscle in my thighs, although that muscle made it harder for her to do the ultrasound.

I'm a happy and HEALTHY girl today!! I think I can predict that I will outlive the death sentence the doctors handed me last year! THAT is worth a happy dance all on it's own!!!

Congrats Lissa, that is amazing!

Yah!!!! That's awesome!!!

That is wonderful Lissa ! So, are you still taking the coumadin ?

Nope, Spatters. I stopped Coumadin on April 10 because it has to be out of my system a month for the blood test to assess my clot risk. The test shows that my risk is still high, but I refused the coumadin therapy because it can cause bleeding issues. Since I'm much more active now and I've lost almost 100 pounds, my doctor was fine with my refusal. He actually suggested that I might want to refuse the coumadin and for what reasons.

Oh wow. I don't even know you and that made me a little teary. So awesome, I'm so happy for you!

How will clotting be monitored moving forward? (Just to be safe...)

That is so wonderful!

BKMama, I have been very diligent about letting him know about anything unusual, so we're both pretty confident that I will continue to be diligent about that. I'm not off his patient list yet, so I'll still be seen at least every 3 months. He does a thorough assessment of me at every visit (wish my guy would be as thorough as my doctor, lol) and with my activity level, the doc is confident that I will not have another clot anyway. My last clot was caused by a combination of pneumonia and inactivity. With 2 cardio workouts a day, we both think that won't be an issue.

This is a wonderful NSV!! Congrats to you!!!

What a wonderful victory! Now we know you'll be here for all us preops when we join you lol

What a wonderful blessing!

That is wonderful news!!! Congrats

Lissa,

I also had a history of clots before surgery. So for the sleeve they put in a IVC filter in my jugular (sp?) vein to make sure if I got another clot, it would hopefully filter it out before it got to my heart or lungs. Then several months after surgery, they removed the filter. Did you have one of those as well?

When I was dealing with the clots several years ago, again prior to surgery, I was on Lovinox and then Coumadin for several months. And when the clots didn't disapate, I opted out of the medication as well. The doctor's couldn't tell me if the clots would ever go away, even if I stayed on the thinners for life. I felt good about the decision and since my sleeve I have been retested and am officially clot free!!

I wish you luck in your journey, it really sounds like you are doing well!!!

Oh Lissa, that brought tears to my eyes. I'm so happy for you!!!

As a Phlebotomist, I know how icky that coumadin can be. Congrats on no longer having to have your blood take 1-4x a month just to check on that medicine! That is a HUGE accomplishment!!! So proud of you!

BKMama, I have been very diligent about letting him know about anything unusual, so we're both pretty confident that I will continue to be diligent about that. I'm not off his patient list yet, so I'll still be seen at least every 3 months. He does a thorough assessment of me at every visit (wish my guy would be as thorough as my doctor, lol) and with my activity level, the doc is confident that I will not have another clot anyway. My last clot was caused by a combination of pneumonia and inactivity. With 2 cardio workouts a day, we both think that won't be an issue.

Ok cool. I hope you know I wasn't doubting you, I was just curious. I'm so happy for you, that's a huge accomplishment!!