Over halfway there!

[maillotpois]

Well, I have passed the halfway mark in my treatment for my pulmonary emboli! Three more months and I can come off the anticoagulants and start riding again. (I can't ride while on anticoagulants because of the risk of cerebral hemorrhage - a bad thing - if I fall. However, I can spin on a stationary bike, run, hike, whatever else, as long as there's no big risk of head injury. If I fall while running, I will bleed more than a normal person would, but I probably won't die.)

Yay! (I hope - things can always change, but right now the indicators are good.)

I've noticed a fair amount of hair loss in the last few weeks - Velogirl had warned me about this. It is a side effect of the Coumadin I am on (which is literally rat poison.) Fortunately, I have a lot of hair!

I also have secondary pulmonary hypertension - high pulmonary artery pressure caused by the blood being pumped out of the heart meeting up with the resistance of the clots. I had a second echocardiogram a week or so ago and the PA pressure was much better than it was in the hospital (but still high), which indicates the clots are getting smaller. Yay!

Since I can't run, and I am sort of a freak anyway, I am doing the Nike Women's Marathon on 10/22. I decided to do this about six weeks ago and to raise money for Leukemia/Lymphoma Society after having dinner with a leukemia patient friend of mine who went through a really rough time over the winter and spring and is now much better (again, yay) and I decided, well, heck he's gone through such a hard time, I have to get off my butt and do SOMETHING. Raising money for the cause always picks up my spirits.

My doctor said with the pulmonary artery pressure issue that I might have less endurance than I otherwise would. This was after I told her about the marathon and she looked at me as if I'd started speaking Chinese to her. I haven't noticed a loss of endurance - but I'm keeping my exercise intensity level lower than before.

So that's my story.

[SadieKate]

I noticed the blue toe nails (the naturally caused ones) aren't mentioned here. Are you running during the week now or just being a weekend warrior?

What's after the marathon? What can we do to keep you on the straight and narrow, and entertained to while away the time?

[maillotpois]

Clean forgot about the toes! Yeah, I've lost 2 toenails. Must be a side effect of the anti-coags (easier bruising) because in 15 years of running and 3 marathons before this I never lost a toenail. SK keeps me honest!

After the marathon? MWBR. Maybe I'll swim the English Channel. No more chocolate factory tours, though, I can tell you!!

[Fredwina]

just don't something really insane to celebrate, like riding you bike up Glendora Mountain Road (who, me?) Although it sound like you're already there.....

[Bikingmomof3]

Wonderful news! I would tell you to try and take it easy, but it does not sound as though you will. You are my inspiration. I just may have the courage to tell my neurologist on the 18th that I plan to train for a triathlon.

I am looking into marathons or I do not know, something around here to keep me busy. My new meds make my BP so low I feel faint, which is not so good on a bike. Oh the joys of trying to keep the vessels in my brain happy.

[cherinyc]

Clean forgot about the toes! Yeah, I've lost 2 toenails. Must be a side effect of the anti-coags (easier bruising) because in 15 years of running and 3 marathons before this I never lost a toenail. SK keeps me honest!

After the marathon? MWBR. Maybe I'll swim the English Channel. No more chocolate factory tours, though, I can tell you!!

"MWBR"?

[Deanna]

Hey Sarah,

I was wondering when you could get back on the bike. Good to see your at the halfway point.

Deanna

[maillotpois]

"MWBR"?

Sorry! It's a Lise-ism: "more will be revealed".

[Selkie]

Wow, that's super. Your attitude is great and your New Year "gift" will be getting back on the bike again. Sending lots of good thoughts your way!