personal update

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Some of you may recall me mentioning a leg issue over the last few weeks, well it got worse at the weekend so today I availed myself of the services of the NHS.

You don't need the gritty but the long and short is that I have a venal blood clot in my thigh. It's a wonder it hasn't done for me with my riding over the last few weeks but the expert's seem to think the prognosis is reasonable.

It does mean that pretty much everything I had planned to do this year is now on hold. Indeed it's likely to be September before I can seriously even think of riding with any real intent again. I'm not wanting sympathy but just a warning - I've never, in forty years had that long off riding so I might get a bit antsy!

I guess it will mean more writing time - I can't even contemplate a decent walk until Easter. It also means I'll be organising my affairs - just in case, bit morbid but i'd hate for my scribbles and various collections to be lost when I shuffle off.

That's it, just thought -I'd put it out there as a 'just in case'.

Bye for now
Mads

Comments

bestest wishes

Podracer's picture

All one can do is take the most intelligent care of the bod and see what occurs after. Is there other physical activity permitted?

"Reach for the sun."

I can't stand

Maddy Bell's picture

So I can lay recumbent and blink for now - oh and eat - not that I have much appetite at the moment.

Medics didn't say anything but I went from diagnosis to treatment in less than 3 hours - I was very impressed! By that I'm guessing there was a degree of urgency so all I can do now is sit and worry.

Mads


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Madeline Anafrid Bell

Glad you got a diagnosis

so quickly.
Sometimes, all the NHS Ducks get in a row and you get the prize, a speedy diagnosis...
But it sucks big time to be laid up like that.

I and everyone here hope that you do recover speedily.
{and don't forget those backups!} :) :) :)

just in case

just in case something bad happens to you, could you fix it so that this site finds out what happened, like a hospital or (god forbid) pass away. so many author's just disappear with nobody knowing what happened. you are a popular author and I believe that if something bad happened to you their are those who will either visit or honor you. I hope you will stay alive and healthy till you are 100 years old.

thanks

Maddy Bell's picture

For the sentiment.

I have several friends on here who i'm in contact with and should hopefully be informed of my uncertain demise! That's the sort of stuff I'll be making sure is in place.


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Madeline Anafrid Bell

Sorry to hear this.

Hello Mads
I was sorry to read this and wish you a speedy recovery..

With regard to being a bit of a clot, would clotted cream help?

Lots of love

Anne G.

as

Maddy Bell's picture

It seems to be almost random i've not got any dietary restrictions (thankfully) other than being almost housebound atm.


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Madeline Anafrid Bell

Sorry to hear that, Maddy. I

Sorry to hear that, Maddy. I know how I would feel in a similar situation. Hang in there. I have confidence that things will work out well for you.

Kris

{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}

You have my sympathies

I was in my last 4 hours of a flight back from Korea to the US and I felt this deep ache starting to form in my leg and it was starting to really hurt. I wound up standing for the rest of my flight home as I suspected it was deep vein thrombosis even though I've never had it before. It worked and the pain subsided, thankfully, but I still remember that pain.

if only

Maddy Bell's picture

I had been more aware of the symptoms I would likely have gone to the medics much sooner!

In my defence it's something I associate with either other health issues - diabetes, lung disease etc and/or flying. I last flew at the start of December and that was a short 1 hour job so when the initial symptoms started - apparently after a long bike ride, I assumed it was muscular. No one else suggested otherwise, after all, as an active person pulls and strains are fairly common.

It was only the failure of a reasonable recovery and secondary features ie swelling of the lower leg that alerted me to something more serious. That was just last week - clearly the fact i've been riding for much of the time has then put me at high risk. I'm effectively housebound atm as its painful to stand/walk.

According to the hospital, where I am now is - well not good. The blood thinning meds i'm now taking have a 50% success rate with a further 50% chance of complications. So I could be fixed quite quickly or die with almost no warning in the same period.

I'm a rare visitor to the medics - two bike accidents and a dose of pneumonia since 1983 so i'm hardly a hypochondriac!

As you might imagine, I'm more than a little anxious right now. I know I need to be writing as I reply on that for income but I can't concentrate to get words down. My thoughts are all morbid, I can't plan anything, do anything active, I'm reliant on public transport as I don't drive. Everything I had planned/booked has had to be cancelled so I don't even have stuff to look forward to!

Thanks for everyone's best wishes, they are appreciated.


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Madeline Anafrid Bell

Stream of Consciousness

erin's picture

Don't do any directed writing, just write what is going through your head. Don't worry about what it is, you can always hit delete. Think about good things as much as you can and write what you can down. If you're not getting calmer and more focussed in a few minutes, take a break and do something else. Try it again later.

This is how I get past worry and depression. Sometimes poetry happens, sometimes a story. Sometimes just a screenful of garbage that gets deleted. You're a writer, writers write.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.