I Get to Keep It

Went in again on Monday for the next (and LAST) procedure to have the filter removed - at last. The interventional radiologist was confident that it would not be a problem to get it out, so I, too, felt pretty good about it.

In the meantime, still bleeding from the puncture site one week later. Everyone tells me "it's a vein - it should not bleed". However - clearly it is still bleeding. They decided to do an ultrasound to check it out and, turns out, they "nicked" a little artery when they punctured the vein behind my knee. This was the source of the bleeding. So, after my procedure, the doctor injected some Thrombin (coagulant) to stop the bleeding. So far, so good two days later. I am pretty confident that issue has resolved.

As for the IVC filter removal - ended up being a no go. Two interventional radiologists working on it decided that it could just not be done safely. The filter, apparently, was placed higher that typical (because of the location of the initial clot). Removing it would be a risk to my heart. As all of this is going on, I am only semi- conscious - nicely sedated. Brad was the "decision maker" on this one, after much discussion with the doctors. So, after all this the filter stays - I get to keep it. Maybe there is a reason it is supposed to stay. I am perfectly OK with that.

I now breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe we can move on now. I feel great - counting the days until I can run again. Happy to be able to now enjoy my maternity leave and put my energy into Emma Claire, baby Arnold and Brad.

I am grateful for all the support and prayers I have received from family and friends. We are quite blessed.