big arm -- update

After the ultrasound, they handed me the scans and told me that Dr Cairoli wanted to see me in his office.  Obviously, there was something wrong... otherwise, they would have just sent me home, right?

I drove over to the office and met with Dr Cairoli.  I have a blood clot, which is a somewhat common complication that occurs with a port.  Because they've surgically implanted a port in my chest (for chemotherapy infusions), my body is not quite sure what to do and a clot has formed near the port.  Fortunately, I noticed the symptoms right away (swelling/soarness/tightness in my right arm) and called the doctor.  They were able to start me on treatment immediately to try to break up the clot.

1. I'll start with Lovenox injections, once daily for 5-6 days.  This will quickly thin my blood and, hopefully, break up the clot
2. I'll begin taking Coumadin as well.  This is a daily pill and I will take this for as long as I have the port.

Both of these drugs work to thin your blood and prevent clots.  Of course, this means I have to be very careful about cuts and bruises... but, hopefully, it will allow me to keep my port in.  I would hate to have to go back to weekly IV's in my arm!