What an ordeal!! I hope it all gets better without a lot of meds or surgery. Mini strokes frighten me, my mom had those... Keeping you in my prayers!

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts everyone.

Mrs.D,

Because most of the blood and urine analysis consistently came back within the normal reference ranges, the doctors are 95% sure that the high platelet count is a reactive one; also termed "Secondary Thrombocytosis"
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/206811-overview

RF, ANA, Crp, Liver enzymes, RBC, Hct, B12, Folate, Ferritin, TSH/T4 & T3, urate, plus a bunch of others that I can't remember were all either negative or pretty much in the middle of the reference ranges.

WBC & Neutrophils are slightly out of range on the high side, MCHC is out on the low side, and platelets came in at 804. The comparative reference range for platelets is 160-380 x 10(9)/L.

The cardiologist thought that the clot probably came from a deep vein thrombosis and might not even be related to the high platelet count. Apparently secondary throbocytosis doesn't increase the likelihood of clot formation.

That sounds reasonable because I haven't been able to walk about, or work out on the cross country ski machine as much as I normally do because the hand and wrist joints are too sore to use for support with a cane or to hang on to the ski machine with.
Crumb...I can't even operate a manual can opener or open a bottle of juice because the twisting motion is too painful...if and when I can keep a grip on those things, that is.

I need support to walk because the ankles are also inflamed and painful now, along with the left hip and left knee. Crutches have been working the best because I can put some of the body's weight on the arm pits, but that's only good on level ground or in the house.

Thus, I've been sitting more than normal. Even though I have been doing stretches and lots of contractions for the legs, it obviously isn't enough.
I'm just going to have to get past the pain in the joints and get back to walking and using the ski machine.

I also have a mini trampoline, so I'm going to give that a try as well to see if the lower joints will take it. Even some light bouncing will get the blood flowing better in the pegs. I'd go to the local pool to walk and exercise in the water, as I've done in the past, but the risk of slipping on the deck or catching a bug at this point is too great.

I'm sure that I'll figure something out that doesn't get the joints too upset .

With love, Erika

Poor thing,

Sounds like you've really been through the wringer!

Glad you're home, make sure you rest!

Cindy

Thanks so much for checking in. I just feel like I am back to work, admitting history and physical, progress notes and discharge summary. I think even your idea of taking it easy isn't taking it so easy at times. Take care, we need you

Yea!!! Glad you are home where the real healing can begin :-)

Yey!
I can use the cross country ski machine in mid range by using a crutch on the right side and having it set up so that the left side is next to the kitchen table. I have a rolled up towel on the table that my left hand can be draped over, which allows the wrist to be in a neutral position (the wrist on the left is the worst of the two sides). I'm not leaning on that hand, or on the crutch, but using both sides like that gives the body enough support for balance and steadiness.

I had it set on a very light tension this morning; just enough so that the skid plates wouldn't slide without me making them move. I also wore my ankle hiking boots instead of runners to support the ankles. The combination of light tension and the ankle support from the boots helped to keep the legs in mid range, maybe within a two-three foot stride.

I did really slow, deliberate movements and it went very well. Granted, this isn't going to get me much in the cardio exercise department, but the deliberate leg movements did work the calf, thigh and hip muscles; and got the ankles, knees and hips through some range of motion as well.

The right side felt OK but the ankle and knee on the left one didn't like it, so the stride lengths had to be a little shorter on the left. After 10 minutes I stopped, and now I'll wait to see how those lower joints are tomorrow before trying it again. By then I should know if it will cause more inflammation or not.

Man, I sure hope not. I've got to get these joints working again. I miss working at the clinic and gardening season is fast approaching. For crying out loud...I have plans to build a more permanent green house before spring, but if things don't shape up in a hurry, I'll have to hire someone to build it instead of doing it myself.

Last year at this time, I was out pruning my apple trees in the snow. There's no way that this body could do that now, even though most of the branches are within reach if I put boards on top of the snow to stand on, like I did in previous years.
Even if these hands could carry the boards over to the trees to get it set up (which I don't think they could yet), they'd be busy supporting the body on crutches. Never mind getting the leg joints to walk out on the boards and remain steady, or getting the hand joints to hold on to and manipulate the lopper and saw, if I got that far.

I'm not thinking about this stuff to frustrate myself, but rather to motivate. It does seem that there is such a long way to go...and then I remember how so many of you have pushed on through toward your goals, and continue to do so.
People like Doydie, Blessings, Sally, Barb, Wiz, KittyLady, Debbie, Kitty, Gladys, Ann, Cindy, Mariel, Eddie, Mrs. D, Laura, Texas Batman, Jack and so many others here. You are all a much needed inspiration .
And I can't get a father's words to his daughter with CP out of my head: "Yes you can can."

Yes, I can can...and I will will .

With love, Erika

You can do it!

I had a relapse in 2012 and it took a little time to get over it.. it happened slowly but just this past Sept 2013, I walked 34kms in the the Weekend to End Women's Cancers in Toronto with my team "Johnny Reid's Pink Tartan Army" yeah he is the singer. (swoon) we became friends during the walk... it is my second time doing it. We did it in 6 hrs in the rain no less.. we were soaked.. but so worth it!
If i can do this you can come back, but it takes time.. i want to do the walk again.. but i may not be able to do it this year.. but you never know.

Hugs
Cindy

Erika- Here is the Pointer Sisters' Yes We Can Can song. The refrain is great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVxv6AFt7YM

ANN

"Yes we can can!"

With love, Erika

Erika, I think your goal should be to DO the can-can--pantaloons and all

Seriously, glad you got some movement in…it feels good at the time; then the body yells at you "what did you do to me?"

That's when I have to rest-which is occurring so quickly after I do anything. I cleaned the bathrooms yesterday--shower tiles, floors, the works--and i was cooked the rest of the day. Weak, fatigued…it scares me. I worry that I'll never get my mojo back