My, How Time Flies...

Wow! I didn't realize that it's been almost a month since I last wrote. I kept thinking I was going to get caught up and things just happen. So, let's see if I can remember what has happened.

Well, I can tell you this much...on October 14, I was rear ended. Of course the first thing I thought was "Oh, no! My back!" Luckily, the damage to my vehicle wasn't bad, but enough to cost plenty. I thought I was fine, but the next week I started to hurt and as the week went on, it got worse. But it wasn't my back, this time it was my neck. Last spring, two bulging discs were found in my neck and apparently the rear ending aggravated one of them, so I was in pain because of a pinch nerve. So now I am wearing a neck brace and have been told that I have to wear it until I get my MRI results back, which will hopefully be tomorrow or Friday! Thank goodness it's helping though. And I hope I get my vehicle back and soon! I miss it!!

Well, I'm sure there is more to tell, but I've got things I need to do, so I will try to update more this weekend.

Diagnosis

On October 31, 2008, I was admitted into the hospital with a DVT in my lower left leg. Because I was so young and otherwise healthy, the doctor who was overseeing my healthcare assigned a hematologist to me. She came in and said that she was going to do some blood work to see what might have been going on and if this was a fluke thing.

Two weeks later, and a week before our wedding, I was in her office learning of my results and that I had a disorder called "Factor V Leiden" (pronounced: factor 5 li-den). Essentially this is a blood clotting disorder that predisposes me to blood clots. But not only do I have Factor V Leiden, I am homozygous for it. That means I'm at a higher risk for blood clots than those who are heterozygous and those who don't have Factor V at all. I am part of less than 1% of the world that is homozygous for this disorder. My life is no longer like others; it's changed, but it is manageable. I will be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. This is not something that I am excited about, but it was a carefully thought out decision that Casey and I made.

So what exactly is Factor V Leiden? Well, that's a good question. There is lots of info out there, you can certainly Google it. But sometimes it's difficult to find info that is in terms one can understand (unless you are in the medical field). I have found a few examples that might help explain.

1st link: http://www.ruh.nhs.uk/gps/pathology/documents/thrombophilias/Factor_V_Leiden_info_sheet.pdf
2nd: From http://www.oumedicine.com/body.cfm?id=2859 "The factor V Leiden (R506Q) mutation accounts for 95% of the cases of activated protein C (aPC) resistance. It is found in 1 to 5% of the normal population and in 30-60% of patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Heterozygotes for the mutation have a 5- to 10-fold increased risk for thrombosis or 15% lifetime risk for DVT. Homozygotes have a 50- to 100-fold risk for thrombosis or 80% lifetime risk for DVT." 

Remember, I am homozygous. So, yeah, I hope you have a better understanding. I am always open to discussing it. It's not something that is well known; however, I am beginning to know or get in touch with more people who have it (especially through Facebook). Thanks for reading!

Trying This Thing Again

Hello Again! So...I'm trying this blogging thing again. I have been wanting to update, but I just haven't gotten around to it. I'm starting fresh; mostly since Casey and I are in the process of starting a family and I want to keep everyone updated on how we are doing and how the progress is coming along. So here we go!