Last Resort

(3)

I was impressed with the female physician who ordered the DVT test, and after firing my previous PCP I inquired whether she was 'taking new patients.' They said that she wasn't, so I selected another PCP at random. Since then I have been making regular visits to the KAF so that they can check my blood coagulation rate. Which brings us up to date.

The real danger of venous blood clots is that they can break loose and travel to the heart, brain, or lungs, causing death or worse. I think, looking back on my symptoms, that a small piece of the clot did indeed break loose and lodge in my lungs, resulting in the lack of stamina which I described previously concerning my bike rides. In fact, it was that episode which caused me to visit Kaiser in the first place. Swollen leg... Shortness of breath... Just how much of a clue does a physician need?

The lesson I learned from this is that your physician would rather let you die than resort to Google.