One Very Long Road

There was a bit of a setback this week. After a trip to the emergency room and another hospital stay, only 3 days, we learned that Lauren has developed a blood clot in her right calf. While this is very serious and a side effect we thought we were long past, we are glad to have discovered it when we did. With an impending flight home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, things could have gone quite differently. Risk factors for blood clots include recent surgeries, open fractures, recent air travel, immobility and birth control pills. All of which pertain to Lauren. Even her nurse in Chicago was shocked that this would occur so long after surgery. The result is a regiment of Lovanox (an injected anticoagulant drug) and coumadin (an oral anticoagulant) for at least 3 months. Coumadin is a very serious drug. The simplest kitchen accident can cause a coumadin patient to bleed to death. Honestly? How much more must she endure? And us as worried parents? I am certain that this is my penance for all the unscrupulous things I have done in my life. I only wish my daughter did not have to suffer for my indiscretions. Rick, Lauren and I all understand this could have been worse. She could have had a head injury or a spinal cord injury. And I always try to look at the glass as being half full, but enough already. When will the screams from across the lake stop haunting me? And when will my daughter walk again?