Pulmonary What?

Pulmonary embolisms (PE) have hit the news this past week. First Jerome Kersey, formerly NBA star of the Portland Trailblazers died from PE and now Chris Bosh is out for the season with PE. PE, or blood clots to the lung are very serious. According to the CDC, about 10-30% of people die from PE within one month of diagnosis. I know because in July, 2008 I had an episode of PE.

The quick version is that I had fractured my ankle playing baseball but then did not get it looked at for a week before I went to the hospital for an X-ray. They then immobilized and casted it creating what my doctor brother called a "blood pool factory". After a few weeks, we were on vacation in Indiana when I developed severe cramping to my chest which I called "the worst runners cramp I ever had". Fortunately with a medical doctor in the house (my father-in-law) and a nurse spouse, they diagnosed it correctly and got me right to the hospital. I was diagnosed with two PE clots, one which was deemed severe. The doctor told me likely if I hadn't gone promptly in, I would have died.

I spent five days in the hospital and then was on coumadin for amount nine months which thins out the blood making the risk of nonoccurrence much lower. Some people have to stay on coumadin for life. The problem with coumadin is that it actually is a risk by itself. When on this, you bleed abnormally. For example, I bit my nails and sometimes if I hit a cuticle, I can bleed for an hour. So if you are active and you have an accident, you can bleed internally for a while. That is why people on this drug have to be extra careful and why rumors of Bosh's retirement surfaced because he may have had to stay on coumadin.

The question you have to ask is whether it is better to be alive or less active. When I was discharged from the hospital, I had a series of tests which determined a slight proclivity for me to have clots. However, I determined that I did not want to compromise my active lifestyle (biking, baseball, etc.) so I was willing to take that risk.

So what are the lessons from what I learned from my experience with PE:

1. A realization that life can end at any moment. I had never experienced anything life threatening and having now had that, I have a much greater appreciation for the brevity of life.
2. I have also learned to experience and treasure relationships much more. As author Pat Morley says, I have an appreciation for who will be at my funeral.
3. I have learned that life is worth living to the fullest. I have not stopped playing baseball despite my accident (although I am more cautious about sliding which is what caused my ankle fracture).
4. I am more sensitive to those with illnesses and ailments (2 Cor. 1:4). I know what PE is firsthand.
5. Most of all, I know where I am going when I die. I have placed my trust in Christ for forgiveness so I don't fear death. If you have that reassurance, you can live life here because you have life to come. I hope you have that reassurance. If not, you can.