Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Believe in Miracles

Grab this related post Widget!
It's amazing how life can sometimes change in the blink of an eye. My last post described a lovely walk through the neighborhood. Two days later all hell broke loose.

Cynthia was experiencing shortness of breath on Tuesday but we didn't think much about it because she had had a couple of similar episodes since we returned to Ecuador in July. We figured probably more altitude adjustment. After she got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and lost consciousness we were in the emergency room at the IESS (Ecuador's national health care system) hospital first thing Wednesday morning.

After a l-o-n-g day and many tests an echocardiogram found a blood clot in the right side of her heart. A CAT scan found another on the left side. The official term for this condition is bilateral pulmonary embolism. Then an ultrasound of the leg where she had previously had a clot nine years ago revealed a third in her groin. The level of apprehension and stress we felt were beyond description.

Our dear friend and personal physician Dr. Pablo Parra quickly took charge of her care. She was immediately given anticoagulant injections, oxygen, and pain meds. Because of all the monitoring and medications being administered she was placed in a private room--a luxury since patients in IESS are normally in triples.

There has been concern recently in the expat community about IESS. I can tell you Cynthia received world class treatment that greatly contributed to saving her life.

I'm thrilled to report that after a week of excellent care Cynthia is doing great and was discharged this afternoon. She has now switched to oral anticoagulant medication for the next six months or more. There was no damage to her heart and she'll be able to resume normal activities as her strength improves in the coming days.

This whole episode is really a miracle and we feel so blessed considering the circumstances. We will be eternally grateful for the kind and professional care she received.

Please send healing thoughts and prayers her way as Cynthia continues to recover from this terrifying episode.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Thinking of you and Cynthia Edd!

Rono said...

Im so glad to hear she's okay. Thinking of you two in California.

With lots of love,
Rono and Breci

Unknown said...

Wow, just when everything is going so well. I am so happy for you both. Having been through a similar problem with Edna, I can empathize with you. Hang in there, Cynthia, obey your doctors, and I hope to see you soon! Lawrence

David L. Akins said...

Believe in miracles? Absolutely! We pray for a quick recovery.

David & Karen Akins

Nancy Watson said...

You two have so much to grateful for. Sending warm thoughts of healing to Cynthia.

Connie Pombo said...

Much love and prayers to you both! So thankful that Cynthia received such wonderful care and that she's on the mend.

Edd Staton said...

Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement we've received here and through email. We're so happy she's home and she feels great!

Andy said...

Praise God!
You two truly are blessed!

Unknown said...

Scary for sure. Do they know she developed the clots? Things to avoid etc. I have had two, one due to surgery, the other due to a broken leg. When travelling by air I get up and walk around every two hours to be safe, by car we stop at rest stops. So glad that Cynthia is on the mend. Cheers to you both.

Living in Cuenca Ecuador. said...

Edd and Cynthia, I am so glad to hear that Cynthia is better, that our God will continue to protect her.

Patty Grimm said...

How frightening this was for both of you. So glad that Cynthia is healing well and will fully recover. And glad that you can relax now, knowing that she'll be okay.

Take care and God's blessings to you and Cynthia.