I'll start today off by showing you my delicious, healthy, brain food dinner the other night!!
The salmon and broccoli have a molasses glaze and the salmon is topped with toasted sesame seeds! The only "non-healthy" food item here is the breadstick. But I do give myself something off the menu every now and then! But most nights are good brain food. If you're around me you'll know ALL about seafood and veggies!
Salmon is good for the brain because it helps protect the brain and the nervous system from inflammation! The omega-3 fatty acids it contains also is critical for brain development and function.
Studies show that broccoli has an item called 'lutein', a pigment found in all green vegetables, and it helps preserve crystallized intelligence, by protecting the neurons in the brain, Broccoli also contains compounds, such as sulforaphane, that provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and help protect the brain against damage.
That's all the learning I got for you today. Shall we continue on with my journey?
My next doctor notes:
Jess is a 34 y.o. female who presents with her husband for discussion regarding recent DVT and PE.
She was well until early May when she had an unwitnessed fall at work. She was found down for an unknown amount of time. She had skull fracture and subarachnoid hemorrhage and was transferred to UVA. She had prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. During her hospitalization, she underwent bifrontal craniotomy, tracheostomy, peg tube placement.
She developed DVT in the left neck as well as the right popliteal veins. She had multiple instrumentations including bilateral chest tubes. She also had evidence of PE on CTA of the chest. She was started on heparin drip while in the hospital and transitioned to Eliquis at discharge.
She was discharged to rehab but is now home and continuing outpatient rehab. She has had her trach and PEG removed. She is eating and swallowing well. She is not had any further falls. She is making good progress and mobile and doing chores at home including cooking meals. She has tolerated Eliquis without any difficulty.
She has no history of DVT prior to her hospital stay.
During this time, I was with my doctor, she also noted I was wearing a helmet to protect my brain as I had a craniotomy. This is where they removed my top two skull pieces so my brain could properly expand. She also said I had a 'dysconjugate gaze' in my eyes. Also, at this time I was still using my walker to walk around. Remember, I graduated from a wheelchair!!
The following was why I was seeing a hematologist:
RADIOLOGY
May 8
IMPRESSION: |
1. Deep vein thrombosis at the junction of the left internal jugular and subclavian veins. |
2. Superficial vein thrombosis of the right cephalic vein and left basilic and cephalic veins. |
IMPRESSION: |
1. Occlusive thrombus present in the right popliteal vein. |
2. No evidence of left lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. |
May 19
Vascular: |
1. Multiple nonocclusive pulmonary emboli in the right lateral basal, left superior, and left apical posterior segmental pulmonary arteries. No imaging evidence of right heart strain. |
2. Borderline ectasia of the main pulmonary artery to 3 cm, which can be seen in the setting of pulmonary hypertension. |
|
Chest: |
1. Increased overall size of the heterogeneously attenuating subpulmonic pleural effusion, although one of the superior loculations has decreased in size status post placement of a right pigtail chest tube which remains in place. Focus of air in one of these loculations is worrisome for infection. See key image. |
2. New right anterior apical loculated pleural effusion. This is likely amenable to percutaneous drain placement. |
3. New small left subpulmonic loculated pleural effusion with associated passive atelectasis. |
What they are basically saying, is that I have deep vein thrombosis in the vein 3cm away from my jugular and in the right popliteal veins in my thighs. I still have scars from when they were filtered out!! I need to continue seeing this doctor so she can be sure I don't have any more blood clots.
My doctor's lovely assessment is to stop the blood thinners, since I'm mobile again, and switch to baby aspirin! She will see me in 3 months! Joy!
What to look for if you suspect blood clots for yourself or someone you love:
Unilateral leg pain, swelling, or redness or sudden onset chest pain or shortness of breath, any of these symptoms should prompt emergency room evaluation.
Stay safe everyone and keep that brain healthy!!!
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