Sulima
Terry, I was in a bad car accident two years ago. My safety belt kept me from being ejected from the vehicle but my knees slammed into the dashboard. No x-rays were ever taken of my legs to determine if I had suffered any internal injuries. I experienced pain and swelling of my legs, particularly the left one. My doctor referred my to a physical therapist. After twelve sessions of massages and aerobic machine workouts, I was told to elevate my legs if I continued to experience swelling and to use ice packs. A year later I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was stunned by the diagnosis because other than the periodic swelling of my calves and ankles plus a couple of skipped periods during the previous year, I experienced no overt symtoms of cancer. During a total hysteroctomy to remove a large tumor, I suffered a lung embolism. I was told afterwards tha a large blood clot had formed in my lower left leg and broke off during surgery traveling to my lung. The surgeon inserted a filter to prevent future clots from causing another embolism and I was place on Coumadin for a year. My Oncologist said that my leg vein suffered valve damage and my leg would never return to its normal size, something I'm still struggling to accept. My leg suffers from serious swelling, discoloration, muscle cramps and a constant burning sensation. I have problems walking without the aid of a cane and I have a frightful finding shoes that fit. I'm desperately trying to find more detailed information about this condition and how others cope with it.My doctor don't know if the blood clot was a result of the accident or the cancer. I'm now fearful of developing more clots or losing my leg altogether.