Blood clots

Hah! Bet you didn’t think you’d hear from me twice today.

David complained of pain in his arm, near his PICC (IV) line. (He has had a center line port in his chest for blood draws and chemotherapy for a year, but the staph infection two weeks ago developed around the port, so they had to surgically remove it and switch to a PICC line in his left arm.) So, we had an unexpected visit to MGH (outpatient at least) for an ultrasound. He has several clots in two different veins. He’ll start on a blood thinner, given daily by hypodermic needle into his belly. He’ll do that at home. Right now they’re giving him platelets proactively. His platelet count yesterday was 23, which has been fine, but with the blood thinner they want it to be near 50. They’ll check it twice a week and give platelets as needed.