This week marks another anniversary for me—seven years since I was fortunate enough to survive a heart attack caused by blood clots. It all began on September 16th, a Saturday when Nebraska lost to Northern Illinois (hello, Notre Dame).
The following day, the Broncos fell to the Buffalo Bills, and by Monday, I found myself in the hospital, unable to walk and experiencing chest pain. To make a long story short, I had a DVT in my right calf and a pulmonary embolism due to a blood clot lodged in my right lung. The doctor explained that the clot had to travel through my heart to reach my lung, and if it had been just a bit larger, you all might never have known me.
While I was in my hospital bed, a doctor mentioned the possibility of surgery to remove the clots from my leg. When I asked about the procedure, he explained they would insert a catheter to suction out the clot and then stitch me up. After he left, I couldn’t help but chuckle. My poor wife, who was struggling to hold back tears, asked what was so funny. I replied, “I can think of a far worse place for them to put that catheter.” She laughed, though she was slightly disappointed yet unsurprised that this was my first thought. Seven years later, I’ve had no issues, so now I share this story as a lighthearted anecdote. However, like an old knee predicting rain, my leg gives me trouble when the weather turns cold.
