That was Weird

So I arrived in Ireland on Friday afternoon. The entire journey was pretty uneventful. Seems that 3.5h is almost the perfect amount of time to go through customs, change terminals, check-in, window-shop for 20 mins, buy a coffee and find your gate in Heathrow. Luggage arrived intact (miracle compared to last year) and Tobie was there to greet me at the airport.  A nice change from the complete meltdown that occurred near the police kiosk in the airport last year as I tried to figure out how much of my belongings had been left on the tarmac in Philly after they drove over my suitcases.

This year, instead of having snot and tears all over my face at the arrivals gate I was getting giant hugs and kisses from a very sexy man in a cashmere sweater. Really, you can't top that. I think 2010/11 is going to be a good year.

Arrived to the new pad and was blown away by how much I love it. It has some beautiful views of the river (photos posted soon) to be enjoyed from our plastic (read: indestructible) furniture. Though I must say, this year it is brown instead of lego yellow and red. 
Tobie has spent the last week unpacking all of our stuff and making the place look cozy. He folded all of my clothes and stylishly  organized them in the closet (thanks to his training as a clerk in Simons) and even set up all my med books in the office. We had a most lovely dinner of smoked haddock (poached), salad, and potatoes.

Tobie really is a great cook. All I could think about from the moment that I stepped off the plane was what an incredibly lucky lady I am. 

It was during the night that things got weird. I went to bed feeling normal-ish. Well, as normal as one feels after being awake for 30+ hours, flying across the ocean, and moving into a new apartment. 

I awoke with a start and all I could think was PAIN!!!!!!!!!

I literally jumped up in a panic PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN!! I was still in a sleepy haze but something was seriously wrong. I was trying to talk but all I could say was "this is the worst, this is the worst, this is the worst, this is the worst". I woke Tobie up with all the thrashing and remember him saying "the worst what? what is going on??"

I had this crazy cramp in my left calf muscle. I mean, C-R-A-Z-Y. Now I am no stranger to muscle cramps, I used to get them from years of highland dancing. You know, the ones in the arch of the foot or calf that are so intense you feel like you are going to vomit? This was different. 

Took some ibuprofen and tried to calm myself down. Eventually the intensity settled but it seemed to hover on the cusp of sliding back into agonizing pain. I suddenly thought...birth control pill + many hours of sitting in cars and airplanes= oh shit, I have a DVT!

The next day my leg felt really strange. Heavy and aching in a dull way in the calf area. I measured my calves and they seemed to be roughly the same size (within a cm), couldn't feel any heat or see any redness. Did have a HELLA positive Homans sign (yes I know, contentiously significant).  Frustrating being here in Ireland because if it were Canada I know I could have a d-dimer and doppler done within hours and know for sure. Here that would involve hassle and me shelling out a LOT of money.

Today I woke up with the pain/fullness/tightness slightly diminished. Now I am wondering, was that just the calf cramp to beat all calf cramps?? So bad that it actually created muscle PAIN for 2 days afterward? Or is it a DVT and should I be on the next unreliable bus to the A & E department? Gah. Thoughts?

At least I could administer my own SC injections...

Boo. This displeases and uneases me. At least everything else is wonderful!