Last Monday, I found myself in Mass General Hospital (MGH) waiting for an ultrasound on my leg. My left foot had been about 50% bigger than my right foot for about three weeks and my doctor was concerned. (As she said, matched swelling is usually OK...mismatched swelling never is!)

After my leg had been scanned, the tech went off to consult with the doctor, and then came back: "You need to go right back to your doctor's office," she said, "and you need to walk real slow."

OK, got it. I have a clot in my left calf, also known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). And while I feel fine and have no other symptoms (no pain, no redness, no heat), at this moment I now need to proceed slowly. Even though I spent 20 minutes earlier rushing around MGH like a madwoman because I forgot what building my doctor's office is in, and went to the wrong place first. Even though I spent most of March and April traveling. Even though I walked between terminals 5, 6, and 7 at LAX one morning. Even though I've walked the Mall of America and much of Seattle. All since I noticed that my calf muscle was tight.

So, to make sure that I really did go slow, they admitted me to the hospital for a few days...one way to guarantee that I actually get complete bed rest is to put me in a room with only a bed. Jim and Jesse brought me some comfy jammies, my toothbrush, and my laptop. (You know, I really don't like hospitals all that much...I'm sure I'm not the only one. But there's free wireless, room service three times a day, an adjustable bed...it's better than a hotel!)

So what happens now? Well, I don't get on an airplane for awhile, that's for sure. They say it will take about six months until the clot dissolves, although I'll be able to fly before then (but I'm taking the train to the STC conference in Philly). I have to take some new drugs, mostly blood thinners, for the same six months. (These are so much fun...injections for the first week and Coumadin. No Vitamin K for me!) I need to continue working with my feet up, which is something I've done for years. And I need to try to not get cut because I bleed really well right now ;-)

But I'm fine, honest :-) And if anyone needs me...well, it looks like the virtual office (with Adobe Connect) will be getting used!