A Letter from the Publisher

The Scene Goes On After a Pulmonary Embolism

Thank you all for your positive thoughts and support. I want to share a quick update on my journey and recovery.

I was released from the hospital and saw my primary doctor the very next day to review my recovery strategy in detail.

To be completely honest (and this doesn’t paint me in the best light), I first experienced chest pains at an event at Art Ovation on Saturday, November 2nd. At the time, I assumed it was severe indigestion and drove myself home. By the time I arrived, I could barely move, but I went to bed, thinking, “I’ll feel better in the morning.”

Sunday morning came, and while I felt slightly better, I was still in pain. By Monday morning, I was no better, so I finally drove myself to the Emergency Department at SMH.

The triage nurse wasted no time and took me straight to an exam room. They quickly ruled out heart-related issues but suggested further testing, including x-rays. I’ll admit, at that point, I thought, Here goes more of my money.

Four hours later, the Emergency Room doctor informed me I needed an MRI due to a slightly elevated bloodwork indicator. Again, no clear explanation at the time—just more tests.

A couple of hours later, they informed me I was being admitted. Scans revealed fluid around my lungs, leading to even more tests and, of course, plenty of blood work.

The diagnosis? A pulmonary embolism—specifically, a pronounced clot in the lower center of my left lung, along with several smaller clots in other areas. I spent the next 24 hours receiving treatment to dissolve these clots.

I’m now on blood thinners while they investigate the cause of the embolism. So far, there’s no apparent reason, but I feel incredibly fortunate it was caught when it was.

I’ll be seeing a blood specialist to help pinpoint the cause and a lung specialist to assess any damage. My left lung has a dead spot, but the surrounding tissue is recovering. Occasionally, my heart strains a bit as it adapts to the healing process, but I’m optimistic about a full recovery.

The recovery plan includes medication, ongoing medical supervision, and a focus on maintaining a calm, stress-free environment. For the next two weeks, rest and relaxation are key to giving my lungs the best chance to heal.

I’ll be working from home in the mornings and will return to the office in the afternoons. However, I won’t attend any events until November 19th to allow myself proper time to recover. My goal is to keep both my home and work life as tranquil as possible during this period.

I want to give enormous credit to the Emergency Room team for their diligence and expertise. I had no symptoms or prior conditions that might have suggested I was at risk for a blood clot in my lungs, yet they identified the problem quickly and took the necessary steps. The care I received on the 5th floor was also excellent. While I consider myself a good patient, I know I asked a lot of questions, and they were endlessly patient with me!

My primary doctor has been incredibly thorough and explained just how serious my situation was. I have full confidence in her recovery plan and feel optimistic about what lies ahead.

We are so fortunate to live in a community with excellent medical institutions and a strong support network.

Thanks again for your kind words and well wishes. The Scene goes on.

H. John Knowles
Sarasota Scene Publisher