Two events.

Firstly, I went climbing again:

As part of my NHS-approved-appropriate-recuperation-schedule*, and continuing my tour of only the finest quality venues to ease myself back into climbing, I went to Blackwell Halt, and led a F6a+, two F6bs, and tried a hard F6b+ (which was mis-graded as F6b!) but had to rest rather than risk a bigger fall. Overall good fun, I got pumped, I had to do a few pushy moves, but I felt natural on the rock. As before, climbing was fine but slightly tiring, whilst the walk back out up the incline to the A6 was murderation. One rest on the F6b+, three rests on the walk out!

* - this may be a complete lie.


Secondly, I had my consultation with the vascular specialist:

The upshot of it all is:

My progress is going well and proceeding smoothly so far.

Plentiful exercise is good as long as it's comfortable.

I need to be aware of any swelling or similar in my legs (none so far).

The treatment for the clots continues exactly the same.

I will need further blood tests once I'm off the warfarin to check if my blood is predisposed to clotting.

The main IVC vein is severely constricted, either with only a tiny passage with minimal blood flow, or entirely sealed. This is obviously quite weird for me that my vein might effectively stop and restart and do pretty much bugger all :S. The adjacent veins are clearly well developed given how active I've been in my life.

Surgery to open the IVC is not recommended as full reconstruction of that area of the vein would be needed, this is tricky and there is risk of clots and vein damage.

The treatment is likely to be being on warfarin for life, the specialist reassured me this is quite manageable and my life should proceed as normal.

Hmmmmmmmmm!!