And Dick Cheney Could Die

Diamond Cross · 03-05-2007, 09:27 PM

Seriously, Dick Cheney's life is in serious danger because of a blood clot in his leg. I wish him goog luck and if I prayed, I would pray for him:

Tests Reveal Blood Clot in Cheney's Leg

Mar 5, 8:46 PM (ET)

By BEN FELLER

WASHINGTON (AP) - Doctors discovered a blood clot in Vice President Dick Cheney's left leg Monday, a condition that could be fatal if left untreated.
The 66-year-old Cheney, who has a history of heart problems, will be treated with blood-thinning medication for several months, said spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride.
She said Cheney visited his doctor's office in Washington after feeling minor discomfort in his calf. An ultrasound showed the blood clot - called a deep venous thrombosis - in his left lower leg.
Blood clots that form deep in the legs can become killers if they break off and float into the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis strikes an estimated 2 million Americans each year, killing 60,000.

(AP) Vice President Dick Cheney delivers his remarks at the joint opening session of Veterans of Foreign...
Full ImageMany people suffer DVT after spending long periods without moving, such as passengers on long-haul airline flights. Cheney spent about 65 hours on a plane on a nine-day, round-the-world trip that ended last week.

"When you're just sitting there with your legs hanging down for long periods of time, that's what predisposes you to the problem," said Sean O'Donnell, chief of vascular surgery of Washington Hospital Center.

"Treated properly, it poses a small threat," O'Donnell said. "Untreated and unrecognized, it's a very serious problem."

NBC correspondent David Bloom died in 2003 of a pulmonary embolism after spending days in a cramped military vehicle while covering the invasion of Iraq.

To fight DVT, airlines often encourage passengers to walk the aisles and wiggle their feet. But flying's not the only risk of DVT; it extends to anyone older than 60 or who has heart failure. Recent surgery, fractures, childbirth and taking birth control pills also can raise the risk.

Clots that form in the thigh are more likely to break off and migrate to the lungs than those that form elsewhere in the legs. They can also flow to the heart and cause a heart attack or, in rarer cases, move to the brain and cause a stroke.

Cheney returned to the White House after the medical exam and continued his work day.

"He'll maintain his regular schedule," McBride said. "He feels fine."

Dr. Jennifer Heller, director of the Johns Hopkins Vein Center in Baltimore, said it was good news for Cheney that he wasn't hospitalized.

"He certainly does have a very complex cardiac history, but I would suspect his cardiac function and reserve is good, otherwise they would have kept him," Heller said, adding later, "I am sure they would be more conservative with him."

The vice president's office declined to answer questions about which medicines and blood thinners Cheney uses.

Cheney's health has long been an issue.

In 2005, he underwent six hours of surgery on his legs to repair a kind of aneurysm, a ballooning weak spot in an artery that can burst if left untreated.

He has had four heart attacks, quadruple bypass surgery, two artery-clearing angioplasties and an operation to implant a special pacemaker in his chest.
Doctors initially treat DVT patients with an anticoagulant medicine called heparin. Heparin was long given intravenously but can sometimes now be injected in shot form. That can eliminate or shorten a hospital stay. DVT patients are then given the blood-thinning drug warfarin, which sometimes must be taken for months.

My Way News - Tests Reveal Blood Clot in Cheney's Leg

Donkey® · 03-05-2007, 09:29 PM

Unfortuntely, he won't die.

RMNIXON · 03-05-2007, 09:32 PM

It could be quite serious if it breaks up and travels.

I wonder what is going on at the Huffington Blog today?

ballz2wallz · 03-05-2007, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

Unfortuntely, he won't die.

The fact that you would wish that upon anybody is really disturbing.

ballz2wallz · 03-05-2007, 09:54 PM

And he'll only die if this is left untreated. But he's being treated, so he won't die.

Donkey® · 03-05-2007, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

The fact that you would wish that upon anybody is really disturbing.

Sorry, I am sure you would like me to lie about how I feel? And by the way, I wasn't WISHING it on him...just disappointed in the outcome. Maybe he'll do outpatient at Walter Reed? THAT I DO wish on him.

lew · 03-05-2007, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

Unfortuntely, he won't die.

And yet, you were upset over Ann Coulter calling Edwards a faggot.

Scrum · 03-05-2007, 11:41 PM

I'm not even going to touch this one.

Donkey® · 03-06-2007, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by lew

And yet, you were upset over Ann Coulter calling Edwards a faggot.

What does one have to do with the other?

Pro Street · 03-06-2007, 01:15 AM

oh, darn.

Roonie · 03-06-2007, 09:16 AM

I thought he died a long time ago and a robot has been in his place since?

He has serious heart problems and I wish him the best. A blood clot is exactly how my father passed away. I would not wish that on anyone.

SoFlaJDM · 03-06-2007, 09:22 AM

vp pelosi

lew · 03-06-2007, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by SoFlaJDM

vp pelosi

President appoints a new VP. It wouldn't be Pelosi unless Bush and Cheney died at the same time.

SoFlaJDM · 03-06-2007, 09:30 AM

Stylerod · 03-06-2007, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

What does one have to do with the other?

You would rather have a Republican die then a Democrat called a name. Shows very bad character on your part.

tbone · 03-06-2007, 03:55 PM

Wow, there's actually blood flowing through his veins and not ice water, who knew

All kidding aside, I hope he makes a full recovery. Don't like the man, but he is a man and deserves the respect of every living human being.

JaJae · 03-06-2007, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by tbone

All kidding aside, I hope he makes a full recovery. Don't like the man, but he is a man and deserves the respect of every living human being.

I would agree. I'm not too happy with his job performance, but it's one thing to wish he wouldn't be VP and another to think it's unfortunate he isn't dead.

Donkey® · 03-06-2007, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

You would rather have a Republican die then a Democrat called a name. Shows very bad character on your part.

No, just him...not a random Republican.

Stylerod · 03-07-2007, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

No, just him...not a random Republican.

which shows what type of person you really are.

Donkey® · 03-07-2007, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

which shows what type of person you really are.

Oh well. I think i'll go cry about it. But I will remember the attitudes thrown at me when people like YOU make comments about Sheehan or Gore or Hilary or one of the Kennedy clan etc...