10th
report from US
Unfortunately we have the difficult task of informing you that Marko
Baloh has been hospitalized. He is in a hospital in Parkersburg, West
Virginia, where he has been taken about 10.30 p.m. Eastern Time yesterday.
He was complaining about chest pains which worried the team greatly.
After consulting Terry Lansdell team they called 911. When Marre arrived
to the hospital EKG was performed to see if he had suffered from a heart
attack. They also drew blood and performed some other tests. Finally
they injected him with a special dye and put him in a CAT scan. That
is how they found out he has a blood clot in his lungs.
The doctors seem to think that this blood clot is a direct result of
thrombosis. When sitting on long trans-oceanic flights a blood clot
sometimes appears in cramped legs of airline passangers. This clot ussually
disolves once legs are strached. Unforutnately the clot can also start
traveling through the veins. If it reaches the heart it may cause a
heart attack. Or, as in Markos case, if it reaches the lungs it causes
chest pains and feelings of suffication. The condition is potentially
deadly if it is not treated.
Treatment can last up to 3 months. However Mare has requested to return
to Slovenia and continue his treatment there. The doctors are still
reluctant to release him. Although they might let him go in a few days.
In which case he is going to receive seringes with a special serum against
blood clotting. On his way home he is going to have to inject himslef
2x a day until he arrives to a hospital in Slovenia.
Marko had only about 450 mi to finish line. He is very disappointed
he is not going to be able to finish the race. And what is even worse
he will not be allowed to race proffesionally for some time. He still
hopes to see the final ceremony and his competitors before he leaves.
Marko is insured by Assistance Coris, as luck would have it. Coris is
an international assitance company and they will help Marko and his
family arranging all medical matters.
We wish Marko a swift recovery.
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