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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