Sarah Nicholas

Sarah began having severe pain in her right arm on 12/11/19 and was taken to the ER on 12/12/19.  By this time she had no feeling or movement in her entire hand.  ER doctors diagnosed radial nerve palsy and sent her home with instructions to follow up with Orthopedics.  The severe pain and numbness continued and upon waking on 12/15, Sarah's fingers were beginning to turn black.  She was taken to the ER again and this time admitted with a blood clot in her right arm.  Dr. Gilbert performed a procedure to dissolve the blood clot, which was successful in restoring function in one of the two major arteries in her arm.  He deemed this to be the best possible outcome under the circumstances.  Sarah was informed that she would lose her fingers.  She spent 11 days in UPMC Memorial Hospital on blood thinners, fluids, and antibiotics.  On Christmas Day she was happily discharged!  She is being visited by a nurse, physical therapist, and an occupational therapist at home.  The doctors are awaiting the complete deterioration of her fingers before amputation.  This could take weeks.  Sarah is seeing her primary care doctor and vascular doctor (Dr. Gilbert) regularly in the interim.  Her spirits are good and she is learning how to do things with one hand.  Fortunately, she is left-handed, though she was taught to write with her right hand.  We covet your prayers for Sarah