The newest edition of Crash The Net features a life update and an in-depth look at my love of the game of hockey.
BETHESDA, M.D. -- I realized something wasn't right a couple of months ago.
I was taking in the dog days of the offseason; the Washington Capitals coverage doesn't end with the season finale, of course, but there are no more daily trips to the rink for a couple of months. It was a nice break, especially with my own hockey team getting some spring and summer action in.
To put it in colloquial terms: something was up.
It'd be the middle of the day, and despite getting my full eight hours, I was exhausted and struggling to stay awake. Going for long walks or long summer hangouts with friends felt more and more like a chore. Blood vessels appeared under my skin. I'd struggled with daily migraines for years, but these wouldn't quit. My head was throbbing, making it nearly impossible to look at my computer screen to the point where I'd type with my eyes shut. My fingers would go numb from time to time.
It took a lot of convincing -- from family and myself -- to get it checked out. I'm not a fan of the doctor. Doctors mean needles, and sure, I don't mind a tattoo -- or seven -- but getting a shot or some blood drawn is a different story.
But you get taken care of. That's just part of being an adult. But also: it's key to take listen to your body and take care of yourself.
The doctor and I sat down for a chat. And maybe, just maybe, it could be antiphospholipid syndrome. The condition occurs when the immune system makes antibodies that accidentally attack your own tissue, leading to blood clots.
And with that, I'd have to go on anticoagulants, which would mean any bump, any bruise, any hit could cause some serious damage.
"We'll see if I can say if you can play hockey again," he mentioned casually like it meant very little in terms of the big picture.
And maybe for the normal patient, it wouldn't carry as much of a toll. But to me, those words meant everything. Taking the ice is the highlight of my week. It's an honour to wear the "C" for my team, and scoring the occasional goal, racking up penalty minutes (and somehow, some points) and chirping are all fun and games. But mostly, it's about my family in the dressing room.
Back in March, I'd never met any of the guys or girls I was thrown into the locker room with to form a new team in a well-established league. We're brothers and sisters now, and no matter what the scoreboard says at the end of three periods, playing for each other and giving our all is a win in our books.
Eight tubes of blood later, I settled in for the longest two weeks of my life. It'd keep me up until 4 a.m. on a nightly basis, which wasn't good for my lack of sleep. Then, the call came.
A negative antiphospholipid test came back, but a borderline positive for another autoimmune disorder. Next stop: the rheumatologist to see what's next. But the great news was hearing the doctor's words after all was said and done.
"Get back out there; you're good to go," he said confidently, assuring me there were no blood clots to worry about.
So why am I writing this? To share some advice. If you feel off, go get it checked out. I was lucky it didn't take away one of my biggest passions, and it was a relief to have an answer to what was happening.
The biggest lesson, though: getting a second opinion could change or save your life, and at the very least, give you some relief or peace of mind. Take care of yourself, call your family and enjoy life. It's okay to ask for help and it's okay to feel off. Life is short; take in as much as you can.
That being said, I'll see you at the rink, whether that be reporting or skating. Either way, I'm cleared for contact.
So, let's do that hockey.
- Sammi Silber, 79