American dressage horse breeder Lauren Efford was hospitalized a week ago after throwing up blood. She was diagnosed with a severe ulcer and has been on the Intensive Care Unit for several days. She is now back home to recover.
Efford was ambulanced to Brandywine hospital on Monday night 24 August after throwing up blood. The emergency doctors had to spend half an hour upon arrival, stabilizing her after she lost so much blood. She has been in the ICU unit, where she got a blood transfer and fluids.
The next day, Efford underwent a gastroscopy and the doctors diagnosed her with a 6 cm large ulcer and a blood clot in her stomach.
Lauren's husband Robert Efford has been by her side, but due to Covid restrictions there is a 1 person, 15-minutes visit policy in the hospital.
"Monday night I felt really nauseous, threw up pure blood and felt really weak," Lauren wrote. "Rob called the ambulance, and I could not even sit up, my blood pressure was so low. Turns out I had a huge 6cm ulcer in my stomach, and it was bleeding like crazy. I lost at least 750ml of blood. It took a blood transfusion with 3 units of blood and lots of fluids IV for 4 days to stabilize me, which was prretty scary."
Efford is back home with "War wounds". She wrote that she has a "swollen lip from oxygen mask, thrombitis in my left arm...and at least 20 venipuncture sites. Game plan, GI diet, soft foods, pantroprazole and re-scope in 4 weeks."
Efford is owner of Goldhope Farm in Coatesville, PA, which specializes in the breeding of warmblood sporthorses with palomino and buckskin colour. They bred two licensed stallions, Good as Gold and Heroic Times - out of their foundation mare, Alino Queen (by Michellino). Most recently Furstenbelle (by Furstenball out of Alino Queen) finished fifth at the 2020 U.S. Young Dressage Horse Championships under Nadine Schwartsman.
Related Links
Scores: 2020 U.S. Young and Developing Horse Championships