The way I understand it, the clot isn't in his vein, ( which leads directly back to the heart), but in his artery, which would have to diffuse out in to the capillaries in his foot.
The danger isn't him stroking out or having a pulmonary embolism, ( clot thrown to the lungs), but having the circulation cut off in his toes to the point of amputation.
As well, his clot is more a mess of dead blood cells from an impact, (like a bruise) not a build up of the last thirty years of cheeseburgers.
For the record, I am not a doctor, but I have seen blood clots and pulmonary embolisms up close and personal.
In fact, have held them in my hand after pulling them out of someone who's on a autopsy table.
( I am a morgue attendant who assists with autopsies. )
If the Flyers get Timmonen and Coburn back, it's a whole new series.
I think I might actually be able to hope pray, and see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel that isn't the golf green.
Josh
P.S. I too, share the apprehension about the Flyers doctors. I only hope he makes the right decision.