In late July 2024, I started having a series of high fevers that would come and go for several weeks. One Monday morning, I felt out of breath and couldn’t finish my many conference calls. I wasn’t having any pain or fever, just out of breath and tired.
By that night, I could only lay on the couch and try to catch my breath. Tuesday was even worse. On Wednesday, I went to my primary care doctor and tested negative for viral infections. I cried and told her I was scared because I was weak and couldn’t catch my breath. She thought perhaps it was a kidney infection and sent me for labs.
I’m not sure why she thought I may have had a kidney infection. I wish she would’ve told me to go to the ER. I literally almost died two days after that appointment.
I collapsed on Friday. My husband called 9-1-1, and quickly I was in the ER. Everyone was moving fast around me. The doctor came and told me the results were not good and I was in a potentially deadly situation, as I had a saddle pulmonary embolism and a cardiac team was on standby.
Thankfully, the strong medicine they gave me helped break up the clots. I was in the ICU for a week and had a wonderful care team. I was asked many times if I had leg pain, swelling, or other symptoms, but I did not. The only thing I experienced before that awful week was the fevers.
Doctors also asked why I waited five days before going to the ER. My only response was, “I didn’t know these were symptoms.”
Six months later, I’m doing well and will be on blood thinners indefinitely The trauma and anxiety from the event are real. I’ve learned through support groups and my care team that this is common among survivors.
In terms of risk factors, I had been on hormone replacement therapy. Now, I’m more conscious of my body, taking care of my health, and staying on my medications. I hope the trauma and anxiety will eventually decrease because it’s been hard. The support groups have been helpful, and I’ve learned to live my life instead of working and worrying about things I have no control over.
Don’t hesitate to get checked if you have problems breathing. Don’t take chances with your life.
Resources
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Know Your Risk
Facebook Support Group
