In December 2022, I had the worst pain in my life in my left side of my buttocks after working out. Being a physical therapist and a retired high-level figure skater, I assumed I had strained a muscle until I was unable to walk or bear weight on my left leg.
After three ER visits in under 48 hours, I was finally diagnosed with a massive DVT that extended from my left groin to right below my heart, a collapsed left iliac vein, and multiple clots in my left lung.
ER doctors initially signed it off as a muscle strain and anxiety. I knew something was horribly wrong and refused to leave the hospital during the third visit. I was in the ICU with heparin and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and the clot did not decrease in size. I had an emergency thrombectomy and later a stent was placed to keep my left iliac vein open.
We learned my clots were caused by four things: factor II prothrombin deficiency clotting disorder, 14 years on birth control, May-Thurner syndrome, and a suspected previous injury to my iliac vein from a prior heart procedure. I have no family history of clotting disorders.
Doctors said I’m lucky to be alive because they believe my clot started about 10 years before it was found. I had no symptoms until it became a crisis. I’m blessed to be alive. I am thankful for my workout class and my medical team that saved my life. God’s not done with me here.
I will be on blood thinners for life and have close monitoring to ensure I don’t clot again. As a healthcare worker, I’m a strong advocate for my patients regarding blood clot education and have used my story to educate my peers about blood clots and disparities in the diagnosis of clots. I was a 32-year-old healthy female and was initially overlooked due to my age and good health.
I’m so thankful for the National Blood Clot Alliance and all they do to advocate and educate as they greatly helped me in my now lifelong journey of being a blood clot survivor. I wear my “Stop the Clot” pin proudly on my work badge now.
You are your best advocate and it’s possible to live an active and healthy lifestyle after clots. You are not your diagnosis, it just is a part of your story.
Resources
Factor II
May-Thurner syndrome
Living Your Best Life on Blood Thinners
