In March of 2020, I had my second child via C-section. The surgery went well, and my baby was healthy. However, afterwards, I had a significant postpartum hemorrhage, which caused my body to have to work very hard to clot.
About a week after coming home from the hospital, I developed a low-grade fever and chills. I also had mild shortness of breath. As I had just been in the hospital, I was certain I had contracted COVID-19. I spoke with my doctor via telehealth and they also believed this to be the case based on my symptoms. I was able to get a test, which was negative, but was advised that I should isolate myself from my family.
During that week, my symptoms came and went, but after a week of being ill my symptoms began to get worse. I had terrible pain on one side of my torso that worsened when I tried to breathe in, but I convinced myself that I must have pulled a muscle somehow. Then my shortness of breath became suddenly worse, as I tried to read my toddler a book and could barely read a few words without struggling to breathe.
I agonized about going to the ER, but ultimately decided to go as a precaution. I had a CT scan and was told the results would be available in about three hours. When the doctor rushed in 15 minutes later, I knew the news was not good. I will never forget the doctor telling me I had massive pulmonary embolisms in both of my lungs. Part of my left lung had died. I was put on an intravenous anticoagulant or blood thinner medication and was admitted to the hospital. I knew the mortality rate for pulmonary embolism was relatively high, and it was a scary night in the hospital struggling to breathe. I was released the next day on blood thinners, and over the next few weeks my symptoms gradually improved. I am on blood thinners for six months and hope to be able to discontinue them at the end of this treatment schedule.
I wanted to share my story because, prior to this experience, I had no idea that the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism and COVID-19 both can cause shortness of breath, or that a pulmonary embolism may cause a fever in some people. If I had been aware of this, I would have gone to the hospital much sooner. This experience has taught me the importance of erring on the side of caution regarding health issues and listening to my body.
MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:
- Join our online peer support community to connect with other people who have experienced a blood clot.
- More information about pregnancy, childbirth, and blood clot prevention
- Read more stories, or share your story with NBCA.
