This is the Scariest Thing I've Ever Been Through: Rakeisha's Story

This is the Scariest Thing I’ve Ever Been Through: Rakeisha’s Story

October 17, 2024

My gynecologist put me on a contraceptive ring and I wasn’t even on it a full 30 days before it almost killed me.

On May 17, 2024, I woke up, couldn’t breathe, and could barely take two steps without almost passing out!

I went to the ER around 9 a.m., I explained my symptoms, and they made me sit in the waiting area until almost 6 p.m. Struggling to breathe, I held on until they called my name.

They drew blood from me, and about an hour later she returned with the news of a positive D-dimer test. I didn’t know what that was, so I asked her to elaborate, and she said I had blood clots somewhere in my body, and she was sending me up for a CT scan.

When my scans came back, a different doctor came in and gave me the devastating news that I had multiple blood clots in my lungs. I asked about my options, and he said I had two: go home with blood thinners, or if I didn’t feel safe going home, then I could stay there.

I told him I wasn’t going home, and asked how is that even an option if I had multiple blood clots in my lungs and I could barely breathe?

After advocating for myself, they finally decided to keep me. In the middle of the night, the doctors began drawing blood every four hours and doing ultrasounds to see if there were any clots in my legs or pelvic area. I didn’t have any other clots besides those in my lungs, which was a blessing, and after spending four days in the hospital, I was able to go home with blood thinners and adapt to my new life.

This was the scariest thing I have ever been through, and not a day goes by that I don’t thank God because it could have been me! Though I survived the clot, I’m almost six months in, and I still have complications from it. My doctors told me it would take time to fully heal, but more importantly, I have to take it easy and never miss a dose of my medication.

I tested negative for clotting disorders. I’m glad I listened to my body and went into that hospital. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here, and I’m grateful!