In February 2018, three days after emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder, I had a really bad pain in my right calf and was having difficulty breathing.
So, I went to the emergency room, and I was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or a blood clot in the right leg, and bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE), or blood clots in both lungs. My risk factors were my surgery and the birth control I was taking.
I went through a lot that year because of the blood clots and I’m grateful to have made it through. I had to pace myself at walking, bathing, and putting on clothes because I was struggling to breathe.
Besides shortness of breath, I also had to deal with chest and calf pains, fatigue, and dizziness. There were several visits to my hematologist’s office and getting lots of lab work done. As a result of the lab work, I found out I had very low iron and had to take iron supplements three times a day.
In the midst of all of this, I also had to wear compression socks; the struggle was real when putting those things on. But I’m thankful to still be here today because I know my life could have ended in February 2018.
It’s important to listen to your body and your intuition. If you feel something is not right, go to the doctor and get help.
Resources
Hospitalization and Surgery: Blood Clots
Know Your Risk
Signs and Symptoms
