Listen to Your Body
During fire season in Southern California, I was experiencing shortness of breath that I attributed to bad air quality.
It Got Worse
As the week progressed it got worse and I began to feel pain in my back.
By Friday, I felt a sharp stabbing pain in my back anytime I took a breath.
I first thought it was sore because of my struggle to get in a deep breath.
Urgent Care
My husband took me to urgent care.
They did a chest x-ray and realized my right lung was very scrunched up.
They thought my gallbladder was inflamed.
They sent me to the ER for what they said would be a gallbladder removal.
The ER
When I got to the ER they ran a lot of tests.
One revealed my gallbladder was fine.
But they found that my right lung was filled with clots.
They were unexplained since I wasn’t on birth control, had no recent injuries or travel.
I was admitted.
Finding the Cause
It wasn’t until a month later — after mammograms and so many blood tests — that we found out I have a Factor II blood mutation.
My older sister and her daughter have both tested positive, as well as my mother.
Life After
I was able to get off blood thinners at my six month check after working hard to change my lifestyle.
I have had no recurrences of clots again.
I lead an active lifestyle now and pay more attention to movement and using compression when needed.
I workout 6-7 times a week.
I move my body every hour and take breaks when in the car for a long time.
I’m conscious of my movement and getting my blood moving and heart pumping.
What I Want Others to Know
Listen to your body.
If you’re not sure about something, go get checked.
