In the summer of 2020 I started to have leg pain. It went on for a little while but I just assumed I hurt it somehow. It was peak COVID and I wasn’t about to go to a doctor’s office. After a week or two I started to notice some swelling. I was complaining to my boss at work and one of my surgeons overheard me — I was working at a vascular surgery office, I did their billing — and said “I think you should go get a scan quick. Just to be safe, you’re a young single mother — better check to make sure you don’t have a clot.” Both myself and the ultrasound tech were skeptical, assuming he was jumping to conclusions. To my surprise, they found multiple clots in my leg. I followed with my primary doctor the next week and she ordered a blood clotting panel. 14 vials later they found I had Prothrombin G20210A, a genetic clotting disorder I had since birth. I was 33 years old and no one in my family had ever heard of this. I had been on birth control since I was 15 and I had a 5 year old son. I was shocked. After a trial of blood thinners and follow ups my clots became chronic and I was approved for a maintenance dose of aspirin.
Fast forward a year and I became unexpectedly pregnant and due to my new diagnosis they sent me to a specialist who casually told me I needed blood thinning injections daily. I was shocked and terrified. I had already been pregnant before and didn’t need any of this. My hematologist explained how dangerous pregnancy was for me and the need for these. 336 injections later I had a beautiful healthy little girl. I’ve developed a few additional clots since then, superficial veins, and we continue to monitor with aspirin — waiting for the day to switch to permanent blood thinners. But I’m thankful my journey has a “simple” and happy ending — hoping to stay that way as long as I can.
I have occasional leg pains — feels like Charlie horse cramps — due to my chronic clots.
I’m thankful for where I work. If I hadn’t been at the vascular office I may not have ever gone to the doctor and discovered this. I’m thankful for the hematologist I saw, Dr. Szyarto — he was also so kind and explained things to me anytime I was scared or had a question.
Both my parents got tested and we found my dad is the one I got the disorder from — he was unaware.
Trust your body, ask questions, and find healthcare providers you trust.
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