fbpx

Our Bodies are Meant to Move, Not to be Stationary: Karen’s Story

Our Bodies are Meant to Move, Not to be Stationary: Karen’s Story

It all started when I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I had an adverse reaction to the chemotherapy treatment, which caused bleeding ulcers to develop from my throat down my esophagus to the site where the cancer had been removed.  

This landed me in the hospital for over five days. Because I had lost so much blood, I was a fall risk, so I was bedridden during my duration at the hospital. After I went home from that ordeal, I didn’t feel like myself. I felt weak and could barely scramble two eggs in the pan. I thought maybe it was because I had been through a blood transfusion and my body was trying to get back on track. 

 But I knew something was terribly wrong when I could only walk a few steps before I became completely out of breath. I was panting as if I had run a mile but had only walked from the living room to my bedroom, which was only a few steps away. 

I told my husband that he needed to take me back to the hospital. At the ER, they performed a CT scan and found an acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Not only that, there was also a huge blood clot that saddled both lungs. 

 Because of the prior bleeding issues, the doctors were concerned. The only way blood clots could be treated was by using blood thinners. My team of doctors had to devise a plan to save my life without taking my life! They treated me with a blood thinner intravenously instead of orally. Within a year’s time, there was no sign of blood clots. 

I learned that our bodies were meant to move, not to be stationary for too long. If you are in the hospital for three or more days, be sure to get leg pumps to help circulate the blood flow in your lower extremities. 

 Resources

Stop the Clot, Spread the Word: Cancer
Know Your Risk
Blood Clot Treatment

This series of patient stories focusing on blood clots and cancer was made possible by an educational grant provided by the Bristol-Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance. 

Share your story
The personal story is intended for informational purposes only. The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) holds the rights to all content that appears on its website. The use by another organization or online group of any content on NBCA’s website, including patient stories that appear here, does not imply that NBCA is connected to these other organizations or groups or condones or endorses their work. Please contact info@stoptheclot.org with questions about this matter.

Additional patient stories

Shelby_and_Aaron-12

Shelby

My Leg Was Massively Swollen, Purple, and Hot
Debbie Benge

Debbie

Not Only Have I Lost Central Vision In My Left Eye, I’ve Also Lost My Son
amyseiler

Amy

I Now Have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder