In 2018, I welcomed my beautiful son into the world via Caesarean section. Everything was going well, except that I had ankle pain that radiated up my inner leg. I was told my ankle pain was due to the strain of pregnancy, and to continue to wear compression stockings. I did as I was instructed.
The pain in my ankle was still there a week later, so I booked an appointment to see my general practitioner. My doctor told me everything looked fine, and there was no way I could have a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in the leg. About a week later, my doctor called to review how I was feeling, and again I was told that I did not have a DVT because I did not have any more symptoms, besides pain.
Throughout the next week, I noticed pain in my chest. It was scary and I did not want to be home alone. I was treated for acid reflux, but that did not help the pain. After two more trips to my doctor’s office, I was finally sent for further testing. Shockingly, I had a blood clot from my ankle to me knee, and a second clot in my groin. I also had a pulmonary embolism (PE), or blood clot in my lung.
I started treatment with blood thinners, which I am still taking. Being diagnosed with blood clots has changed my life. I have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and I and struggle with any leg pain that I feel because I am worried that it is another blood clot.
My experience has taught me that if you feel something might be wrong, it usually is, so get it checked out. You know your body better than anyone. I’m living my life to the fullest after realizing I was not far from losing it.
