It was Easter Monday 2018 when I welcomed my beautiful son into the world via Caesarean section. My son and I arrived home. Everything was going well, except I noticed I still had ankle pain. 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 and went on with being a mother to my new son.
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 that I could have a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot in my 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 for me, and it made me 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, and 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 now. 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.
I am so thankful that my blood clots were found and treated. My ankle pain radiated up my inner leg. My doctors were surprised I only had one symptom – pain. As a result, they did not think I had a blood clot, even though I was at risk given the recent birth of my son and Cesarean section at the time of his delivery. My experience has taught me that if you feel like something might be wrong, it usually is. You know your body better than anyone, so if you think something is wrong, get it checked out. I’m living my life to the fullest after realizing I was not far from losing it.
MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:
- Join our online peer support community to connect with other people who have experienced a blood clot.
- Read more about pregnancy and blood clot risks here.
- Read more stories, or share your story with NBCA.
