I was at the Walmart self-checkout. I had been feeling sore and had a hard time catching my breath all day, and I collapsed in the self-checkout.
I came to, and people were standing over me. I say I’m all right, but my pain is getting progressively worse. I ended up driving myself to the emergency room.
I had been to the emergency room a few weeks prior for swollen feet because it did not seem right. They told me it was “salt intake.” When I came back, they remembered me and knew it was more serious.
They found that I had a saddle pulmonary embolism and a clot still in my leg. I was later diagnosed with factor V Leiden, a blood clotting disorder.
In terms of risk factors, I had been sick the week before and I slept an entire weekend and barely moved. I had symptoms like COVID but never took a test.
Now I take blood thinners daily. I am an avid runner, but nowhere near the mile time I was at before all this happened.
I’ve learned to listen to my body. Also, just because people work in a hospital, doesn’t mean they know how you’re feeling. You know your body best. If you know something isn’t right, get a second opinion! Stand up for yourself and do not let others make you think you are crazy.
Resources
Factor V Leiden
Living Your Best Life on Blood Thinners
Know Your Risk
