My name is Victoria King, and I’m writing on behalf of my mother, who nearly lost her life to a blood clot.
A few years after surgery, my mother began experiencing what seemed like minor symptoms: tingling in her foot and pain when she walked. Like many people, she didn’t immediately think it was serious.
By the time she was diagnosed, what had likely started as an undetected deep vein thrombosis had already progressed into a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that had traveled to her lungs.
Watching my mother go through that experience changed everything for me. The hardest part wasn’t the diagnosis itself. It was knowing that the warning signs were there, that her body was telling us something was wrong, and that we had no way to see it.
DVT is called a silent condition for a reason. There was no monitor, no way to know.
My mother survived. She is currently on blood thinners for the foreseeable future, a daily reminder of what her body went through and what so many others go through without warning.
Her pulmonary embolism left her with lasting breathing difficulties. She takes blood thinners daily, and even simple exertion can still be a challenge.
This experience has shown me how important it is to recognize the signs and advocate for yourself and your loved ones, especially because blood clots can be silent and easily missed.
My advice is: don’t wait for obvious symptoms. Blood clots are often silent, and by the time you feel something, it may have already progressed. Advocate loudly for yourself and your loved ones. Learn the signs.
