I had my first child thirteen years (1999) ago by emergency C-Section, a couple of weeks after which I noticed a huge bruise on my left upper thigh. The pain was horrible, and I had to hop to get around the house, so my doctor ordered an MRI that detected a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I was hospitalized for a week, after which I took Coumadin® for 6 months.
I also took injectable low molecular weight heparin during my second and third pregnancies to prevent any other clots. In January 2012, I noticed swelling once again in the same leg in which I had the DVT 13 years ago, and I began to limp. I went for an assessment, but was told it was not another DVT.
The next month, I went back to the Emergency Room (ER) and was told I did have another blood clot in my left upper leg, and was hospitalized again. I am now on blood thinners for life. I take warfarin, and need to check my INR often. I am grateful that I know the signs and symptoms of DVT, and pay attention to my body.
The doctors tested me for blood clotting disorders, but the tests were negative. They attribute the first DVT to pregnancy and the C-section, but cannot specify the reason for the second DVT. There is no history of blood clots in my birth family.
I have 3 beautiful children that I would like to raise to adulthood, and would do anything to be around to watch them grow. I don’t know why I got another clot out of the blue, but I am very grateful to be alive. I appreciate life and know it is short. I would love to help others become more aware about risk, prevention, and treatment of blood clots.
I look at life as a blessing, and hope others do not take it lightly, or ignore any warning signs from the body, particularly those related to DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE). I spend even more time with my children and try to eat right and walk more. I also don’t miss a dose of my blood thinners. I was always an optimistic person, but I have a story to tell, and I want the world to read it to learn how to cope with life after a blood clot.
Take Home Messages
- Click here to review signs and symptoms
- Persist in seeking care, if you suspect a DVT. Sometimes there is a delay in diagnosing a blood clot
