5 years later + still great
It's been 5 years since I shared my journey. I have to say that it's been nothing been positive for me. Unfortunately for friends, I've had 3 individuals contact me within a couple of days of them learning of their DVT + PE. I'm happy about this since I didn't have anyone (in person, DS was who I turned to) to turn to and now I'm someone people lean on. This is mostly because I've been so vocal about having a clot. I have no problem sharing my clot experience with people I know because it will help them either prevent one or give them someone to turn to, in their time of need.
I've since run a half marathon and plan on doing 2 in 2013. I'm actively doing triathlons. I don't play much soccer anymore, but that's due to injuries while playing and not my clots. I still inject when I fly and wear thigh high compression stockings (Sigvaris are still the best), but it's gotten so easy I blatantly inject in front of strangers on the plane. I no longer do so in a bathroom. I even had a convo with one passenger who knew exactly what I was doing before a long haul to London.
I fly a LOT still and have not clotted since; but I'm wearing my stockings, injecting, sitting in aisle seats, walking every 1-2 hours and drinking loads of fluids. Internationally + domestically. I did have a new experience this year: flying back from Hawaii - my husband & I were sitting aisle, middle. A family with 3 little ones were in the row adjacent + had the window on the other side of my husband. They were hoping we'd move. I said no, even though I felt like a big meanie, but I knew I needed my aisle to walk, stretch my legs, etc so I wouldn't risk a hint of clotting. My husband was even a bit mortified I said no, but I'm glad I stuck to my guns. We helped them the whole flight - passing their baby back and forth to one another, grabbing stuff out of the overhead for them, etc etc. They never asked why, and I never shared. That was the hardest part, not to share, but I felt it wasn't their business and I wanted to see what it was like, if I could do it and not have to explain myself. Everything ended up fine. The dad never said anything, mom kept apologizing and we just kept helping. I saved this part for last - they were actually flying with another couple who happened to have the bulkhead seats; they didn't offer to move with us even though they had aisle window too in bulkhead. Funny they wanted me to lose the aisle, but their friends didn't have to help. Anyhow, it made me stronger as a result. Could be because I'm now in my mid 30's and every year you get older, you get more about yourself and less concerned about those around you that you don't know... Anyhow, back to the update.
I've also had my IUD removed and new one inserted because it's been 5 years.
I do get SOB from time to time, but it eventually subsides. It happens maybe once a quarter. I've since gone back and had my vascular doc scan my leg 3 times due to concern. Every time, it's come up clean and they've never made me feel awful for it. And my insurance has covered every scan no problem.
I hope this note helps all you new folks just going through your first few days, weeks or months. You will get thru it. Give yourself one day at a time.
I've since run a half marathon and plan on doing 2 in 2013. I'm actively doing triathlons. I don't play much soccer anymore, but that's due to injuries while playing and not my clots. I still inject when I fly and wear thigh high compression stockings (Sigvaris are still the best), but it's gotten so easy I blatantly inject in front of strangers on the plane. I no longer do so in a bathroom. I even had a convo with one passenger who knew exactly what I was doing before a long haul to London.
I fly a LOT still and have not clotted since; but I'm wearing my stockings, injecting, sitting in aisle seats, walking every 1-2 hours and drinking loads of fluids. Internationally + domestically. I did have a new experience this year: flying back from Hawaii - my husband & I were sitting aisle, middle. A family with 3 little ones were in the row adjacent + had the window on the other side of my husband. They were hoping we'd move. I said no, even though I felt like a big meanie, but I knew I needed my aisle to walk, stretch my legs, etc so I wouldn't risk a hint of clotting. My husband was even a bit mortified I said no, but I'm glad I stuck to my guns. We helped them the whole flight - passing their baby back and forth to one another, grabbing stuff out of the overhead for them, etc etc. They never asked why, and I never shared. That was the hardest part, not to share, but I felt it wasn't their business and I wanted to see what it was like, if I could do it and not have to explain myself. Everything ended up fine. The dad never said anything, mom kept apologizing and we just kept helping. I saved this part for last - they were actually flying with another couple who happened to have the bulkhead seats; they didn't offer to move with us even though they had aisle window too in bulkhead. Funny they wanted me to lose the aisle, but their friends didn't have to help. Anyhow, it made me stronger as a result. Could be because I'm now in my mid 30's and every year you get older, you get more about yourself and less concerned about those around you that you don't know... Anyhow, back to the update.
I've also had my IUD removed and new one inserted because it's been 5 years.
I do get SOB from time to time, but it eventually subsides. It happens maybe once a quarter. I've since gone back and had my vascular doc scan my leg 3 times due to concern. Every time, it's come up clean and they've never made me feel awful for it. And my insurance has covered every scan no problem.
I hope this note helps all you new folks just going through your first few days, weeks or months. You will get thru it. Give yourself one day at a time.
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