Not All Pain is the Same!
One year ago, she almost died. A little checklist saved her life.
As the new year got underway, Kay was actually thrilled about the pain in her calf!
She took it as a sign that recent hikes along the steep bluffs of Lake Michigan were good workouts – no pain, no gain!
Over the next few days, Kay had a vague sense that the calf pain was creeping upward but chalked it up to imagination. Then... she woke one morning struggling to breathe.
Unconscious for a few seconds, Karen revived with a good, deep breath. Time to get on with her day! But still a bit worried, she grabbed a laptop, scanned The Care Partner Project Checklist section and, sure enough, found that lingering calf pain can signal a blood clot.
In the emergency room, a scan showed five blood clots scattered across both lungs. Thankfully, that 'little nagging voice' and prompt treatment saved Kay’s life!
March is Blood Clot Awareness Month -- Stop the Clot!
The signs can be misinterpreted, and they're caused by various health conditions and risk factors.
For Kay, the culprit was a genetic blood disorder – Leiden Factor 5, which can be found in a blood test doctors rarely order.
Blood clots can be deadly – but you can prevent them! Talk with your family about history of blood clots. Talk to your provider about your health conditions, do they carry a risk of blood clots? Talk to your pharmacist, are you on medications with blood clots as a potential side effect?
If you are not sure where to start or what to ask, call me, I'd be happy to help you start this most important conversation.