July 18, 2008, my parents' anniversary, I went into the emergency room seeking answers for weeks of symptoms. A stunned ER team let me know that despite "presenting well" my lungs were filled with clots. I was in the hospital for 11 days, off of work for close to three months, healing for two years, and on anticoagulation therapy for one year. I had a lot of survivor's guilt and a sense that I was saved for some purpose that I would never know.
It has been 6 years. It is my parents' 44th wedding anniversary. I have confidence in my body as it got me through the unthinkable. I am strong, working, and happy. It took time to get here but here I am.
I have Factor V Leiden, a history of clots, and I fly using a disability coordinator giving me special seats. I will not and cannot forget. I will embrace my strength. I no longer survive, I thrive.
Happy second birthday to me and to the other PE survivors!
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