For many of us, myself included, 2014 was a tough year healthwise. While it was nothing the year of my PE, I’ve faced some new challenges that were unexpected. I know many of you share in my struggle and still many more are battling the aftermath of a DVT and/or PE for the first time. You are not alone in your fight, as evidenced by the stories and people here – both those people who have shared their stories and those who are suffering quietly. Your journey may be one you take by yourself, but you are not alone in the obstacles, setbacks, hardships and even triumphs you encounter. We are all on the same type of journey, just taking different paths to get there.
Where is there, you wonder. For me, my journey is seemingly unending, but I am hoping to continue down a path that leads to optimal health and wellness for my individual body. I was diagnosed in 2012 with Antiphospholipid Syndrome, which is believed to be the main cause behind my DVT and subsequent PE. I take Coumadin/warfarin daily and probably will for the rest of my life as there is currently no cure for APS; and my risk of future clotting, including stroke, is too great to risk without medication at just 32 years old. Do I like that I take blood thinners now or forever? No, but it is the best course of treatment at this time. My journey includes continuing to work with my hematologist to ensure I am receiving the best care possible, regain control of my diet and start implementing a not only doable, but sustainable fitness plan back into my daily life.
Achieving ultimate health is like any other journey – full of hills, bumps, detours, closures and even spin-outs along the way. If we’re lucky (which, let’s face it, I’m not), we’ll avoid any major crashes along the way and have to deal with just the occasional stall or engine failure. I like to think of health as a journey and I would like to provide you with a Roadmap to Health in 2015.
Print it out, share it, bookmark it for future reference. Do whatever you can right now to take control of your health.
From me to you, have a very happy holiday season and beautiful New Year.
Reader Writes In. What is included in your Roadmap to Health in 2015? Share it in the comments below!
There is hope for healing and you are not alone,
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I have a plan to get more active. I got my first DVT as a side effect from ankle surgery; I have FVL. Along with physical therapy for my foot and ankle, I will be adding more exercise and stretching.
Hello Nicole. Thank you so much for sharing your goals for this coming year. I am definitely trying to do the same – move more! It has been going well so far as I have been walking for about a mile two night a week, which is a huge step in the right direction for me. I hope you are well and Happy New Year!
Sara, as usual your post is SOOO inspiring and encouraging, thank you!
Like Nicole, I am planning to get more active in 2015 as since I was diagnosed in April 2014 with PE, I have slowed down a lot as I tire quickly and everything seems an effort some days.
My aim is also to make many many more people aware of DVT/PE and NOT to ignore symptoms. Living in Australia I never hear people talk about it, although once I tell them my story, somebody else “knows” someone who has/had clots, at times. Other times, people look at me “blank” and as “why did you get them?” I wish I knew myself
I am having more tests done in five weeks to see how many bloodclots are left in my lungs and also have an Ecco to see if my heart is healing.
I will then speak to some Specialists to ask why we DONT have any support groups etc here.
I hope that everybody who has been on this journey and still is, will have a much better year in 2015.
Take care, and the very best to you all, from sunny “down under”.
Hi Monique! As always, thank you for your kind words. I am really happy to read your comment and your goals to get active and RAISE AWARENESS in your corner of the world are downright inspiring. I hope to get more active this year as well, and I have been doing that little by little with some weekly walks. Thank you for being on this journey with me, and I hope this note finds you feeling well.