Not because is the month in which I was born.
But because I get the opportunity to feature individuals that have truly inspiring stories of survival and perseverance.
This April I came across KRISTINE HINTERKOPF's story on NBCA's website and once more I was stopped on my tracks as to how anyone, regardless of age - physical ability - background, can fall victim to a blood clotting incident...
Please read on to learn about Kristine's clotting episode but most importantly how she is bouncing back and returning to what she loves to do...
A week after my surgery, I felt a strange flutter in my heart and sudden shortness of breath when I got up during the night. I’ve had asthma all my life, so shortness of breath was not foreign to me. I figured I just needed a minute to catch my breath, but it persisted. I called my Mom into my room and told her I thought I was having an asthma attack, even though a little voice in the back of my head told me it was something worse than my typical asthma attack. I ignored that warning voice, and told myself, “I’m 27, I’m healthy, and it is just an asthma attack.”
Thankfully, my mother had the sense to call 911, despite my pleas not to. Calling an ambulance for an asthma attack seemed a bit ridiculous to me. When the EMTs (emergency medical technicians) arrived, I was given oxygen and a nebulizer treatment, which did not make any difference. I knew that another real possibility was a pulmonary embolism (PE) from an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, so TV actually taught me something. I wasn’t wheezing, so that was another clue that it was not an asthma attack.
I was rushed to the ER and a CT scan showed I had multiple bilateral PEs. My years with asthma accustomed me somewhat to the threat of being unable to catch my breath, although it is always very scary.
Everything after my diagnosis is a bit of a blur. They airlifted me to a larger hospital, where they found a clot in my calf. They admitted me into ICU and I spent the next week in the hospital. Thankfully, I responded quickly to treatment and was released from ICU after one day, and was transferred to the cardiac floor. Ironically, the reason I responded so quickly was because I was in great shape from running, even though my running was what caused the initial injury that necessitated hospitalization. My week in the hospital was incredibly hard on me. Doctors and nurses were constantly poking me with needles and checking my blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiratory rates. All I could think about was how much my life had changed in a month. I went from being a healthy runner to a hospitalized patient.
What no one talked to me about at all is how hard it is to go home from the hospital. I experienced a range of emotions once I got home. I was angry, scared, depressed, and even confused. It’s been 8 months and I still have my ups and downs, although I’m extremely grateful I survived. I still have my bad days. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m scared a lot of the time. I’m scared I’m going to clot again, or that I won’t be so lucky if I have another clot. I’m scared that I’ll end up on blood thinners for the rest of my life. As scared as I am, I’m a strong person and I’m not going to let this change me. I’m going to keep running and racing and getting back to doing what I love. I hiked to the top of a 14,300 foot mountain four months after discharge from the hospital, and it felt amazing.
Needless to say, I’ve stopped taking birth control pills, and I am awaiting test results to see whether I have any clotting disorders. I was blindsided by feelings of invincibiIity that is common amongst people my age, and the belief that blood clots only happen to older people. I hope that by sharing my story, I can help others going through the same thing. It is scary and the recovery is tough, but I’ve already done the hardest thing – I’ve survived.
I think it is important to share my experience to dispel some of these assumptions. Blood clots happen to people who are older or out so shape, but also in some instances, to the young and active."
After reading this I am ready to head out and go train...
I hope that you feel the same way and as you get ready to head out and get back to do what ever is that you love stop by KRISTEN'S FUNDRAISING PAGE to help her reach goal as she continue to pursue that running passion on her next challenge the MISSOULA HALF-MARATHON this coming July!
Thanks for reading,
The Clot Buster
