Danielle’s DVT almost killed her.

I was visiting family in upstate NY when I began to feel severe pain behind my knee where I’d broken it three weeks earlier. My doctor faxed me a prescription for a sonogram, and that’s when learned I had DVT. The doctor and I were shocked, because I was in a walking cast and could move my feet. I was also surprised to learn that being on birth control pills at the time of the break put me at risk for DVT.

He told me to get it treated right away, because it could become a pulmonary embolism. But I didn’t want to go to the hospital because I was on vacation I didn’t want to freak out my family, and I just didn’t have time to be out of commission! I actually convinced the doctors to let me go home and just take Lovenox shots. I really didn’t think it could become a PE once I was on the medication. It was a mistake that almost cost me my life.

So I went home—a 9 hour drive to Virginia. By then I had an uncomfortable feeling in my chest, was exhausted, and the pain in my leg wasn’t getting better. I called my doctor, and he sent me straight to the ER. I almost lost my life because I didn’t think it could get that bad and I didn’t want to cause problems for my family on vacation. I was very lucky.

I’ve recovered from the break, but my vein continues to ache and is painful when I overexert myself. Any procedure or injury carries the risk of DVT. I’m petrified of it happening again. Every pain in my leg scares me. I try not to be paranoid, but I make the time now to check it out, not to put it off. Know the signs. Don’t put off getting it checked or delay medical treatment—one day can mean the difference between life and death. You can’t take care of your family if you’re not here. A DVT can take your life, so take the pain seriously. Please take DVT seriously. This is not a disease that gives many second chances.