“
What a journey it’s been! Yesterday my Doctor and I had a conversion about getting off Eliquis the blood thinner I was placed on post surgery from last March. The intent was for me to be on it for 90 days post op then reevaluate with the operating doctor. We met and he mentioned I could get off it in 90 days or take the safer route of 6 months.
6 months later I met with a hematology doctor. She recommended I go an entire year. For those of you that don’t know, being on blood thinners is dangerous. Even more tough for someone like me that lives an active lifestyle. I’ve had to refrain from living my best life of outdoor sports. The risk being if I hit my head. There’s a chance they can’t stop the bleeding.
Through out this journey I’ve refrained from consuming any alcohol. Limited to completely cut out caffeine… totally ok, I’ve never really been a coffee person. It’s been quite the internal learning about who I am, and in essence a great reset of priorities. My connection of mind, body and spirit is that much stronger with a bigger calling of purpose of why I’m here. When I sat there the night before surgery, I said to the higher power “Thank you for the past few decades, it’s been amazing, if this is it, I’m at peace with it. Anything else beyond this is now my bonus time to live, and love at a higher level”
My hematology doctor, primary care doctor and I had a good conversation about getting off these meds. There’s always risk with anything. Risk of another clot is higher in anyone that had a clot before. There’s always the risk of death. But the way I see it is there’s a risk of not living. Living a life that significant. When you taste significance you’ll never settle for success. What makes life worth living is pushing it a little bit. Being active in the outdoors with extreme sports makes me the amazing human I am.
You have to advocate for your life, sometimes it’s even with medical professionals. They have their opinions, and advice, but in the end it’s your life to live. As I type this March I will no longer be on Eliquis. I’m excited to turn the page and write a new chapter with what I’ve learned about everything from the last year.
Finally to all of you, thank you for your support. If I can ever do anything to support your journey please don’t hesitate to reach out. For those who have stood by my side through the toughest of times, I want to say thank you. Your unwavering support has given me the strength to fight and overcome my blood clot and bilateral pulmonary embolism. And now, as I look towards the future, I am filled with hope, knowing that the work to raise awareness about this silent killer will continue, the cause to prevent and treat blood clots will endure, and the dream of a world where no one suffers from this condition shall never die. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.