Claire Marshall described herself as 'lucky to be alive' after a severe blood clot was diagnosed at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston. She encountered a colleague in the hospital car park who recognised the critical nature of her condition and ensured she received immediate attention.
Ms Marshall is sharing her story as part of World Thrombosis Day on Tuesday 13 October, aiming to educate the public on the risks and symptoms of blood clots, also known as thrombosis. She explained that after experiencing leg pain overnight, her GP initially suggested a sprain, despite her concerns about deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
The pain subsided but returned, accompanied by leg swelling and breathlessness. A subsequent doctor's appointment led to a suggestion of a collapsed lung and a referral for an X-ray. It was upon arriving at Pilgrim Hospital that her colleague's swift intervention proved life-saving.
Her colleague suspected a pulmonary embolism, a condition where a blood clot blocks a lung artery, which can be fatal if not treated rapidly. Ms Marshall was indeed found to have a rare saddle pulmonary embolism, a clot located at the bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery, caused by an undiagnosed hole in her heart.
Now Deputy Sister on the Planned Investigations Unit (PIU) at Pilgrim Hospital, Ms Marshall, who is 61, reflected on the severity of her condition. She stated, 'Most of those who experience a saddle pulmonary embolism sadly do not survive.' She credits her survival to her persistence in seeking medical advice and her colleague's quick thinking.
After a week in hospital and three months of recovery, Ms Marshall emphasised the importance of living life to the fullest, noting that consultants told her she was fortunate to be alive, having faced a potentially fatal event at 43.
Statistics from the national charity Thrombosis UK indicate that one in 20 people will experience a blood clot in their lifetime, and blood clots are linked to one in four deaths.
Charlie Bedford, a Resuscitation Practitioner at United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (ULTH), highlighted that blood clots can affect anyone, but risk factors include cancer, pregnancy, hormone therapy, obesity, severe trauma, major surgery, prolonged immobility, and recent hospital stays. He added, 'By sharing Claire’s story this World Thrombosis Day, we hope to highlight how understanding your risks and the warning signs can help to avoid blood clots.'
