A Wife’s Journey:
Hi Friend,
If you follow me (Kerri) on my personal social media pages, you likely saw that we had a pretty scary family emergency last week. My husband, who is 46, had a pulmonary embolism—multiple blood clots on his lungs. We are still investigating the cause, as there were no apparent triggers, but I want to share our experience in hopes that it might help someone recognize the signs and seek help early.
Understanding Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden blockage in the pulmonary arteries of the lungs, usually caused by a blood clot that travels from the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). We suspect my husband's clots originated from his leg, as he experienced calf pain a few weeks prior, though tests at the time showed nothing.
Prevalence & Mortality
Annual Cases in the U.S.: About 900,000 cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes PE and DVT.
Annual Deaths: Between 60,000 and 100,000 deaths are attributed to PE each year.
Survival Rate: About 25% of people with untreated PE die suddenly.
Recurrence Rate: About 33% of people who have had a PE will experience another event within 10 years.
Risk Factors
Immobility: Long flights, prolonged bed rest, hospitalization, or extended sitting.
Surgery & Trauma: Particularly orthopedic procedures like hip/knee replacements.
Medical Conditions: Cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders.
Hormonal Factors: Birth control, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy.
Genetics & Clotting Disorders: Factor V Leiden mutation, protein C or S deficiency.
Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, smoking, dehydration.
My husband doesn’t fit any of these risk factors, which is why we’ll be seeing a hematologist to dig deeper into potential genetic factors.
Symptoms of PE
Sudden shortness of breath
Chest pain (sharp/stabbing, worsens with deep breaths)
Cough (sometimes with bloody sputum)
Rapid heart rate
Dizziness or fainting
Leg swelling or pain (if linked to DVT)
My husband woke up in the night with intense chest and back pain and soon began panting like a puppy. It became clear that we needed emergency help.
Diagnosis & Treatment
We underwent a full battery of tests, including:
D-dimer blood test (high levels indicate clotting)
CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) (confirmed the clots)
Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) Scan (measured lung airflow and blood flow)
Ultrasound of Legs (checked for DVT, but was inconclusive)
Treatment Plan
Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners): My husband is on Apixaban (Eliquis).
Lifestyle Adjustments: Hydration, movement, and monitoring symptoms closely.
We hope to find a reason behind the clots so that long-term anticoagulation isn’t necessary.
Reflections on This Experience
This journey has been frightening and humbling, but it’s also reinforced some key life lessons:
1. Compassion Over Self-Focus
If you hear that someone has gone through a crisis—whether it’s a health emergency, divorce, pregnancy loss, or another hardship—your first thought should not be, “Why didn’t I hear about this sooner?” Instead, shift your mindset to thoughts of concern and support. A simple prayer, a kind message, or sending food can mean the world to someone in crisis.
2. Advocate for Your Health
Hospitals are busy, and healthcare professionals have different perspectives and protocols. If you’re a patient or supporting a loved one, speak up. Take notes. Ask questions. Don’t assume everything is being handled. Your vigilance can make a difference.
3. Set Boundaries
In difficult times, it's okay to prioritize healing over social obligations. We chose not to list my husband in the hospital directory because he wasn’t in a state to have visitors. People mean well, but managing visits can be exhausting when you're in crisis mode. Saying no is not unkind—it’s necessary.
A Final Word of Encouragement
While our story is still unfolding, I’m deeply grateful that my husband is still here. This experience has reminded me of the power of faith and the importance of being spiritually prepared for life’s hardships.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7
If you struggle to find motivation to read the Bible, consider this: when life gets hard, the strength you need comes from knowing God’s word. I wouldn’t have made it through the last week without Him.
With love & gratitude,
Kerri…
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