Ellie Bradford

My Journey with Thrombosis: VTE @ 16 and recurrent DVT at 24.

My experience has been both challenging and enlightening, and I believe it could help others feel less isolated in their own struggles.

I celebrated my 24th birthday in early March, but later that same month, I was diagnosed with my second deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—the first occurred when I was just 16. Here’s a bit more about my story, from the beginning.

In January 2016, at 16 years old and gearing up for my GCSEs, I started taking the combined contraceptive pill. The doctors reassured me it was safe, citing that my mother and sister had used it without issue.

However, within two months, I began experiencing severe lower back pain. This was unusual for me, a typically healthy and active teenager deeply involved in competitive football. The pain soon escalated, affecting my day-to-day life and introducing new symptoms like shortness of breath and sharp chest pains during routine activities. Initially, I attributed these to the stress and anxiety caused by my back pain.

When I sought medical advice, the possibility of these symptoms stemming from the contraceptive pill was overlooked, and I was misdiagnosed with constipation. With a holiday to Spain approaching, my doctor advised that I could wait until my return for further consultation. However, the pain became unbearable during the flight, and upon arrival, I noticed my leg had swollen significantly and turned purple.

A local doctor in Spain quickly sent me to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with DVT and later, bilateral pulmonary embolism. It was a frightening time—I was in a foreign country, translating medical terms, scared for my life.

The recovery was gruelling. It included wheelchair use, a medically-assisted return flight, daily use of compression stockings, and nine months on warfarin. My active lifestyle was halted abruptly; I couldn’t play football, and my routine was replaced by frequent medical checks.

Years passed with minor symptoms until last October, when a new, unexplained lump appeared on my stomach. The local GPs were puzzled, and despite my extensive medical history, I felt dismissed and had to advocate strongly for proper testing. It took a private ultrasound to diagnose superficial thrombophlebitis.

Just this past March, I encountered another setback — a new DVT diagnosis. The process was disheartening; it involved miscommunications, delayed treatments, and a struggle to obtain the necessary scans. Frustrated with the public healthcare response, I opted for a private haematology consultation, where I finally felt understood. Although I was faced with the prospect of a life on blood thinners and a potential end to my football playing days, my consultant offered a glimmer of hope. They were managing a professional footballer on rivaroxaban, which meant I could potentially continue playing.

Sharing these experiences is vital for me. It highlights not only the personal impact of thrombosis but also the broader issues of medical advocacy and patient support. If you’re dealing with thrombosis or any other medical challenge, please remember that you’re not alone. Thrombosis UK has been instrumental in my journey, and I am here to offer support as well.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story. I look forward to possibly connecting with others through this platform.

Thrombosis UK VTE Awards
Application form

Applications are accepted on the basis that Thrombosis UK can share the content with external judges who will assist us with assessments. Service models, resources and working processes of successful Thrombosis UK VTE Award winners will be uploaded to the Thrombosis UK website and shared via publications, social media, and other opportunities.

When completing your application form, you should use lay language and answer each question in a concise manner. 

Please keep to any word limits given.

All sections need to be completed, if any section is removed, omitted or incomplete, we cannot process the application.

Applications need to be submitted via email to: [email protected] You will receive a notification of receipt within 48 hours of submission. If you do not receive a notification, please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is 1st February 2025

We are unable to consider late applications.

Category
Thrombosis UK Award deep vein thrombosis (DVT) pathway award for leading to improved timely diagnosis of thrombosis
Please note there is a separate application form for each category.
DATA PROTECTION

Thrombosis UK has a strict data protection policy that complies with UK data protection law.

Your name and contact details may be stored for up to 12 months in order for correspondence relating to your application be appropriately processed.

 

We wish to make you aware that your name and contact details, as included on your completed application form, will be viewed by the Thrombosis UK appointed Judging Panel solely for the purpose of reviewing and assessing your completed application.  If your nomination is short listed, a representative from Thrombosis UK will then seek your permission to include your name on the summary paragraph included in the awards brochure and on the Thrombosis UK website.

Thrombosis UK takes security and confidentiality very seriously. Your name and contact details will never be passed or shared with any third party or an unauthorised individual. If you have any queries, please contact: [email protected]

Thrombosis UK VTE Awards
Application form

Applications are accepted on the basis that Thrombosis UK can share the content with external judges who will assist us with assessments. Service models, resources and working processes of successful Thrombosis UK VTE Award winners will be uploaded to the Thrombosis UK website and shared via publications, social media, and other opportunities.

When completing your application form, you should use lay language and answer each question in a concise manner. 

Please keep to any word limits given.

All sections need to be completed, if any section is removed, omitted or incomplete, we cannot process the application.

Applications need to be submitted via email to: [email protected] You will receive a notification of receipt within 48 hours of submission. If you do not receive a notification, please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is 1st February 2025

We are unable to consider late applications.

Category
Thrombosis UK Award for an excellent Quality Improvement programme that advanced practice in thrombosis prevention or management.
Please note there is a separate application form for each category.
DATA PROTECTION

Thrombosis UK has a strict data protection policy that complies with UK data protection law.

Your name and contact details may be stored for up to 12 months in order for correspondence relating to your application be appropriately processed.

 

We wish to make you aware that your name and contact details, as included on your completed application form, will be viewed by the Thrombosis UK appointed Judging Panel solely for the purpose of reviewing and assessing your completed application.  If your nomination is short listed, a representative from Thrombosis UK will then seek your permission to include your name on the summary paragraph included in the awards brochure and on the Thrombosis UK website.

Thrombosis UK takes security and confidentiality very seriously. Your name and contact details will never be passed or shared with any third party or an unauthorised individual. If you have any queries, please contact: [email protected]

Thrombosis UK VTE Awards
Application form

Applications are accepted on the basis that Thrombosis UK can share the content with external judges who will assist us with assessments. Service models, resources and working processes of successful Thrombosis UK VTE Award winners will be uploaded to the Thrombosis UK website and shared via publications, social media, and other opportunities.

When completing your application form, you should use lay language and answer each question in a concise manner. 

Please keep to any word limits given.

All sections need to be completed, if any section is removed, omitted or incomplete, we cannot process the application.

Applications need to be submitted via email to: [email protected] You will receive a notification of receipt within 48 hours of submission. If you do not receive a notification, please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is 1st February 2025

We are unable to consider late applications.

Category
Thrombosis UK Award for outstanding patient resource, sharing information. about VTE prevention for patients and carers
Please note there is a separate application form for each category.
DATA PROTECTION

Thrombosis UK has a strict data protection policy that complies with UK data protection law.

Your name and contact details may be stored for up to 12 months in order for correspondence relating to your application be appropriately processed.

 

We wish to make you aware that your name and contact details, as included on your completed application form, will be viewed by the Thrombosis UK appointed Judging Panel solely for the purpose of reviewing and assessing your completed application.  If your nomination is short listed, a representative from Thrombosis UK will then seek your permission to include your name on the summary paragraph included in the awards brochure and on the Thrombosis UK website.

Thrombosis UK takes security and confidentiality very seriously. Your name and contact details will never be passed or shared with any third party or an unauthorised individual. If you have any queries, please contact: [email protected]

Thrombosis UK VTE Awards
Application form

Applications are accepted on the basis that Thrombosis UK can share the content with external judges who will assist us with assessments. Service models, resources and working processes of successful Thrombosis UK VTE Award winners will be uploaded to the Thrombosis UK website and shared via publications, social media, and other opportunities.

When completing your application form, you should use lay language and answer each question in a concise manner. 

Please keep to any word limits given.

All sections need to be completed, if any section is removed, omitted or incomplete, we cannot process the application.

Applications need to be submitted via email to: [email protected] You will receive a notification of receipt within 48 hours of submission. If you do not receive a notification, please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is 1st February 2025

We are unable to consider late applications.

Category
Thrombosis UK Award for Enhancing Patient Experience
Please note there is a separate application form for each category.
DATA PROTECTION

Thrombosis UK has a strict data protection policy that complies with UK data protection law.

Your name and contact details may be stored for up to 12 months in order for correspondence relating to your application be appropriately processed.

 

We wish to make you aware that your name and contact details, as included on your completed application form, will be viewed by the Thrombosis UK appointed Judging Panel solely for the purpose of reviewing and assessing your completed application.  If your nomination is short listed, a representative from Thrombosis UK will then seek your permission to include your name on the summary paragraph included in the awards brochure and on the Thrombosis UK website.

Thrombosis UK takes security and confidentiality very seriously. Your name and contact details will never be passed or shared with any third party or an unauthorised individual. If you have any queries, please contact: [email protected]

Thrombosis UK VTE Awards
Application form

Applications are accepted on the basis that Thrombosis UK can share the content with external judges who will assist us with assessments. Service models, resources and working processes of successful Thrombosis UK VTE Award winners will be uploaded to the Thrombosis UK website and shared via publications, social media, and other opportunities.

When completing your application form, you should use lay language and answer each question in a concise manner. 

Please keep to any word limits given.

All sections need to be completed, if any section is removed, omitted or incomplete, we cannot process the application.

Applications need to be submitted via email to: [email protected] You will receive a notification of receipt within 48 hours of submission. If you do not receive a notification, please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is 1st February 2025

We are unable to consider late applications.

Category
Thrombosis UK Award for advancing awareness and information sharing of cancer acquired thrombosis (CAT)
Please note there is a separate application form for each category.
DATA PROTECTION

Thrombosis UK has a strict data protection policy that complies with UK data protection law.

Your name and contact details may be stored for up to 12 months in order for correspondence relating to your application be appropriately processed.

 

We wish to make you aware that your name and contact details, as included on your completed application form, will be viewed by the Thrombosis UK appointed Judging Panel solely for the purpose of reviewing and assessing your completed application.  If your nomination is short listed, a representative from Thrombosis UK will then seek your permission to include your name on the summary paragraph included in the awards brochure and on the Thrombosis UK website.

Thrombosis UK takes security and confidentiality very seriously. Your name and contact details will never be passed or shared with any third party or an unauthorised individual. If you have any queries, please contact: [email protected]

Thrombosis UK VTE Awards
Application form

Applications are accepted on the basis that Thrombosis UK can share the content with external judges who will assist us with assessments. Service models, resources and working processes of successful Thrombosis UK VTE Award winners will be uploaded to the Thrombosis UK website and shared via publications, social media, and other opportunities.

When completing your application form, you should use lay language and answer each question in a concise manner. 

Please keep to any word limits given.

All sections need to be completed, if any section is removed, omitted or incomplete, we cannot process the application.

Applications need to be submitted via email to: [email protected] You will receive a notification of receipt within 48 hours of submission. If you do not receive a notification, please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is 1st February 2025

We are unable to consider late applications.

Category
Thrombosis UK Award for an excellent Quality Improvement programme that advanced practice in thrombosis prevention or management
Please note there is a separate application form for each category.
DATA PROTECTION

Thrombosis UK has a strict data protection policy that complies with UK data protection law.

Your name and contact details may be stored for up to 12 months in order for correspondence relating to your application be appropriately processed.

 

We wish to make you aware that your name and contact details, as included on your completed application form, will be viewed by the Thrombosis UK appointed Judging Panel solely for the purpose of reviewing and assessing your completed application.  If your nomination is short listed, a representative from Thrombosis UK will then seek your permission to include your name on the summary paragraph included in the awards brochure and on the Thrombosis UK website.

Thrombosis UK takes security and confidentiality very seriously. Your name and contact details will never be passed or shared with any third party or an unauthorised individual. If you have any queries, please contact: [email protected]

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