It was in 2012, just 10 days after giving birth to my second son, when I suffered a massive bilateral pulmonary embolism while registering his birth.
I collapsed on-site and was rushed to hospital. My condition rapidly deteriorated, and I went on to endure multiple life-threatening complications
Unaware, I had developed a large bilateral pulmonary emboli (PE) on the left side and clots were found in the upper, middle, and lower lobar branches of my left pulmonary tree, extending into the segmental and sub-segmental branches.
I also had clots on the right side, where a large embolus was located in the lower lobe pulmonary artery, extending into the segmental and sub-segmental branches.
The doctors noted that there was significant right ventricular strain, and together I went on to experience four separate cardiac arrests and suffered collapsed lungs with small pleural effusions (fluid on the lungs), which resulted in long-term lung scarring and inflammation.
Treatment was also complex as I suffered severe bleeding and required blood transfusions.
Recovery was a long and difficult journey with more issues to overcome including and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis. After recovering from an induced coma and 10 days in intensive care. I needed physiotherapy to regain function, and still experience mild to moderate respiratory disease and a weakened immune system.
However, I am a fighter and determined to enjoy life, despite the severity of my condition, I made a full neurological and physical recovery apart from lung scarring and I went on to study at university, where I earned a degree, and now work as a secondary school computer science teacher.
I am deeply grateful to be alive and able to care for my family and pursue a career I love.
I want to do everything I can to help raise awareness of postpartum thrombotic risks and to educate both the public and medical professionals. I hope that by sharing my story, lives may be saved through earlier recognition and intervention.
