On August 4, 2023, I had my left knee replaced. Surgery went well and I started physio. By September 29th, I could barely make it down the long hall to get to physio. That night I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, and I could not get up the stairs to go to bed without stopping for a rest. The next morning, I went to the ER. The triage nurse asked me if I was there for a transfusion before my blood was even taken!! After my bloodwork showed my hemoglobin to be 46, I was admitted and given 3 units of blood. I had an emergency colonoscopy and endoscopy where they found enlarged weeping veins which were cauterized. The blood thinner I had taken for ten days after knee surgery was the probable cause. The doctor said it may have been a symptom of the heart condition I had been diagnosed with the year before, moderate stenosis of aortic valve. I was in hospital until my numbers improved.
I then saw my cardiologist who was skeptical but said my heart condition did not require blood thinners so I should be okay, I never had any symptoms with my heart and was being monitored , with my new knee, my blood issue resolved I started exercising more, lost weight and I was enjoying my new lease on life.
In October 2025 we were travelling when I twisted my other knee, we were on a tour and it was suggested I take Advil. My knee improved. I only took 3 Advil pills. We finished our 15-day tour and were staying on another week. I had caught a cold from other people on tour, we had travelled a lot, and I began to get tired. At the resort we just relaxed but I was getting weaker, I saw a doctor who diagnosed me with a bronchial infection so he prescribed cough syrup and prednisone, I was leery about taking drugs but used cough syrup. We stayed for few more days then came home. I went to the ER to get checked out. My hemoglobin was 54 I needed 2 units of blood. I did not know Advil contained blood thinner. My weeping veins had returned in 2 areas. I also had a TAVR replacing my Aortic Valve and then emergency pacemaker.
I feel 100% now thanks to donors I have flourished❤️
