Blood Clot Awareness Month – A Personal Journey

Dear Green Nurse Sherri,
I heard about the blood clot in your leg and wanted to check in on you. You’ve always been so committed to health and wellness, advocating for lifestyle as medicine, so I can’t help but wonder—what happened? If you’re open to sharing, I’d love to understand more, but most importantly, I want to know how you’re doing. Please know you have my support, and if there’s anything I can do, I’m here. Wishing you a smooth recovery.

Take care,
Concerned and Curious

Dear Concerned,
Thank you for reaching out with your kindness and curiosity—it truly means so much to me. I also appreciate your interest in learning more about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and my unexpected journey with this condition. To put it lightly, it turns out my blood has a flair for overachievement when it comes to clotting—who knew it had such ambitious tendencies? It’s a humbling reminder that even the healthiest lifestyles can’t always outpace genetics, hidden risks, or life’s unpredictable moments.

To say I was taken aback by this diagnosis would be an understatement. One day, I was living my best life feeling great, and the next, I was navigating the challenges of a DVT in my leg. What followed was a whirlwind of urgent care visits, ultrasounds, MRIs, blood tests, medications, and more hours than I’d like to admit with my leg carefully propped up. It’s been a journey, to say the least. I’m deeply thankful to be able to manage this from the comfort of my home, avoiding the need for hospitalization.

Rather than letting this experience completely weigh me down, I’ve chosen to turn it into an opportunity to raise awareness. March is Blood Clot Awareness Month, and I’ve taken some time to reflect and share my story. I’ve learned so much—about recognizing clot risks, understanding this condition, and why even those who feel “perfectly healthy” should stay informed. Awareness is key, and if my experience can help others, then it’s a journey worth sharing.

Your support and thoughtfulness mean the world to me—thank you, truly. Wishing you health, happiness, and a clot-free life. And don’t forget to keep taking care of your endocannabinoid system!

With gratitude,
Nurse Sherri – The Green Nurse

Blood Clot Awareness Month March 2025: A Personal Journey and Call to Action

Each year, Blood Clot Awareness Month in March serves as a crucial reminder of the impact blood clots have on countless lives. In the United States alone, blood clots affect approximately 900,000 individuals annually, leading to 100,000 deaths and standing as a leading cause of preventable hospital deaths (National Blood Clot Alliance, 2025).

My Personal Experience with Deep Vein Thrombosis
I make it a priority to receive weekly massages as a way to nurture and support my endocannabinoid system. For me, massage is a powerful tool for promoting health, healing, and overall well-being—much like cannabinoids. However, during a massage session a few months ago, something unexpected happened. As the therapist gently worked around my knees, particularly the area behind them, I felt a wave of anxiety. I wasn’t sure why, but I instinctively knew I needed to ask her to avoid that spot. It didn’t feel right, and I chose to trust my intuition at that moment.

A few weeks later, after a day filled with exercise and walking, I started noticing a persistent heaviness in my lower calves, particularly behind both knees. The discomfort was more pronounced in my right knee than in my left. What ultimately drove me to seek medical attention was the sudden appearance of a lump behind my right knee. It seemed to manifest overnight, and my legs began to feel unbearably heavy—as if they weighed a thousand pounds. While the right leg was clearly worse, both felt compromised.

On January 28, 2025, overwhelmed with worry, I went to urgent care seeking answers. The swelling behind my right knee immediately caught the physician’s attention, leading them to suspect a Baker’s cyst. However, an ultrasound revealed a much more alarming reality: a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in my right leg. My heart sank. I was stunned and terrified. How could this be happening to me? The diagnosis felt surreal, especially considering my active lifestyle and the absence of any significant risk factors that I knew of.
Further testing revealed that I carry a heterozygous Factor V Leiden mutation, significantly increasing my risk of developing blood clots. It felt like a betrayal by my own body, with the weight of uncertainty and fear pressing heavily on me. The journey that followed has been nothing short of grueling—filled with pain, frustration, and the demands of a strict treatment regimen. I am focusing on self-care and slowing down, as circumstances have made it necessary.

Then came another startling revelation from my mother: my father had once been hospitalized for atrial fibrillation (AFib) and chest pain. During his stay, doctors discovered he had suffered from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a pulmonary embolism (PE) in his 60s. This was a part of his life he had rarely spoken about—something I had never known. That moment was heartbreaking. How could I have been unaware of such a critical piece of my family’s medical history? How many others might unknowingly be at risk simply because these vital conversations aren’t happening?
This experience highlighted the critical importance of sharing family medical histories. Many clotting disorders, like Factor V Leiden, have genetic roots. When families are informed about these risks, they can take proactive steps and seek medical guidance when needed. Understanding hereditary health risks isn’t just helpful—it can be life-saving (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \[CDC], 2024).

As a parent of three children, each with a 50% chance of inheriting the Factor V Leiden mutation, this knowledge carries significant implications for their health and future. I informed my children right away because individuals with this condition must take specific precautions in certain situations. These include long-distance travel, extended periods of immobility, surgery, pregnancy, hormonal birth control, and other medical procedures. Awareness and preparation are essential to navigating these risks and protecting their well-being.

Adding another layer of complexity to my journey, I experienced a mild case of COVID-19 in 2023. At the start of the pandemic, I was initially vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, followed by Moderna boosters. Recent research has suggested a potential link between certain COVID-19 vaccines—particularly adenovirus-vector vaccines like Johnson & Johnson—and an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (Hippisley-Cox et al., 2022). While this connection is still being studied, it has made me reflect on whether my own clotting event could have been influenced by the vaccine. This underscores the importance of raising awareness and promoting open, informed discussions about the potential medical risks associated with vaccines. I am not anti-vaccine; rather, I believe in being well-informed and making thoughtful decisions instead of simply following the crowd. Had I known beforehand that I have the Factor V Leiden mutation, I might have reconsidered some of my vaccination choices.

The Importance of Blood Clot Awareness Month
The theme for Blood Clot Awareness Month 2025 is “Do Your Part to Stop the Clot: A Call to Action.” This initiative emphasizes that everyone—patients, healthcare professionals, and the general public—plays a vital role in combating blood clots. Sharing personal stories, like mine, can help others recognize symptoms early, seek prompt medical attention, and feel less isolated in their experiences (National Blood Clot Alliance, 2025).

How You Can Get Involved

• Participate in the 100,000 Reasons Challenge: Engage in physical activity throughout March to honor the 100,000 lives lost annually to blood clots. This virtual event encourages movement—be it walking, running, or dancing—to promote clot prevention and raise awareness (National Blood Clot Alliance, 2025).
• Share Your Story: Personal experiences can be powerful tools for education and support. Consider sharing your journey or that of a loved one to help others navigate their own challenges.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of blood clots. Disseminate this information within your community to foster a well-informed public (CDC, 2024).

The Endocannabinoid System and Blood Clotting
Emerging research suggests that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in regulating blood clotting by influencing platelet function and vascular tone. The ECS, composed of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), endogenous cannabinoids, and enzymes, helps maintain homeostasis throughout the body. Studies indicate that activation of CB1 receptors may promote platelet aggregation, while CB2 receptor activation could have anticoagulant properties by reducing inflammation and clot formation (Pacher & Mechoulam, 2011).

This balance within the ECS underscores the need for further research, particularly for individuals with clotting disorders. While cannabinoids such as CBD have been shown to have potential anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects, their role in clotting is complex and requires careful consideration, especially for those on anticoagulant medications. Understanding the ECS’s influence on hemostasis is essential for developing potential therapeutic strategies for managing blood clot risks.

Amid taking a much-needed pause from my busy life, I’ve integrated a variety of healing practices to support my endocannabinoid system. These include energy healing techniques, the Biomat, Lifewave patches, and homeopathy. I’ve significantly reduced my use of cannabinoids to explore alternative methods that complement the prescribed Eliquis in addressing the clot.

This journey has been both challenging and deeply transformative. It has pushed me to face my vulnerabilities, become a steadfast advocate for my own health, and cherish every step I am still able to take. Adapting to this new reality, I now use a cane for walking, humbling myself to rely on assistive devices that provide safety, stability, and mobility. After all, motion is the lotion and movement has been a pillar in my health and wellness. Going from 10,000 steps a day to 2500 at most with use of a cane has been humbling.

Caring for your Endocannabinoid System

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of DVT and PE

Awareness is the first line of defense against blood clots. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Swelling, pain, tenderness, or redness in the leg, often starting in the calf (CDC, 2024).
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that may worsen with deep breathing, rapid pulse, or coughing up blood (CDC, 2024).

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. Time matters, and acting quickly can save your life. My symptoms didn’t align with the typical signs of DVT, and I feel truly grateful that it never dislodged to develop into a PE.

Moving Forward
My ongoing journey with DVT and starting my second month on Eliquis has been one of fear, resilience, and profound learning. There have been days when the pain and uncertainty felt overwhelming, yet this experience has revealed a strength within me I knew existed but had forgotten about. It has underscored the importance of truly listening to my body, seeking medical advice when something feels off, and understanding the vital role of awareness in prevention and early detection. As we recognize Blood Clot Awareness Month 2025, I encourage everyone to educate themselves, share knowledge, and take proactive steps to “Do Your Part to Stop the Clot.”

Furthermore, I encourage families to have open discussions about their medical histories. If my father’s experience had been openly discussed earlier, I might have been more aware of my own risks sooner. That knowledge could have spared me some of the uncertainty and fear I have endured. By sharing these histories, we provide future generations with the knowledge they need to safeguard their health.

We owe it to ourselves, and to each other, to speak up, to ask questions, and to stay informed. You never know whose life it might save—including your own.

For more information and resources, visit the National Blood Clot Alliance’s official page on Blood Clot Awareness Month (National Blood Clot Alliance, 2025).