I have Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APLS) APLS causes my blood to clot more quickly and can lead to pulmonary embolism, strokes, mini-strokes, to name a few. I was diagnosed in 2003 after a blood clot in my right eye that could have left me blind. I lived on Warfarin, a blood thinner, for 8 years before my doctor reran all my tests. I had no more clots during this time, even though the Warfarin was hit and miss when I didn't have health insurance. The tests came back and the doctor decided I could live off of Warfarin. I've been fine, except for a very swollen calf after a plane ride to Las Vegas, some killer migraines, a painful streaking up the back of my head at times and my verbal dyslexia. I have some moments where I feel as if I am the only one experiencing a small earthquake that only lasts 3 seconds.
I was told that should I become pregnant I would need to be on injections of Heparin, another blood thinner, or baby aspirin.
I learned I was pregnant on August 30th. It was on Erev Shabbat and I told my boyfriend before we left for Friday night Services. We were excited and nervous and squeezed each other's hands conspiratorially throughout the service. We didn't know it would end in tears and so much blood loss for me a transfusion was a possibility. We didn't know that the lack of knowledge from doctors would play a role in our sadness.
