• Health
  • Nutrition
  • Cannabis
  • Beauty
  • Fitness
  • Life
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Meet Dr. Ross
    • Interviews
    • Media Requests
  • Services
    • Business Consulting
    • Influencer Marketing
    • Speaking
    • Web Design
  • Books
  • Courses
  • Consultations
  • Blog
    • Health
    • Nutrition
    • Cannabis
    • Beauty
    • Fitness
    • Life
  • Contact
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Dr. Michele Ross

Cannabis Coach & Cannabis Consulting

  • Meet Dr. Ross
    • About Dr. Ross
    • Press Coverage
  • Services
    • Advertising
    • Business Consulting
    • Influencer Marketing
    • Speaking
    • Web Design
  • Contact
  • Books
    • Vitamin Weed
    • CBD Oil For Health
    • Kratom Is Medicine
    • Train Your Brain To Get Thin
    • Journal Yourself To Health
  • Courses
    • Cannabis & Motherhood
    • Cannabis For Pelvic Pain
    • Cannabis For Migraine
    • Cannabis For Fibromyalgia
  • Consults
Dr. Ross > Health > Blood Clot Survivor – My Journey Back To Health

Blood Clot Survivor – My Journey Back To Health

By: Michele Ross, PhD · Published On: December 26, 2017 · Last Updated: October 9, 2021

Celebrating 6 years of being a blood clot survivor!

The day after Christmas, 2014, I woke up feeling unable to breathe and having severe chest pain, despite being an otherwise healthy 32 year old woman. I thought I was having a heart attack. Turns out I was half right.

Shout out to all my friends that are #survivors. A year ago I was applying for a professor position when this happened & stopped me in my tracks. So happy to say I’ve circled back & finally on the same track now that I’m healthy enough to do take on the responsibilities of teaching students & running a lab. A year ago doctors failed to diagnose blood clots in my leg & both lungs, despite going to the ER 5 times in 3 weeks & suddenly ending up in a wheelchair due to not being able to walk on my left leg. It was only after having a heart attack that the hospital did anything for me. My lung had collapsed & all my pulmonary arteries were blocked. It was a miracle I survived, as most pulmonary embolism patients die in their sleep, even the young ones. The damage to my lungs & body and weakness caused by not be able to breath much air in for months meant I was in a wheelchair, then walker, then cane & my painful recovery took months. I’m pretty sure I’m never going to run a marathon, but I’m happy to say after a year that I can stand for more than 5 minutes at a time, I can walk around a museum, and I can even swim for 10 minutes. I am grateful for what I can do and always pushing my limits, taking into consideration the fibromyalgia & neuropathy I’ve been left with. Life is precious, enjoy the people you are with & each breathe you take. Exhale all the bad energy before it suffocates you! And always trust your body & get a second medical opinion, I would be dead if I did not get taken to a 2nd ER in the same day. #chronicallyawesome #fibromyalgia #pulmonaryembolism #bloodclot

A post shared by Michele Ross, PhD (@drmicheleross) on Dec 27, 2015 at 2:54pm PST

274 people die every day to blood clots. While the majority of patients are retirement age, young women in particular can get blood clots due to hormonal birth control. To learn more visit the National Blood Clot Alliance: https://www.stoptheclot.org.

recognize the signs and symptoms of blood clots

I hate things on my face and tags on my clothes. Yet this oxygen mask was to be a permanent accessory for almost half a year after my pulmonary embolisms.

I can #breathe! Yeah oxygen! #hospital #denver #lungbloodclots #imalive #thankful #hotmess

A post shared by Michele Ross, PhD (@drmicheleross) on Dec 27, 2014 at 4:55pm PST

I ended up being on oxygen 24/7 at home for four months, and had to lug a huge portable oxygen tank that weighed like 20 pounds when I left the house. It was too heavy for me, so it got added to the backpack of my wheelchair.

My new #BFF my #oxygen #robot.

A post shared by Michele Ross, PhD (@drmicheleross) on Dec 31, 2014 at 12:40am PST

I ended up with a walker to encourage me to stay active, as blood clots could recur if I stayed in bed all day. The problem was with my lungs damaged and super painful, I had little energy to even stand up, never mind walk. It took me walking for 5 minutes a day for a month to start to get some stamina back, and it was the most incredibly painful and grueling experience I ever had.

I even had to have someone push my oxygen tank behind me, because I wasn’t strong enough to push my walker and the oxygen tank. I also would lose feeling in my left leg and both feet at times, so I couldn’t walk unassisted because I would fall over without warning. Man I was a hot mess!

My new #whip. #walker #PE #recovery #dontmesswithmeillblowyouup #oxygentank #mostinterestingwomanonsocialmedia #lol

A post shared by Michele Ross, PhD (@drmicheleross) on Jan 5, 2015 at 7:42am PST

Unfortunately my health issues weren’t over. I was actually scheduled for surgery for endometriosis in January 2015, but that had to be rescheduled to the summer because I was on blood thinners and could bleed to death during or after surgery.

I was still using my walker when I entered the hospital for surgery. I was quite scared of adding more pain and recovery to an already exhausting full-time job as disabled patient. Was there ever a time when you’re like why me? We’ve all been there.

#surgery day! #endometriosis #endowarrior #endosister #endo #ic #chronicallyawesome #hospital #selfie

A post shared by Michele Ross, PhD (@drmicheleross) on Jun 9, 2015 at 3:18pm PDT

I weaned myself off of opiates, Lyrica, and tons of other medications that were making me so sick I need to go the hospital weekly from side effects. Quitting cold turkey from my prescription of ms-contin (morphine) was one of the hardest things I had ever done, but it got easier with CBD and then THC edibles.

Slowly but surely I started to recover with the help of cannabis suppositories, cannabis edibles, topicals, CBD tinctures, and even vaping cannabis. I actually credit my lungs healing faster than they should of due to CBD and THC being anti-inflammatory and helping my lungs get rid of scar tissue and blood clots.

I still to this day avoid smoking joints or cannabis in pipes because it irritates my sensitive lungs, but that’s ok. Listen to your body and be ok with consuming cannabis the way YOU need to.

The exciting thing was when I was off my walker and onto walking with a cane. Finally, by spring of 2016, I could walk without a cane and stand up for almost an hour without passing out from fatigue. I was so happy! I started to host cannabis educational conferences with IMPACT Network and traveled to meet colleagues and lobby for cannabis legalization.

I am a neuroscientist & I support the CARERS Act. #CARERSAct reschedule #cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2, acknowledging the medical benefits of #marijuana & allowing researchers like me and those at @theimpactnet to do the #research that is needed to create treatments for #cancer, #PTSD, #addiction & so many conditions. #fundcannabisresearch #cannabiscommunity #mmj #thc #cbd #LegalizeCannabis #legalizeit #safeaccess

A post shared by Michele Ross, PhD (@drmicheleross) on Mar 22, 2016 at 9:19am PDT

A year and a half later in the summer of 2017 I was feeling more and more like myself. I can do fun things like play kickball with former NFL football players like Eben Britton of Athletes For Care and workout at cannabis gyms like Break the Stigma Fitness. I still can’t run 10Ks like I used to before my blood clots, but I can power through an hour long workout thanks to the pain relief from cannabis.

And yes, I’m wearing a THC molecule necklace in the picture below. Cannabis saved my life and I spark a conversation about it each day.

Beautiful day at the 420 Games in #Denver! Got to play kickball in the Athletes For Care Tournament on Team #williesreserve! #420games #cannabiscommunity #research #IMPACTcannabis #fibromyalgia #mmj #thc #cbd #cannafit #chronicallyawesome #breakthestigma

A post shared by Michele Ross, PhD (@drmicheleross) on Jul 22, 2017 at 2:15pm PDT

I posted this about a week before I started feeling symptoms of my DVT blood clot in my leg and I still felt healthy. Three years later, I would use the same words to describe my life now. What words would you use to describe your life?

3 words to describe me. #awake #alive #blessed What are your 3 words?

A post shared by Michele Ross, PhD (@drmicheleross) on Oct 8, 2014 at 7:10pm PDT

Just remember, you are not your disease or your injury. You are stronger than you know, and your strength will inspire others. I still have good days and bad days with fibromyalgia and other issues, but I am proactive about my health. I make sure I eat healthy, do yoga and breathing for meditations, and avoid alcohol so that I can be the best me I can be.

You can get through tomorrow #bestrong #makegoodchoices

A post shared by Michele Ross, PhD (@drmicheleross) on Sep 8, 2015 at 12:55am PDT

What good choices do you make each day?

Pin This Post

Dr. Michele Ross Survived Blood Clots in Her Lungs and Legs

Share This Post

Blood Clot Survivor - My Journey Back To Health
Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
Email
123 Shares

By: Michele Ross, PhD · In: Health · Tagged: blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, wheelchair

About Michele Ross, PhD

Dr. Michele Ross is a neuroscientist helping women heal chronic pain with CBD, cannabis, kratom, and mushrooms. She is the author of Kratom is Medicine, Vitamin Weed and CBD Oil For Health.

you’ll also love

young woman with blond hair putting on compression stocking over leg with bruises8 Hidden Health Risks Of Untreated Varicose Veins
nutritious hemp seeds on counter with wooden spoon7 Benefits of Using Hemp Seeds for Protein
white woman sleeping in bed4 Ways CBD Can Help You Crush It At Work

Join the List

Stay up to date & receive the latest posts in your inbox.

Primary Sidebar

Meet Dr. Ross

Meet Dr. Ross
hello!

I help women heal pain using plant medicines including cannabis and mushrooms.

Learn more

Connect

young woman reading vitamin weed book in bath tub while smoking a joint

join the list

Featured Posts

male doctor holding picture of kidneys

Can CBD Help Kidney Disease?

young asian woman with injured calf needs cbd oil

5 Best Ways To Treat Muscular Pain With CBD Oil

ladykind cbd women products hemp

My Favorite CBD Oil Products

Categories

  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Cannabis
  • Beauty
  • Fitness
  • Life

Search

dr. michele ross recommends ladykind cbd for sleep and period pain

ready to get started?

I can't wait to work with you!

I've been working with plant medicine for over 15 years, written 5 books, and spoken around the world. I know the ins & outs of what makes a good product and which ones you or your clients should be taking.

Education Services
dr. michele ross cannabis coach cbd consultant speaker author

follow @drmicheleross

No one is giving $2 w🌱🌱d gummies to children No one is giving $2 w🌱🌱d gummies to children trick or treating on Halloween. Those reports you hear on the news simply aren’t true! ⁣
⁣
However, if you are attending a Halloween party for adults, ask if the candies, goodies, or drinks are special or infused! Edibles are more common at parties as an alternative to alcohol, especially in states where the plant has been legalized for both recreational & medical use.⁣
⁣
If you’re not used to consuming, try a small piece or half a piece, drink plenty of water, and make sure you have a safe place to sit if needed. And always call a rideshare aka Uber or Lyft home!⁣
⁣
Happy Halloween! 🎃💀👻⁣
⁣
#halloweencostume #halloween #halloweencostumes #halloweenparty #halloweenpartyideas #halloweenpartyideas🎃 #besafeoutthere #parentingmemes #halloweed #microdosing #cannamom #halloweencandy #gummybear #trickrtreat
Happy National Mushr00m Day! 🍄 ⁣ Which is you Happy National Mushr00m Day! 🍄
⁣
Which is your favorite Medicinal Mushr00m?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
It's more important than ever to take mushr00m supplements. Here's a little about how my favorite four mushr00ms work:⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Lion’s Mane Mushr00ms: great for improving focus and memory. Lion's mane promotes neurogenesis, or birth of new brain cells.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Cordyceps Mushr00ms: great for fighting fatigue and increasing length of your workouts. It's especially helpful for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Turkey Tail Mushr00ms: great for supporting your immune system. Clinical trials have looked at its role in fighting cancer.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Reishi Mushr00ms: what can't the queen of mushr00ms do? It fights cancer, boosts the immune system, improves mood, levels blood sugar, and promotes heart health.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#cordyceps #reishi #reishimushroom #lionsmane #lionsmanemushrooms #lionsmanemushroom #turkeytail #turkeytailmushrooms #turkeytailmushroom #plantmedicine #medicinalmushrooms #shroomstagram #mushroomsociety #shroomies #functionalmushrooms #shrooms🍄 #mushrooms🍄
9/20 is National Magic Mushr00m Day. Why have a da 9/20 is National Magic Mushr00m Day. Why have a day to celebrate them?
Well in the United States & many parts of the world, they are still illegal, similar to another misunderstood therapeutic green plant we celebrate on 4/20. 
I've worked hard over the years in Denver & many other states to help decriminalize shr00ms and help people access information on how to use them for medical, spiritual, and stress relief purposes. I suggest following @decriminalizenature & @doubleblindmag for deeper info.
How are you celebrating today? ❤️ 🍄 ❤️
#fungilover #mushroomlover #psychedelictherapy #explorenature #natureistherapy
I’m not the only one, right? 😜 👩🏻‍🔬 💚
As a neuroscientist, I put out the first book on the potential causes of endocannabinoid deficiency and how to balance your ECS with or without plant medicine. 
From stress to medications to diet to your genes, there are so many ways your ECS go go haywire. The fact that so many people respond to plant medicine is likely because so many of us have severe imbalances.
Want to learn more, including what many of these terms mean? Check out my books (including Vitamin Weed) & courses via the link in my bio. 
#sciencelover #cannabiseducation #cannabisscience #lovelanguage #lovelanguages
At least in Nevada under the Board of Pharmacy... At least in Nevada under the Board of Pharmacy...
This is a huge victory, especially for POC in Nevada who were unfairly targeted by police and arrested due to this legal loophole despite legalization of this plant.
The ACLU sued the Nevada Pharmacy Board & won the case. An additional judgement on whether or not the board should regulate the plant at all any more is coming in future weeks.
Still waiting for @Potus to legalize on the Federal level. What are we waiting for?
#aclu #rights #medicinewoman #norml

Footer

On the Blog

  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Cannabis
  • Beauty
  • Fitness
  • Life

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Advertising
  • Careers
  • Contact

Next Steps

  • Book a Consult
  • Shop Books & Courses
  • Infused Partners Brands
  • Shop AURA Kratom
  • Join MushroomMD
  • Join Kratom Is Medicine

© 2023 Infused Partners. This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.