Hi Folks... My name is John Shelton. I'm 37 and currently live in Georgia. My battle with the great DVT's began back in 1991 when I was living in Michigan.... I was working a lot of hours and came home late one night. Instead of heading to bed I fell asleep in my recliner, as I had for the previous 4 nights. Each morning I would wake up with my left leg swollen. I thought nothing of it at the time, just writing it off as "because of the way I slept". The swelling would go down not to long after waking and I wouldn't be bothered by it till the next morning. (Just as a note: This had never happened to me prior to this time).

The 5th morning, however, proved to be the worst. I awoke with my left leg swollen but this time it was twice the size as the previous mornings. I had slept hard that night so as usual I wrote it off as the way I slept. I got up and went about my daily morning activities as normal except this time the swelling didn't go away and there was pain involved this time. Being the stubborn fool I was (and still am), I shrugged it off and got dressed. This proved to be a chore since my leg was still swollen. Think of it this way... try stuffing a turkey into a sock... then you'll understand. Once dressed I headed out and done some errands then headed to work. Leg still swollen and hurting. Near the end of my shift my best friend, Ray, stopped by. We shot the shit as usual as I was finishing my shift and I told him about my leg and how it was still swollen and in pain. It was bad enough that I knew I wouldn't be able to drive home. He told me I should go to the emergency room to get it checked out. After some thinking I agreed and asked if he would take me, he said no problem. End of shift and off to the ER we head.

Well, after 2 hours and a few tests, including a venography, I was given the news that would change my life from there on out. The doctor can into the examining room and looked at me... then said "Mr. Shelton, we have found the cause of your swollen leg and pain. We're going to be keeping you for a couple of weeks to make sure you get the meds and rest needed to help combat it. Seems you have what's known as DVT (blood clots) in your leg." The doctor then turns and walks out. I just sat there looking at my friend Ray and comprehended what the doctor just told me. That was April of 1991... a lot has happened to me since then.

The DVT has spread to include my right left back in 1995 or 1996, can't remember which. I have taken enough coumadin to last me a lifetime along with enough Lopressor to do the same. Not to mention the different meds I've taken over the years to help combat the swelling. This is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I wouldn't want another person to go through this. From personal experience I can tell you that depression is associated with having this condition. Been there, done that... as the saying goes. I even went so far as to put a gun to my head to end it. I just couldn't take it anymore. My legs were swollen extremely badly, I had open lesions (ulcers) all over them, and in my mind I was nowhere near the man I once was. Like I said... a lot has happened to me since that day in the ER in 1991 and as I sit here and think about it, I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing. Everything that's happened since has made me who I am today. I am still dealing with DVT's but I have a whole different look at life. And I've got some of the best friends a person can hope for. Thank you all for being there for me... I love you all!!!