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What began as mild leg pain and heavy bleeding soon turned life-threatening for a homemaker, as months of ignored symptoms led to a near-fatal lung clot and a massive tumour. “I thought it was just a leg pain due to heavy bleeding during my menstrual cycle. I assumed it was a common thing, especially during menopause. I regret avoiding these signs for months,” said Oneza Gite, who recently underwent life-saving surgeries at Medicover Hospital in Navi Mumbai.

Sudden collapse

On February 4, Gite’s condition worsened. She fainted while bending at home and was rushed to a nearby hospital before being shifted for advanced care. She had acute breathlessness, cold sensation in her lower limb, repeated vomiting, loose motions and persistent calf pain before the episode.

The four kg fibroid removed from the patient’s body. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Critical diagnosis

The patient with her husband

“She was shifted to the ICU. A CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)confirmed a life-threatening saddle-shaped thrombus in the main pulmonary artery extending into both the right and left pulmonary arteries, a condition that can rapidly turn fatal if not treated immediately. Further CT abdomen imaging revealed a giant fibroid with degenerative changes, reaching up to the lower part of the chest bone,” said Dr. Badal Taori.

Treatment dilemma

Dr Anuranjita Pallavi

Doctors faced a dual challenge of treating both the lung clot and the fibroid. “We decided to remove the clot first as operating on the fibroid could have increased pressure on her lungs and heart,” said Dr Taori. We opted for mechanical catheter-directed thrombectomy over IV treatment to directly remove the clot and avoid complications. This also allowed immediate  surgery for the fibroid the next day. The clot weighed nearly two litres.

Missed warning

Doctors said ignoring symptoms worsened her condition. Breathlessness, prolonged calf pain, heavy bleeding, vomiting and weight loss, there were so many signs that her body was giving her. If she had paid attention, the condition wouldn’t have worsened to this level – neither physically nor monetarily.

Patient speaks

“I remember feeling sudden breathlessness, and then everything went blank. I was told later that my condition was critical. I never imagined that calf pain could lead to something so serious. I feel grateful and blessed to be alive.”