* Please note: this is an old blog post. We now have a new and improved blog, which you can view here, we still have our Lemonade Box official website, where you can subscribe to our boxes (this is available to view @ www.lemonadebox.co.uk) and we have a sister brand - Pyjama Drama Box, the UK's only bimonthly pyjama and self-care subscription box, which you can check out @ www.pyjamadramabox.co.uk *
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Hey, everyone! It's Priya from Lemonade Box, here. We hope you're all well. As you may already know, our September boxes have officially gone on sale today (18/08/2019). This blog post is a little bit different, when compared to our existing content. It will explain exactly what Thrombosis UK is and our reasons for our upcoming donation. It is resultantly rather personal and we thank you for reading it, in advance. :)
For a little while now, Kyra and I have been saying that we wanted to do something for charity. As a company, giving back and spreading kindness is one of our biggest missions. We recently travelled to Woking, Surrey and donated a number of Lemonade Boxes to an organisation called YourSanctuary, which felt absolutely amazing. Following this visit, Kyra started doing some secret research into UK charities. She wanted to surprise me with something very special for my birthday and I can confirm that she definitely succeeded.
The Organisation
She found a company called Thrombosis UK and together, we decided that for every Lemonade Box we sell this September, we are going to donate 50p.
Thrombosis UK aim to ensure that people know the risk signs and symptoms of VTE and to support research to extend understanding into the prevention and best management of VTE. VTE is an acronym for venous thromboembolism, a condition that includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT - a blood clot that forms in one of the deep veins, usually the leg) and pulmonary embolism (PE - a very dangerous, potentially life-threatening condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs). If you would like to find out a little bit more about this organisation, their website is: https://www.thrombosisuk.org/our-mission.php
My Personal Experiences
Kyra knew that this organisation would be very special to me, as it is to her, because when I was 18-years-old, I was diagnosed with a bilateral pulmonary embolism (blood clots in each lung) and a DVT. I suffered with breathing problems for approximately one month and despite seeing numerous doctors and nurses, I was continuously told that there was nothing wrong with me. On several different occasions, I physically couldn't breathe and had to have ambulances come to my house. However, even after seeing multiple paramedics, I was still told that I was fine.
Days leading up to my diagnosis, I became completely bedridden. The clots in my lungs had grown so much that when I did as little as turn my head to the side, I would be panting for air. The night before I was admitted to hospital, I began to experience excruciating pain in my left leg. By the morning, I was unable to walk. My parents, obviously being very distressed throughout the entire month or so, called an ambulance and physically refused to allow the paramedics to leave my house until I was given a diagnosis. I was then taken to hospital and finally given my diagnosis. My doctor told my parents and I that I am extremely lucky to be alive and if I hadn't come in today, I wouldn't have come in at all.
I stayed in hospital for two weeks and had to use a wheelchair for approximately one month. I was given an anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication called Rivaroxaban, which basically ensures that your blood stays thin enough, so that the likelihood of it clotting is reduced. After taking this medication for six months, I was told that it should be safe to discontinue the treatment. However, just a few months later, I began to get the same symptoms of breathlessness and chest pain. I returned to the hospital and was diagnosed with the same thing, again. Luckily, because I recognised the symptoms, I managed to get treatment much quicker and was able to walk this time, so I didn't have to use a wheelchair.
I must now take Rivaroxaban for the rest of my life - it is just one tablet a day and is much easier to manage than many alternative anticoagulant medication, so I feel extremely lucky.
These traumas definitely took their toll on my mental health and quite often, they still do. I have irreversible damage in my leg and as a result, often still feel pain. However, my story is only being told to raise awareness of the effects that blood clots can have. I am very headstrong and I have the most amazing business partner and family that continuously support me.
At the time of these incidents, Kyra and I had not met. However, since meeting her, she has been nothing short of amazing. We have both had our fair share of battles with mental health, but we are always there for each other and thus, provide each other with emotional support whenever it is needed. I am so happy she managed to find Thrombosis UK, because I think it is so important that people are aware of exactly how dangerous blood clots are, what the signs and symptoms are, how to prevent them and how to best manage them.
I particularly like that Thrombosis UK specialise in educating others about blood clots, because in my experience, knowledge regarding this condition is limited. You know your body better than anyone, so it is very important to do your own research. If my parents hadn't done so much research into my symptoms whilst I was sick, I'm not sure I would still be here. So, in case you were wondering what the symptoms of a blood clot are...
Symptoms of a DVT:
It's important to note that sometimes DVTs occur with no symptoms. So, if at any point you feel as though something isn't right with your leg or perhaps your breathing, get it checked. If symptoms are present, they include:
- pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs (usually your calf)
- a heavy ache in the affected area
- warm skin in the area of the clot
- red skin, particularly at the back of your leg below the knee
Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism:
- breathlessness - which may come on gradually or suddenly
- chest pain - which may become worse when you breathe
- sudden collapse
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. We hope you can appreciate how special this organisation is to us and how honoured we are to be able to donate, even a small amount to such a great charity.
Our September Lemonade Boxes are absolutely gorgeous. They include 6 luxury, high-quality items and we are very excited to send them out to you. Again, if you would like to place an order, please visit our website @ www.lemonadebox.co.uk :)
All our love
Lemonade Box