Most individuals at the age of 23 are brimming with energy, embracing the vigor of youth. However, for Marina Antoniou, a simple walk up the stairs left her breathless. Now a 38-year-old jeweller and designer, Antoniou has traversed a path unlike many others, one that baffled medical professionals and required numerous consultations.
Her journey began approximately 15 years ago when Antoniou, then a vibrant 23-year-old, sensed something amiss. “I was short of breath doing simple activities like walking up stairs,” Antoniou recounted to Neos Kosmos. Initially diagnosed with a chest infection, her condition was far more severe.
Diagnosis and Initial Struggles
The situation escalated when Antoniou experienced severe chest pain and began coughing up blood. “I went straight to the GP again. They sent me off for a CT scan and I didn’t even make it home before I got a call from the radiologist telling me to go straight to emergency,” she explained. The CT scan revealed multiple blood clots, known as pulmonary embolisms, in her lungs.
“To be honest, I had no idea what was going on. I didn’t even know that you could get blood clots in your lungs,” Antoniou admitted. The diagnosis was a shock, leaving her confused and frustrated that the condition wasn’t detected earlier.
“It was so disheartening, and it meant that I was required to be on blood thinners for life,” she said.
Antoniou’s initial treatment involved a week in the hospital undergoing anticoagulation therapy. However, six months later, the clots reappeared, necessitating lifelong medication. “That took me a long time to accept. I hated the idea of being on medication long term. But I had no choice, and it has now just become part of my life,” she reflected.
Living with the Condition
For five years following her diagnosis, Antoniou grappled with anxiety, fearing recurrence and the risks associated with blood thinners. Yet, her positive experience with warfarin and the ability to self-monitor at home proved beneficial. Her condition posed challenges once more during her pregnancies.
“From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I had to stop taking warfarin and switch to a much safer blood-thinning alternative,” she shared. This adjustment required daily injections throughout her pregnancies to prevent further blood clots.
“It wasn’t pleasant, but I accepted it as part of what I needed to do to keep myself and my babies safe,” she said.
Despite these challenges, both pregnancies proceeded smoothly, thanks to the support of her medical team. Antoniou’s experience underscores the importance of specialized care and the adaptability required in managing chronic conditions.
Advocacy and Awareness
Initially, Antoniou preferred to keep her health struggles private, but sharing her story publicly in 2016 became a therapeutic outlet. “Talking out loud and knowing that my story was helping others helped me heal in some sense,” she noted. Her advocacy extends to collaborating with the Heart Research Institute to promote cardiovascular health awareness.
“It’s a conversation that has been close to my heart for years,” she emphasized.
Antoniou advises others facing similar health challenges to advocate for themselves. “If you walk away from a doctor and it doesn’t feel right, go for a second opinion. Heart disease in women is so under-recognized and symptoms present so differently to men,” she stressed.
Embracing Heritage and Family
Beyond her health journey, Antoniou and her husband are committed to instilling their Cypriot and Greek heritage in their children. “We visited Cyprus two years ago and took the girls to three of the four villages my grandparents were born in. It was incredibly special to see their original homes and to meet people who still remembered them,” she shared.
Marina Antoniou’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and cultural connection. Her experiences highlight the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare and the profound impact of sharing personal stories to foster community awareness and support.
