A 17-year-old never expects to be told she has a life-threatening condition.

It seemed to come out of nowhere one day for Safford’s Lexi Peru, a multi-sport athlete who just finished her junior year.

Peru noticed a large red streak in a vein on her right leg. She started experiencing pain soon after. An athletic trainer at Eastern Arizona College told Peru to go to the hospital.

Safford center fielder Lexi Peru played in just one conference softball game in 2009 before being diagnosed with a genetic blood clotting disorder that caused her to miss the rest of the season. Peru was told by doctors she may never be able to play contact sports the rest of her life, but Peru is not ready to give up what she loves the most. Photo by Brian Wright

The first couple of visits to the hospital didn’t produce meaningful answers about Peru’s condition. Something happened a few days after she first saw the red streak in her vein that magnified the urgency of the situation.

“One day at school I was having trouble breathing,” Peru said. “I couldn’t catch my breath at all, and (there were) sharp pains in my right side.”

Peru was taken to the hospital again, and it was discovered she had a pulmonary embolism — a blocked artery in the lungs caused by a blood clot. She was then flown to a hospital in Phoenix.

It was a traumatic time for Peru and her family. Peru’s best friend and softball teammate, Chantel DeBruler, shared many of those painful moments with her.

The most serious concern was for Peru’s life, which was in danger. DeBruler visited Peru in the hospital to lend as much support as possible. That time in the hospital was almost as hard on her emotionally as it was for Peru.

“When I saw her in the ER, I started bawling,” DeBruler said.

The friends did a lot of crying together, but DeBruler’s presence had a big impact on Peru.

After several blood tests were run in Phoenix, Peru was told she had a genetic blood clotting disorder. She was informed that she couldn’t play contact sports (which included softball) for six months. Doctors also said she may not be able participate in those activities for the rest of her life.

For someone who has a burning passion for sports, this was difficult news to receive.

“All I did was cry,” Peru said. “I never expected anything like that to happen to me.

“That was really hard on my whole family because that’s what I live for. That’s what I do,” Peru said.

After a week in Phoenix, Peru finally came home. She was no longer playing softball, but she was with the team every step of the way.

Not being able to take the field didn’t keep her from contributing. Her leadership skills and constant support helped the team become closer.

“She was still a huge part of the team,” Safford softball coach Chastity Broderick said.

The coach said even though Peru has considerable athletic skills, she is more impressed with Peru as a person.

“She has a great upbringing, great character and has great respect for people,” Broderick said.

Peru is far from letting the disorder take control of her life. She plans oto fight every step of the way and expects to play all the sports she loves again soon.

What she wants more than anything is to play volleyball her senior year this fall. She will find out if that is possible when she goes back to a hematologist group in September.

While Peru expects to win the fight and play whatever sport she wants, she has also considered backup options.

Her competitive nature won’t allow her to stay away from sports entirely.

“If I get good enough at golf, I’m going to try out for the team,” Peru said, breaking into a smile.

Going through such a life-changing experience has taught Peru a few things.

“My health is more important to me right now. As much as I’m going to miss everything I do, it’s way more important. I think I should be grateful for what I have.”

Peru has shed many tears — mostly behind the scenes, but her outlook remains optimistic. She understands the risks of going back on the court but will do everything in her power to get back the life she knows and loves.

“It’s my senior year. I want to play,” she said.