Patient Stories
“My Leg Went Stiff, Foot Was Grey and I Was in Tremendous Pain So I Went Directly to the ER.”
My name is Heather and I nearly lost my leg after a routine surgery took a scary turn. In March 2025, I had surgery for varicose veins on my right leg, and everything went well. Two months later, I returned for the same procedure on my left leg. It was considered a standard surgery, similar…
A Solo Traveler’s Near-Fatal Blood Clot at 33,000 Feet: Emily’s Story
In February last year, at 33 years old, I experienced what my cardiologist later called a “catastrophic medical event.” I was traveling solo on a long-haul flight from Toronto to Dubai, on my way to meet friends. Seated in economy class, in the window seat and about 10.5 hours into the flight — after sleeping…
My Daily Birth Control Was the Cause of My DVT and 4 Pulmonary Emboli: Courtney’s Story
Three years ago, I woke up on a Friday with pain in my calf that felt like a cramp that would not go away. I had big plans that weekend, so I went along my way, but the pain never went away. Sunday morning, I iced and heated my leg, thinking I just pulled a…
Dismissed for Over a Week: Chelsea’s Story
I am on the Ohio State Women’s lacrosse team and on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, I felt sharp breathing pain after a warm-up sprint. The next day I could barely practice. I felt light-headed and like I couldn’t breathe. I was hardly able to walk. By Friday, I told my trainer and didn’t practice. On…
I Felt the Moment Blood Flow Returned to My Lungs: Melissa’s Story
I am sharing my story to raise awareness about how quickly a blood clot can develop, even after what seems like a routine injury. My pulmonary embolism on February 28, 2024, was provoked by an ankle fracture, and the warning signs were far more subtle than I ever expected. During my recovery, I assumed the…
The Calf Pain I Ignored for Months Was Actually a Massive Blood Clot: Melisa’s Story
I have always been a very avid runner and I was training for my 7th marathon when I developed pain and swelling in my left leg in August of 2024. I thought I had strained my calf and did physical therapy but I didn’t make any progress. I attempted the marathon but ultimately dropped out…
The Nurse Said I Was Wasting Their Time: Elizabeth’s Story
In the summer of 2020 I started to have leg pain. It went on for a little while but I just assumed I hurt it somehow. It was peak COVID and I wasn’t about to go to a doctor’s office unless I had to. But, after a week or two I started to notice some…
I Was Skeptical About Getting Scanned — The Results Changed Everything: Amanda’s Story
In the summer of 2020 I started to have leg pain. It went on for a little while but I just assumed I hurt it somehow. It was peak COVID and I wasn’t about to go to a doctor’s office. After a week or two I started to notice some swelling. I was complaining to…
I Was Told I Was Just An Anxious Mom — Then They Found a Clot In My Lungs: Olivia’s Story
In early 2025 I was pregnant with my third baby and began feeling breathless and tight chested at around 17 weeks pregnant. I knew it wasn’t my asthma as my reliever inhaler didn’t help. I mentioned it to a GP who told me it was the pregnancy, but I hadn’t experienced this with my previous…
Postpartum Blood Clots Don’t Only Happen to High-Risk Patients: Kristelle’s Story
In February 2014, shortly after giving birth prematurely to my twin sons at the age of 34, I developed severe back pain. For about a week, I continued to go about my daily activities despite the symptoms. The pain and swelling were especially severe during physical activity and less noticeable at rest. Within days, my…
