Patient Stories
Given a Baby Aspirin Instead of Blood Thinners — Keri’s Story
But I’m Here. I Survived. In April 2024, I underwent ACL reconstruction surgery after rupturing my ACL. About a week after surgery, I started feeling pain in my back. I brushed it off, assuming it was from sleeping differently since I had to keep my leg straight and had been sleeping on my back. The…
I Was 72, Flying Cross-Country, With No Idea What a Blood Clot Was: Gail’s Story
I Didn’t Listen to My Body Two years ago, after traveling and flying across country with my 8 pound dog on my lap, I came down with what I thought was the flu or bronchitis. I had a nagging cough that wouldn’t go away. I got a script for cough medicine. The Pain Began Almost…
I Was Awake During My Thrombectomy — Sara’s Story
There Are Moments That Divide Your Life Into a Before and an After I’ve only heard the words “pulmonary embolism” a handful of times in my life. It was a term really reserved for the unthinkable — the kind of thing that happens to other people, not me or my loved ones. February 2nd On…
A Three-Hour Flight and a Genetic Mutation I Didn’t Know I Had — Amanda’s Story
Better Safe Than Sorry In February 2022, I took a quick trip to Florida from New York — a simple three-hour flight each way. A few days after I returned home, I started to notice a pain in my upper back. I assumed I had pulled a muscle. My doctor agreed it was likely muscular,…
39, No Risk Factors, and Four Pulmonary Embolisms: Kimberly’s Story
Every Breath Is a Gift It started with a shortness of breath I couldn’t explain. At 39, you expect to be tired — but you don’t expect your lungs to fail you. There was no injury, no long flight, and no history of blood clots. It was “unprovoked” — the medical term for a nightmare…
May-Thurner Syndrome, Two PEs, and a Month in Athens: Lefkie’s Story
Health Is a Privilege, Not a Guarantee At 18 years old, I was an incoming college freshman, excited to open a new chapter of my life filled with exciting experiences and people. Everything changed when I was diagnosed with two massive pulmonary embolisms and DVT in my left leg. It Started in Greece I was…
Half the Veins in My Brain Were Completely Occluded With Clots: Lucy’s Story
A 5 in a Million Diagnosis Just before Christmas in 2024, I was making my dinner. When I stood up from bending down at the dishwasher, I felt a sudden shock go down my head and neck — and instantly heard whooshing in my ears, which I now know is pulsatile tinnitus. I shrugged it…
A Broken Ankle Became a Blood Clot That Changed My Life: Isabelle’s Story
8 months ago, my world stopped. What started as a simple ankle fracture turned into a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — a blood clot that changed everything. From Running to Unable to Walk I went from running and training to being stuck in a boot, unable to walk, my leg swollen and heavy. The pain…
A Torn ACL Led to a Life-Threatening Pulmonary Embolism: Dawn’s Story
Luckily They Found The Clots in Time It all started back in 2024 when I injured my knee. I came to find out I had torn my ACL with my right knee. Not knowing that clots were forming in my leg and traveling, I had my MRI appointment. Something Was Wrong My heart was racing.…
“It Felt Like an Elephant Was Standing on My Chest” — Nicolle’s Story
I am writing to share my story with you and to express my gratitude for the guidance the NBCA has provided during my journey and recovery. After a life of travel, excitement, activity, and adventure — most recently zip lining in Costa Rica, traveling the Caribbean seas, exploring the mountains of Aspen, and actively playing…
