Patient Stories
I’m More Present and More Grateful: Brandon’s Story
Watch a video of Brandon’s story: I had my first blood clot when I was 29. It started as a subtle cramp in my left calf—nothing alarming at first—but it slowly got worse, even with icing and massaging. When I woke up one morning and couldn’t put any weight on it, I knew something was…
Awareness Could Have Saved My Sister’s Life: Brenda and Vanessa’s Story
As told by her sister, Vanessa Brenda passed away on January 10, 2025, at 36. After almost three months of waiting, our family finally learned the cause of her death: pulmonary embolism due to lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. I’d heard of this condition before but never thought someone her age could be affected. The…
Symptoms Were Misdiagnosed as Asthma: Paul and Denise’s Story
As told by Paul’s mother, Denise. We wish we had known the symptoms of blood clots, and we wish we had known they can affect anyone, at any age, at any time. Sadly, Paul, Jr. was not one of the lucky ones. He did not survive his blood clot. He passed away on September 19,…
The Scariest News of My Life: Cherryl’s Story
In early September 2024, I noticed major swelling in my left leg/ankle but did what any 34-year-old would do — I chalked it up to something I ate that was bad for me. I had massages lined up toward the end of September to make me feel better from other health issues and stress at…
Now, I Want to Heal: Taylor’s Story
I gave birth to my daughter on March 15, 2022 via C-section. By April 9, I had developed debilitating pain in my right lower extremity, as well as a low-grade fever. I called my doctor, and she stated my pain was sciatica and the fever was not attributed to my recent surgery. My leg didn’t…
He Spread Kindness Everywhere He Went: Finley and Veronica’s Story
As told by Finley’s mother, Veronica Finley had been diagnosed with factor V Leiden homozygous in May 2023. I asked for him to be tested due to family history. No one explained his diagnosis to us, nor was it given any credence when brought up at doctor appointments. In June of 2024, in the height…
I Live with Both APS and Factor V Leiden: Eloise’s Story
It was December 2020, and I was about four weeks pregnant. I spent a lot of time lounging on the sofa during the festive break. One day I noticed my arm began to feel tight and stiff, but I put it down to my lounging and holding my phone. Around a week passed and my…
I Strive to be a Champion for Others: Corena’s Story
My journey with blood clots has profoundly shaped my understanding of both physical and spiritual wellness, becoming the cornerstone of my life. The first episode occurred in 2011 when I was three months pregnant with my fifth child. I had been experiencing persistent pain in my left leg, I was dismissed each time I went…
Continued Shortness of Breath Two Years After My PE: Shara’s Story
On New Years Day 2023, right as I was getting ready for bed, I started experiencing what felt like a strained muscle in the middle of the right side of my back. I briefly mentioned it to my partner as we were going to sleep but I didn’t think much of it until the next…
I Did Not Have Any Risk Factors: Stephanie’s Story
On November 21, 2024, I made an appointment with my primary care provider, thinking I would be diagnosed with a pulled muscle in my leg. She immediately knew it was not! She scheduled an appointment later in the afternoon with a vascular doctor. Sure enough, the ultrasound found a DVT from the middle of my…
