Patient Stories
How a Leg Injury Silently Led to Life-Threatening Pulmonary Embolisms: Megan’s Story
A spontaneous decision to jump into a bouncy castle changed my life. What started as harmless fun ended with three broken bones in my foot. As my body worked to heal from the injury, blood clots quietly formed in my leg—deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I had no warning signs. No pain. No swelling. Then I…
To My Amazement, I Finished a 10K Weeks After My DVT Diagnosis: Kathy’s Story
I’m a healthy, active 45-year-old who lives a busy, active life. In December 2025, everything changed when I was suddenly taken down by a massive blood clot in my leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT). It started about a month earlier with what I thought were calf cramps. They never went away and slowly crept…
Find Doctors Who Will Listen: Justin’s Story
As told by Justin’s mother, Lauren: “Justin’s experience with blood clots started as back pain after a hockey tournament. We went to the emergency department and were told it was spasms and to follow up with an orthopedic doctor. Justin was diagnosed with a bulging disk and started physical therapy. In a month, we went…
This Has Had a Lasting Emotional and Physical Impact: Jessica’s Story
I am a 24-year-old first-year medical student. On December 18, 2025, I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition that requires prompt recognition and treatment. That day, I initially presented the emergency department with severe shortness of breath, near-syncope (fainting), and a rapid heart rate (tachycardia). I …
Abdominal Blood Clots Following Cancer Treatment: Tiffani’s Story
When I developed my first clot, I was undergoing immunotherapy for stage 4 metastatic melanoma. My regimen was four infusions, five weeks apart, to boost the immune system and help fight the cancer. After that, I received additional infusions at a lower dosage. At first, I had no side effects other than fatigue, then I…
Be Patient with Yourself and Listen to What Your Body Needs: Maja’s Story
In February 2022, when I was 16 years old, I woke up with intense chest pain, shortness of breath, and pain in my left leg. At first, I thought I had COVID-19, as I had no idea what a blood clot was. However, after visiting my pediatrician, I was told to go to the emergency…
Trust Your Gut and Push for Answers: Elle’s Story
After an eight-mile run in November 2025, I had pain behind my knee/high calf. I thought I may have strained it, but after two days of rest, I could barely walk. I went to urgent care on the third day, knowing something was off. The nurse laughed and yelled at me and said I was…
Diagnosed with Vascular Disease and Post-Thrombotic Disorder at 28: Hayley’s Story
In October 2024, I had a sore groin for three days. Scans showed nothing, and my GP said it was likely a muscle strain from work (I’m a crane driver). I was given pain relief and told to rest. On the fourth day, I woke up unable to walk. My leg was swollen and purple.…
Your Body Remembers How to Fight, and Your Spirit Knows How to Rise: Isabelle’s Story
Nine 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. I went from running and training to being stuck in a boot, unable to walk, with my leg swollen and heavy. The pain was physical, but the fear…
Know Your Family Medical History: Jesus’ Story
I’ve been in and out of the hospital throughout the year, starting in January, when I underwent surgery to treat a pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I had been experiencing pain and swelling in my leg, but I didn’t have any symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, like chest pain or shortness of…
