Patient Stories
The Doctor Who Almost Sent Me Home was Very Apologetic: Jersey’s Story
On Nov. 17, 2021, I had a right knee arthroscopy, an outpatient procedure that only took only 15 minutes. I was told I would be back walking in two to three weeks. However, my healing time would be severely prolonged. Two days after my procedure, I began having a painful charley horse in my right…
Having a Blood Clot Taught Me to Seize the Day: Molly’s Story
I had been having pain while breathing and shortness of breath for a few weeks. I couldn’t speak full sentences without gasping for air, and I had been ignoring this and the pain because I didn’t feel like I had time to be sick. I tried to rationalize it as a pulled muscle or humid…
I’ve Never Been So Panicked in My Life: Adam’s Story
I had just gotten over a cold where I was laid up in bed for a few days, so I went for a run to get back on the exercise train. Shortly into my run, I felt an odd pain in my chest and decided to cut it short. The pain worsened over the next…
My Blood Clots Were a Result of an Ankle Injury: Martin’s Story
In December 2012, I was at work when a mild discomfort in my rib cage quickly become excruciating. Upon arriving at the ER, I was given various tests, including an EKG and ultrasound, which revealed blood clots in both of my legs, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Further testing confirmed that I had blood clots…
Keep Your Cell Phone Nearby: Bonnie’s Story
I got up on a Saturday in January 2023 and suddenly became nauseated and faint. I laid down on the floor and texted my husband since I was unable to call out to him. He helped me to the living room sofa and called 9-1-1. All of my vitals were fine, but the medics…
I’m Very Grateful for my Blood Clots: Erica’s Story
I woke up one morning with a slight twinge in my left side. I didn’t think much of it, though. I took some Advil and continued on with my day. Despite my discomfort, I went on a hike with my boyfriend. After we got back, my side was bothering me a bit more. I figured…
Not Knowing What Caused my PEs is Frightening and Frustrating: Kaprena’s Story
I’m 47 years old and grateful to be alive. This is because I experienced pulmonary emboli (PE) on three separate occasions. About six weeks after giving birth to my second son, I began to feel tired and thought I was coming down with a cold. My mother suggested that I go to the emergency room…
Everyone Told Me to ‘Eat a Banana and Shake it Off’: Vanessa’s Story
I was standing at the car wash waiting for my car when I experienced an extreme charley horse in my left calf. The pain was so intense that it knocked the wind right out of me. For five days, I pushed through the pain, continuing to go to work, massaging my leg, and putting cold…
I Was Fortunate to Have Survived This: Joe’s Story
In June 2017, I noticed a pain in my left calf. I had been walking several days a week, so I thought I may have pulled a muscle. I spent time trying to stretch it out over the next week, but it persistently got worse. The pain I had been having in my calf then…
The Medical Profession has a Long Way to Go: Joel’s Story
I’ve always been an active person, regularly hiking 40 miles a week. When I had extreme calf pain in 2011 at 54 years old, I went to ER and was diagnosed with an unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and was prescribed warfarin for six months. They did not know what caused the DVT and did…