Patient Stories
I’m On More Medications Than My Grandmother: Brianna’s Story
In April 2021, my arm started hurting. I went to a walk-in clinic and they told me I had heartburn. I was prescribed a heartburn relief drink and went home. The next day, my arm was still killing me, but then the pain moved into my chest. That scared me enough to go to the…
I Am a Woman of Faith and That Has Kept Me Encouraged: Jody’s Story
This is my second experience with a blood clot. I had my first deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in 2013 when I was 47. I did not have any risk factors. I had not been hospitalized, taken a long trip, or been on birth control. I am an educator and am on my feet most of…
I Suffer from Anxiety and PTSD Now: Louise’s Story
On January 1, 2002, I woke up feeling like I had a weight on my foot and was dragging my leg. As the morning went on, my leg felt like it was double the size of my right, and I was in pain. My husband took me to the emergency room. The doctor believed I…
Never Give Up: Beril’s Story
At the beginning of 2022, when I was 18, I started feeling pain in my chest. Since I was a professional triathlete preparing for the next season’s races, this pain was negatively affecting my training. I ignored the pain and difficulty breathing and pushed myself harder. However, one night I woke up with extreme pain…
My Newborn Son Developed a DVT Before Birth: Sydney and William’s Story
My son William was born August 21, 2020 and was healthy. But two days later, we noticed that his right leg was swelling up and turning purple. He was transferred to our local children’s hospital and he was admitted to the NICU on August 24, 2020. We were in the NICU until September 11. He…
I’ve Reset My Priorities: Jessica’s Story
In January 2020, seven days after getting married, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 29. After six brutal months of chemotherapy, my cancer was in remission, and I was ready to return to “normal” life. Unfortunately, my health continued to worsen. In December 2021, I had pain, swelling, and bulging veins in my right…
It Was Impossible to Know That a Deadly Clot was Developing: Jeff and Abigail’s Story
My husband Jeff passed away suddenly from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that developed into a pulmonary embolism (PE) 19 days following ankle surgery to repair a fracture. There were no warning signs. He was an active and healthy 52-year-old with no history of any clotting disorders. His leg was wrapped from the foot to…
I Saw Five Doctors Before I was Diagnosed: Sherrye’s Story
My story is not that I had an extensive deep vein thrombosis (DVT), since this happens to so many of us. My story is that it took me five weeks and five doctors, plus one physical therapist to have my symptoms truly heard and diagnosed. I had even asked all the right questions and pursued…
An Article About Serena Williams May Have Saved My Life: Nisheera’s Story
I had my youngest son on December 26, 2019 via C-section. Recovery at home wasn’t too bad outside of the normal pain from having a baby. But at about a month postpartum, I began to have chest pain and found it hard to do simple tasks. I ignored the pain and convinced myself it was…
Don’t Ignore Calf Pain or Shortness of Breath: Scott’s Story
My dad had deep vein thrombosis (DVT) many years ago and was diagnosed with factor V Leiden. Because of this, I was tested and found to have inherited this mutation as well. Thanks, Dad. In 2019, my calf was swollen and painful. The doctor sent me to get an ultrasound. It was a DVT. After…
