Patient Stories
Remembering my Godson and Making a Difference: Dianna’s Story
After three and a half years, I am ready to share my story about blood clots and pulmonary emboli. My story is tied to my godson, Paul Englert Jr., who unfortunately did not have the same outcome as me. Almost four years ago, he lost his life to a pulmonary embolism at just 19 years…
When in Doubt, Check it Out: Melissa’s Story
Three years ago, I was starting a new school year with dozens of other school teachers in my district. About a week after going back to work, I noticed some changes in my health. I seemed more fatigued than usual, and I noticed my ankles were swollen. While walking my son around his new school…
Getting It Checked Out Could Save Your Life: Wheeler’s Story
I am a true testament to the fact that a blood clot or blood clotting disorder can affect anyone. As a healthy 14-year-old boy, blood clots had never even crossed my mind. My story begins on Christmas Eve in 2016. I was having trouble walking, and my leg was swollen. I was paranoid about it,…
My Blood Clot Experience as a Professional Fireman: Pat’s Story
My name is Pat, and I am a professional fireman in Iowa. In January of 2008 – after fighting a house fire in subzero temperatures – I got off shift and later that day I was having trouble breathing. I checked my vitals and saw that my oxygen saturation was low, so I went to…
Surviving Blood Clots is Life-Changing: Jackie’s Story
I was just recently diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in my left leg, and acute pulmonary emboli (PE) in my lungs. It all began in early March of 2017, with an unexplained persistent cough. Shortly thereafter, I began to also have shortness of breath. I thought I was developing asthma. Although I initially ignored…
Blood Clots Are Serious: Susan’s Story
During the third trimester of my fourth pregnancy, I began to have a burning sensation in my left leg when I stood on it. I felt silly for being worried about something that seemed so insignificant, but I eventually called the on-call obstetrician. He told me to take an over-the-counter pain medication, and to stay…
No One Knows Your Body Better than You: Rebecca’s Story
I’ve always been active and healthy, and I was always involved in a lot of sports growing up. Now, as a 28-year-old woman, I’ve maintained a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition as well as exercise. I have enjoyed running, high intensity interval training, and yoga for years now, and I am currently training for my…
A Reason to be Grateful: Andrew’s Story
A pulmonary embolism – PE or blood clot in my lung – nearly took me away from my family last August. Not to mention, the weeks of misery and surgery that followed due to fluid build-up from pneumonia and scar tissue combined to entrap the same lung. I was 31 years old, a vegetarian, non-smoker,…
In the Blink of an Eye: Cody’s Story
My name is Cody. I am 22 years old, and I live in Seattle, Washington. I was a heavy smoker for about 10 years, which was a bad choice, I know. On February 9, 2017, I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in my right lung, factor V Leiden heterozygous, and pulmonary infarction. It all…
Former World Champion Swimmer Katie Hoff’s Blood Clot Story
Katie Hoff is a three-time Olympic medalist and Former World Champion Swimmer who has held several American and world records throughout her career. She was forced to retire from the sport in 2015 due to the development of blood clots in her lung, known as pulmonary embolisms, or PEs. Katie is best known for her…
