Patient Stories
A Pain in my Neck Almost Killed Me: Dan’s Story
My name is Dan Jensen. I am 42 years old, and, until a rare blood clot stopped me in my tracks, I had considered myself somewhat invincible. That last statement deserves some qualification. I have always considered myself to be medically lucky. Cancer does not run in either side of my family, my grandparents lived…
My Saving Grace: De’Shawn’s Story
As I look back on my blood clot experience, my symptoms started in mid-July, when I had a sharp pain in my right calf. I recall asking my aunt, a former nurse, “How do you know when you have a blood clot?” I dismissed the pain I was experiencing as due to a recent increase in…
Staying Positive Despite Numerous Blood Clots: Martin’s Story
My name is Martin R. Lemieux, and for over 20 years now I’ve survived five DVTs – blood clots in my left leg, one clot in my right leg, and another clot in my left pelvic area. As if that wasn’t enough, I’ve also had to manage three massive chronic wounds that will not heal.…
Forever Changed: Summer’s Story, as Told By Her Partner
My name is Hub Williams and I would like to share my wonderful partner’s story. On January 6, 2016, we lost a loving, caring, and amazing woman — who was only 36 years old — to a pulmonary embolism (PE or blood clot in the lung). Her name was Summer Kylene Gibney. She was very healthy and…
Blood Clots Changed Our Lives: Corey’s Story, As Told By His Mother
My name is Tammy Capman and I would like to share a story about my son, Corey Capman. He is 17 years old and his story changed our lives in August 2014. Corey is a typical teenage boy. He has school, sports, friends, etc. He is outgoing and confident with goals for his future. Corey…
A DVT in My Arm Changed My Life: Hailey’s Story
My name is Hailey Rutherford and I am a 23 years old. My story is complicated. I was married last year on February 7 and experienced a lot of life changes. One of those changes was being put on birth control pills. Due to irregular menstrual bleeding, I was switched to a stronger dosage pill. On…
Knowing Your Risk Could Save Your Life: Jessica’s Story
My name is Jessica Nichols and I am a 28-year-old female living in Cheshire, England. In December 2015, I had the shock of my life when I was diagnosed with a Pulmonary Embolism or blood clot in my lung. I woke up one Saturday with a very sore knee. However, I didn’t think much of it at the…
Finding Strength in Numbers: Brittney Berlingeri’s Blood Clot Story
We are all incredibly strong, remember that when the bad days outweigh the good ones. My name is Brittney Berlingeri and I am twenty-two years old. Over the summer, I was diagnosed with a pulled muscle that was then diagnosed as “pneumonia,” despite the fact that my D-Dimer test was elevated. I could not breathe. It was…
Don’t Wait to Get Help: David’s Story
My name is David Chadwick and I am a 27-year-old male. On January 18, 2016, I was walking to a shop that is about three minutes from my house. I typically use this time to make mobile calls, as the reception in my house is terrible. I was on the phone with my friend when she said,…
Changing My Outlook on Life: Natalie’s Story
On January 25, 2016, I found out I had a blood clot after going to a follow-up doctor’s appointment. Ten days prior, I had cosmetic surgery and was advised that developing a blood clot was possible, but I never thought it would happen to me. Two days after surgery, I noticed my left leg was swelling…