Patient Stories
I’m the Most Positive Person in the World: Colleen’s Story
My name is Colleen Meredith and my first experience with blood clots occurred my second year of college after having a lobectomy (a surgical procedure that removes a lobe of one of the lungs). I was on my university’s soccer team for my university, and I felt like I was always ill to the point…
10 Years After My Factor V Leiden Diagnosis: Deirdre’s Story
Why NBCA is Meaningful to Me – By Deirdre Callahan On Mother’s Day 1997, I developed a DVT (blood clot) in my femoral vein. I had been a mother for almost 2 weeks. When I called the hospital, they told me to make an appt. with my doctor in the morning — they didn’t think…
Blood Clots Changed Everything: Asher’s Story
Among those presenting at the March 14 awareness month briefing were Jennifer and James DeBouver, recent Army veterans who shared the heart wrenching story of their infant son. Both parents now work for the Department of Labor. When Jennifer was 26 weeks pregnant with Asher James, doctors discovered that he had a heart condition called …
You Are Not Alone: Mike’s Story
I was feeling quite a bit of pain and some swelling in my right leg 4 days after an accident at work. Since my work hours were ridiculous and I couldn’t get out in time to go to a workers’ compensation provider (heath care providers that treat people with workplace injuries, also called a “workers’…
No One Should Have to Wait Five Months for a Diagnosis: Carly’s Story
Up until my senior year of high school, I hardly had a worry in the world. Just like many other seventeen year olds, I was looking forward to my spring break, summer vacation, and beginning college. In April of 2012, my life took a turn for the worst. I began missing school because of unknown…
I Ignored My Symptoms: Jim’s Story
My name is Jim Murphy. I live in North Carolina. I am 62 years old. I am a victim of a bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE). My symptoms were telling. I ignored them. You shouldn’t. Five years ago, morbidly obese, I began a program of diet and exercise. Over a year, I dropped from 280 pounds to…
Waiting Could Cost You Your Life: Helen’s Story
My Name is Helen Smith. I’m 36 years old and have a genetic blood clotting disorder (thrombophilia) that could have taken my life twice. This is my story. In January 2008, I delivered my third son via cesarean section. Since this would my last planned pregnancy, I also elected to have a tubal ligation performed…
I Was Told I Had Broken Ribs: Hannah’s Story
I had just graduated from college and I was moving back home to Helena, MT to start my career as a registered nurse. I woke up one morning and noticed pain in my left shoulder. I thought I had slept wrong or pulled a muscle. The pain continued for the next few days. I noticed…
The Day Life Changed Forever: Ashleigh’s Story, As Told By Her Mother
Ashleigh’s Blood Clot Story, as told by her mother: The day life changed forever. I am a hardworking wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. I have raised three amazing children and been married for just over 25 years. My family is very unique as we live close to each other and most of us work…
I Never Thought it Could Happen to Me: Mariah’s Story
In October 2012, I started to feel a pain in my left calf. I immediately thought I pulled a muscle, so I tried stretching and even got new tennis shoes. The pain would not go away and after about three weeks, and shortness of breath joined in. I had to take breaks walking to class…
