Patient Stories
Giving Back After My DVT: Karen’s Story
In July of 2004, I was diagnosed with a DVT in my left leg. I had experienced swelling and pain in my left calf, ankle and foot, in addition to fatigue. Until I was diagnosed however, I didn’t have the faintest idea what was wrong with me! My mother had experienced two PE’s years ago. I…
A Clot From My Belly Button to Knee: Jane’s Story
It’s around 4:00 AM, and I’m still awake. Why? Because I am 20 years old and want to feel normal again and I can’t make what I am dealing with go any faster. My story started awhile ago. Unknowingly, I began using a well known brand of birth control patch that was so prominent that…
Proudly Wearing Compression Stockings: Katie’s Story
Katie was a junior in high school in 2007. Her periods were irregular and her doctor suggested that she begin taking birth control pill to regulate them. We told her physician that her father had been diagnosed with factor V Leiden after a tiny stroke at age 39. We were told that this constituted a…
Having a PE/DVT After a Leg Fracture: David’s Story
By: David Bock September 2009 I was seriously injured when I slipped and fell in Upland, California on March 8, 2008, while visiting there from my home in Arizona. I was rushed to the emergency room of the nearest hospital where the ER doctor diagnosed fractures of my left tibia and fibula in my lower…
Bullying Led to Blood Clots: Jessica’s Story
Jessica Stanley experienced physical trauma after a bullying incident in high school, from which she developed blood clots in her left leg and lungs. After taking a year off, she was proud to finish her senior year, and is now a blood clot survivor in her early 20s. My name is Jessica Stanley. Six years…
Blood Clot Awareness is my Platform: Lisa’s Story
Lisa Thomas is Mrs. Rosemount and is a contestant in the Mrs. Minnesota pageant. She is using her pageant platform to promote awareness about risk of blood clots, because she is a survivor of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and wants to use the pageant microphone to help Stop The Clot. My name is Lisa…
Don’t Let Anyone Dismiss Your Symptoms: Haley’s Story
I am a 21 year old female who was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in February 2012. I grew up playing sports, enjoyed many outdoor activities, and loved spending time with my loved ones. I had just moved about 900 miles away from home to Northern Ontario to begin nursing…
I Felt Like I Was Having a Heart Attack: Jessica’s Story
Jessica Stadler went from being a healthy, active young woman to someone with 3 pulmonary emboli (PEs), and she wants to alert everyone to the signs and symptoms of DVT and PE, so that they seek care right away. I have always been considered the healthy one among my friends and family. As an athletic young…
