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Birth control

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…

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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…

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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…

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I Still Can’t Bend My Left Foot: Marjorie’s Story

When I was 23, no one knew of my genetics. My parents adopted me, and I had no medical history. For the most part, I had a healthy childhood. I had my fair share of broken bones, all in my arms and hands, from various sports. But I never had any complications, besides some lingering…

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I Didn’t Have the Typical Symptoms: Victoria’s Story

I am a healthy 23 year old who exercises 6 times a week, eats healthy food, and has never smoked. After returning from nearly a year overseas, I decided to change my lifestyle and lost nearly 20 kg (44 pounds) in the past 5 months. During this period I became really in tune with my…

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I Knew Something Was Wrong: Jessica’s Story

I was 25 years old in January 2011, and I knew nothing about blood clots.  Several months prior to that January I felt a mild, irritating pain in my right side.  It occurred mainly when I was laying down too long, hiccupping, or when my breathing was heavy. I went to my doctor; she ordered…

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I Thought it Was Appendicitis: Samantha’s Story

  My name is Samantha and I am 20 years old. On April 12th, 2013 I walked into the emergency room (ER) thinking I had appendicitis. A week prior my 6’2″ friend sat on my back for while I played cards on the floor. Since then, I was having symptoms like nausea and an extreme…

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Be Your Own Advocate: Michelle’s Story

My name is Michelle, and like many of the patient stories on this site, I stumbled upon the Stop The Clot Facebook page during my research for more information on blood clots. On October 29, 2013, I survived a life-threatening blood clot in my calf (deep vein thrombosis or “DVT”) and lungs (pulmonary embolism or…

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My Daughter Died From The Pill at 16: Theresa’s Story, As Told By Her Mother

Note: This is Theresa’s story, as told by her mother Laura Femia Buccellato: My  story……….My 16 year old daughter Theresa came to me and told me she had  sexual intercourse for the first time.  I was not happy about it, but I was happy she came to me about it. She asked me about going…

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Don’t Stop Fighting: Tara’s Story

  Tara Robison was startled at age 20 by 21 blood clots in her lungs. She was misdiagnosed at first, but her persistence in seeking further care saved her life. In June 2010, I felt a pain in the right side of my upper chest that I thought at first was just gas pain.  I…

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