Birth control
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…