Filter Patient Stories by tags…

DVT

My First DVT Was Related to My C-Section: Salonda’s Story

I had my first child by emergency C-section. A couple of weeks later, I noticed a huge bruise on my left upper thigh. The pain was horrible, and I had to hop to get around the house, so my doctor ordered an MRI that detected a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot in my…

Read the full story

My Survival Was a Miracle: Jessica’s Story

Jessica Phillips survived a life-threatening PE right after giving birth to her fourth child.  Her DVT symptoms were overlooked and a massive PE ensued, so her OB doctor introduced many changes in her practice to prevent DVT and PE after Jessica’s near death. On October 29 2010, I gave birth by C-section to my fourth…

Read the full story

Spent the Night Googling My Symptoms: Lauren’s Story

By: Lauren Hamentz My name is Lauren Hametz and I graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in May 2012 with a Masters degree in Secondary Education, although I am originally from Edinboro, PA. Recently, I stumbled upon Stop The Clot on Facebook, and immediately felt a strong connection to National Blood Clot Alliance. Why?  In…

Read the full story

I Ran More Than 9,400 Miles In My Dad’s Memory: Jay’s Story

Jay Danek was bereft after his father died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism, so he wanted to share how important his father was to him. A few months after his father’s death, he decided to start a running and lost over a hundred pounds. Jay has also used his running to raise money for National…

Read the full story

Her Death Taught Us Lessons: Deborah’s Story As Told By Her Twin Sister, Mary

Mary Bare wrote this story about the death of her twin sister Deborah from a pulmonary embolism.  She is so motivated to spread awareness of signs and symptoms of DVT and PE and is using social media to do so via a Facebook page called Forever Deborah. My name is Mary Bare.  My story is personal,…

Read the full story

I Want to Use My Experience to Help Others: Samantha’s Story

I had zero problems with my health until three years ago, when I was 19, and started on birth control pills to treat acne that did not respond to over the counter medicine.  I am a non-smoker, never had any weight problems, and have not been in the hospital since I was two years old.…

Read the full story

Foot Surgery Resulted in a DVT: Bridget’s Story

Bridget Schaap thought she was having simple foot surgery, and was  surprised to find that she developed a blood clot after it. When I look back, it’s hard to believe all that happened to me.  As I prepared to quit my job and move from Chicago to Michigan to begin graduate school in December 2010, I…

Read the full story

I Didn’t Think Blood Clots Could Happen to Me: Jim’s Story

Jim Smith had DVTs in each leg and a PE after a prostatectomy, and he is now dealing with complications. My story begins in 2006 when I had abdominal surgery for a prostatectomy.  I was hit with a massive pulmonary embolism (PE) ten days after I was discharged from the hospital.  Luckily for me, it…

Read the full story

 I Still Live With a 6-Inch Blood Clot: Cassandra’s Story

Cassandra Bradshaw was at death’s door due to a large blood clot found in her inferior vena cava and an infection after delivery, but she refused to believe her prognosis and is now a hopeful survivor who wants to spread awareness. I was 23 years old when I gave birth to a sweet baby boy…

Read the full story

My Son Died at 14: Kyle’s Story, as Told by His Mother

I am the mother of Kyle Baca, who at age 14 was the victim of a “massive bilateral pulmonary embolism” (PE) on the morning of October 30, 2010. I knew Kyle was sick, but I thought it was an upper respiratory infection at the time.  He played football that season for his high school freshman team,…

Read the full story