DVT
I’ll Never Know the Cause: Ann’s Story
On March 19, 2024, my right arm turned purple from hand to shoulder with swelling. I went to the ER and was diagnosed with a 10-inch DVT clot in my upper arm. Since then, I have had four surgeries and six hospital visits requiring a total of 22 days of inpatient care. Currently, I have…
Four DVTs Over the Years: Alejandra’s Story
In 2006, I was 31 years old, living in my home country of Venezuela, and 20 weeks pregnant with my first baby when I felt a pain like a knot in my left upper thigh. My mom suggested I keep my leg up the rest of the day and I could see my gynecologist in…
The Doctor Said a DVT Was Highly Unlikely: Kelly’s Story
One week I was a healthy 24-year-old hiking mountains, the next I was bedridden in a hospital with an unprovoked 20cm DVT. I had an unusual cramping pain in my leg on a Friday night. I took some painkillers and decided to sleep it off. The next morning I felt okay and set off for…
They Couldn’t Figure Out What Was Wrong: Shantelle’s Story
When I was 20, I had some pain in my leg. I chalked it up to a pulled muscle. In the next few days, it seemed to get worse. My mom convinced me to go to the hospital, but they told me I was constipated and sent me home. The pain continued to get worse…
My Lungs Felt Itchy: Jessica’s Story
In 2021 I was feeling healthier than I had in years because I spent the previous 10 months working out and eating better. On April 14, I had varicose veins treated in my right leg. Two weeks later, I had a follow-up where they did an ultrasound on the leg and released me to resume…
I’m Happy to Be Alive: Lizzie’s Story
In September 2022, I underwent a foam sclerotherapy on the great saphenous vein in my left leg to treat a varicose vein. This is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedure that involves injecting a foam mixture into varicose veins to treat underlying vein conditions. At the time, I was unknowingly Covid positive for the second time in…
I’m Proud of How Far I’ve Come: Juliana’s Story
Less than two days after giving birth to her first baby, my aunt died of blood clots in her lungs and heart. I was 13 at the time and the news shocked the whole family. Two weeks after her funeral, I had some strange leg pain. I thought I had pulled a muscle or injured…
I Now Live My Life to the Fullest Every Day: Meghan’s Story
In April 2022, I was a normal 18-year-old preparing for graduation and college. My world would soon flip when I was diagnosed with a DVT that went from my hip to ankle. I was an active high schooler. I was a part of the varsity cheer team and marching band. When the pain in my…
I’m Grateful for the Insightful Urgent Care Provider Who Saved My Life: Mary’s Story
I had lower right leg pain for more than a month. I finally went to urgent care in October 2022. I described the pain as a pinging inside my leg and I thought it was a stress fracture. The provider asked a few questions about medications. I told her I took tamoxifen to reduce a…
This Was a Terrifying, Life-Altering, and Isolating Experience: Logan’s Story
I was home from college on winter break when I started feeling a cramp in my leg after working out at the gym. I thought I may have pulled a muscle. I kept stretching and it felt like it was never going away. The pain ended up moving all the way up to my lower…
