Fatality
We Were Dismissed: Kaylie’s Story
As told by her mother, Tina. My daughter Kaylie passed away at the age of 21 from bilateral pulmonary emboli that had gone undiagnosed even though she had been to the doctor just three weeks prior to her death. Her symptoms were severe upper back pain near her shoulder, shortness of breath, and rapid heart…
We Assume He Had Factor V Leiden: Landon’s Story
As told by his sister, Kenzie We made a family trip from Texas to Colorado at the end of July 2022, which is an 8-9 hour drive. Landon had asthma that was triggered by cedar. Since the trip, he had some allergy symptoms but associated that with the cedar. On August 5, 2022, my brother…
Make Doctors Take Your Concerns Seriously: Gwendolyn’s Story
As told by her daughter LaKeitha My mother passed away after experiencing difficulty breathing for a week. Despite visiting the doctor, they didn’t consider a blood clot. One night, fearing the worst, my father rushed her to the hospital. Tests on her upper body led to her admission due to ongoing breathing issues. Tragically, she…
Know the Warning Signs: Pam’s Story
As told by her daughter, Kelly My mother was 54 when she passed away from a pulmonary embolism. She had fallen and broken her ankle while walking across our street to look for a Mother’s Day card for my grandmother. The break was a bad one, so the orthopedic surgeon suggested surgery. We all were…
Our Family Has a Void That Will Never Be Filled: Blake’s Story
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving 2018, Blake was experiencing pain in his right leg, which he attributed to a pulled muscle. On Thanksgiving, he seemed to have mild cold symptoms and a slight limp. We discussed that he should go to the doctor if he didn’t feel better soon. That was the last…
Paramedics Assumed It Was Anxiety: Christina’s Story
As told by her mother, Darla My daughter, Christina, suffered a broken foot on January 6, 2015, just two weeks after her 30th birthday. The podiatrist put her in a walking boot and gave no restrictions. Christina then developed calf pain and went to the ER on January 10, 2015. The ER sent her home…
It’s Better to be Safe Than Sorry: Kyarra’s Story
As told by her mother Star My beautiful daughter knew she wanted to be a mom when she was in kindergarten. In May 2022, when she 23 years old, she gave birth to her daughter. Due to some medical issues, she had she ended up having an unplanned C-section. Three weeks to the day of…
Recognize the Signs of a Blood Clot: Othello’s Story
As told by his wife Tonia. On July 20, 2017, my husband Othello died from two big blood clots in both lungs (pulmonary emboli). We went to the hospital thinking he had developed adult asthma because his oxygen was lower and he had shortness of breath. The doctor advised that Othello would have to be…
She Had No Known Risk Factors: Shelby’s Story
As told by her mother, Noelle. My daughter passed at age 27 from a saddle pulmonary embolism on February 28, 2024. She stayed home from work with a headache. She got up after a nap, came downstairs and passed out. She came to and was clammy and sweaty. She said she was fine but we…
The Staff Was Unable to Restart His Heart: Joel’s Story
As told by his brother, Brandon. My brother Joel was sick with the flu for a couple of days at Marietta College where he was a freshman linebacker on the football team and a petroleum engineering major. He woke up one morning and told my mother by phone he was having difficulty breathing. No one…