Man
I Don’t Believe They Ever Knew in the ER That He Had a Blood Clot: Mike’s Story
As told by his wife Mendy My husband Mike was a healthy, active 50-year-old who suddenly passed on December 19, 2024, due to an unprovoked pulmonary embolism. His autopsy listed a saddle and bilateral main and right and left pulmonary thromboembolism, with complete 100% occlusions within the main right and left pulmonary arteries. The night…
I Keep Worrying That It Will Happen Again: Michael’s Story
One day at work, I suspected that I had malaria. I went to the hospital and had a rapid test done, and the results showed that I was negative. But I went ahead and started taking malaria drugs for three days because I was feeling terrible. I sought treatment again, but at a different hospital,…
We Must Be Advocates for Ourselves and Our Family Members: Marcus’ and Shannon’s Story
As told by his daughter, Shannon In April 2024, my father, a retired police lieutenant, was diagnosed with duodenal cancer. He was unable to have the tumor removed and was undergoing chemotherapy. In late August 2024, he started complaining about being dizzy and lightheaded. He went to his primary care provider who told him that…
I Dealt With Pain and Swelling For Five Years: LaVon’s Story
After leaving the gym in 2017, I experienced the worst pain imaginable in my right leg without having an injury. I thought maybe the pain would leave after icing and elevating it. But, as the day went on, the pain and swelling worsened to the point I couldn’t stand or walk on it. I went…
Blood Clot Survivors Can Do Anything: Charles’ Story
In the summer of 2012, I was training hard, running, lifting weights, and eating clean. My goal was to be in my best shape for my best friend’s bachelor party in Las Vegas on Labor Day Weekend. My wife and I also took a trip to Europe. I was running along cobblestone streets and swimming.…
I’m Worried About Whether They Missed Something: Morne’s Story
I simply woke up one day with a swollen painful right leg. I didn’t think much of it until my lady suggested that I make my way to the ER for a quick check. They did an ultrasound and found the clot from my knee to my calf. They immediately injected me twice in the…
I Was Diagnosed With MVT and PVT: James’ Story
I began having a belly ache on Friday, August 3, 2012. I was unable to use the restroom. The only relief I got was laying in hot water in the bathtub. I did this every half hour or so. It continued to worsen, and by Sunday, August 5, it was almost unbearable. Finally, my wife…
It’s an Ongoing Battle to Stay Well and Manage This Life Condition: Callum’s Story
At 29, I considered myself to be fit and almost indestructible. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I have a myriad of athletic accomplishments. I’ve run multiple marathons, I’m at a healthy weight, and I train in the gym regularly. All of the above left me feeling completely lost when I started to experience…
Surgery and Travel Resulted in Three DVTs: Chris’ Story
In 2006, I completed my fall lacrosse season in my senior year at Eastern University. I was experiencing a lot of knee pain and after an examination, I was diagnosed with a torn meniscus. I needed knee surgery to clean out the knee and fix the tear. The day after my surgery, I noticed that…
Advocating For Awareness Has Been Incredibly Rewarding: Dan’s Story
On July 31, 2021, after being misdiagnosed and sent home almost a week prior, I finally received a diagnosis that would forever change my life: sub-massive pulmonary emboli and pulmonary infarction. I call it “the back pain that saved my life.” My primary symptom was upper back tightness and discomfort, which I later learned was…