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I’m Very Anxious: Joel’s Story
In 2004, following two invasive surgeries in four weeks, I had a severe event. I had an immediate pain in my calf and suspected a blood clot. I told the surgeon and he said I didn’t have the symptoms of a blood clot, and aside from my calf pain he was right. There was no…
I’m Back to Doing Everything I Want to Do: Joe’s Story
My story began with a nagging ache in my calf. I had ignored it for a few days thinking it was a pulled muscle. Other than a leg cramp, I did not have any other symptoms. I had done my usual six-mile run and worked in the yard later that day. It was not until…
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…
With Gratitude, Optimism is Sustainable: Todd’s Story
In 2011, I suffered the first of seven blood clots. This was the start of my new life and a wake-up call heard loud and clear. Little did I know during in the early days about the connection that would surface dating back to the day I lost my only parent, my mother, to a…
Don’t Ignore Symptoms of a Blood Clot: Marvin’s Story
In 2017, I was having redness, warmth, pain, and heaviness in my right leg. I was 17 at the time and I had just begun my senior year in high school a few weeks before. I was in school when I first saw that my leg was red, and I made a mistake by not…
UPDATE – Thrombosis Has Deeply Impacted My Family: Gerry’s Story
In February 2023, Gerry shared his family’s serious challenges with blood clots. He’s now updating it to reflect significant new results from the genetic research project his family is doing with Yale Smilow Cancer Center. Gerry’s presented his family’s story to five Senate/House committee staff as part of Capitol Hill Day on March 6, 2024…
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…
Blood Clots Kicked Me When I Was Already Down: James’ Story
I woke up one morning in the summer of 2011 with nausea and pain in the left side of my torso/abdomen. At first, I wrote it off as a stomach bug and called in sick at work. After a couple of days, I was feeling worse so went to an urgent care clinic. The doctor…
I Felt Like I Was Having a Heart Attack: Andrew’s Story
For over a month and a half, I had excruciating, indescribable pain in my leg. I was given lab tests, but doctors couldn’t detect anything. My PCP and the ER continued to give me steroids and pain medication, stating it must be coming from my back, which made no sense based on the pain and…
I Had Never Heard of DVT/PE: Greg’s Story
As a former professional baseball pitcher, I have always been active. I continued my workouts over the years and tried to stay healthy. But my pride as an athlete in pushing through pain goes way back to my playing days. I even pitched seven innings with a fractured leg before I knew it was injured.…