Mental health
This Took a Huge Toll on My Emotional Health: Holly’s Story
In May of this year, I began to feel bloated and my stomach area became distended. It was very uncomfortable. Shortly after, I started feeling upper left quadrant pain. I continued on for a day or two feeling increasingly worse. Finally, I went to the ER. They did blood work and an ultrasound of my…
Make Your Health a Priority: Matt’s Story
I had my first deep vein thrombosis when I was 18. I was training for the military and was very active, doing lots of weightlifting and running. One day, I had extreme pain and swelling in my groin and right leg. Even with those symptoms, I was stubborn and waited four days before getting it…
Don’t Give Up, Keep Going: Alejandra’s Story
In March 2019, I woke up with my left leg all red and swollen. Thanks to God and the speed with which I received medical attention, the doctors saved my life and also my leg. I was in hospital for four days and I had two surgeries. They put a filter in my vena cava…
Take Advantage of the Support Available: Tammillia’s Story
In 2021, I had a routine laparoscopy procedure and came out of the general anesthetic coughing up blood. I was pale, sweaty, low on oxygen, and experiencing a fast heart rate and chest pains. After being told by the surgeon, “We were rough with the tube we put down your throat,” I was discharged like…
Each Moment, I Feel Like I Just Ran a Marathon: Brett’s Story
I am lucky to be alive. On a recent Wednesday morning, I went to the emergency room with chest pains and shortness of breath. After many tests and a CT scan, they said I had a blood clot in my lungs, another pulmonary embolism. This was my third time. The doctor said that one out…
After a Blood Clot, Life Has Updated Rules: Jeff’s Story
About nine months ago, I was diagnosed with a DVT from my upper thigh down to my calf. The diagnosis was lupus anticoagulant, an auto immune disorder that requires me to be on blood thinners for life. I am an avid cyclist, doing up to 100 miles per week. At first my hematologist told me…
I Didn’t Have Any Risk Factors: Barbara’s Story
In July 2017, I was walking from the parking garage to my office, and by the time I got to my desk, I was completely out of breath. This continued for three days. By the third day, I was scared and I actually thought maybe I had a heart attack. I made an appointment with…
I Suddenly Lost All Vision: Haley’s Story
I was 23 years old and 40 weeks into a high-risk pregnancy. I was considered high risk because of a cyst cutting the circulation off to my right ovary, and I also had endometriosis. I had a C-section on August 17, 2020. After the surgery, I returned to my hospital room and cuddled up with…
I Advocate For Myself More: Jessi’s Story
In October 2021, I had a fall that caused my left knee to dislocate. It was determined that I had fractured my patella, and torn the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) in my knee. Since I had a history of dislocations, I opted for an MPFL reconstruction to reduce the chance of dislocation in the future.…
My Blood Clots Were a Result of an Ankle Injury: Martin’s Story
In December 2012, I was at work when a mild discomfort in my rib cage quickly become excruciating. Upon arriving at the ER, I was given various tests, including an EKG and ultrasound, which revealed blood clots in both of my legs, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Further testing confirmed that I had blood clots…
