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A Torn ACL Led to a Life-Threatening Pulmonary Embolism: Dawn’s Story
Luckily They Found The Clots in Time It all started back in 2024 when I injured my knee. I came to find out I had torn my ACL with my right knee. Not knowing that clots were forming in my leg and traveling, I had my MRI appointment. Something Was Wrong My heart was racing.…
“It Felt Like an Elephant Was Standing on My Chest” — Nicolle’s Story
I am writing to share my story with you and to express my gratitude for the guidance the NBCA has provided during my journey and recovery. After a life of travel, excitement, activity, and adventure — most recently zip lining in Costa Rica, traveling the Caribbean seas, exploring the mountains of Aspen, and actively playing…
The Most Serious Medical Event of My 60 Years: Teresa’s Story
In October 2024, I began experiencing mild discomfort in my left calf. Over the next few months the pain gradually worsened, especially when stretching my leg or flexing my foot — feeling like a Charley horse was about to occur. I assumed it was dehydration or stair use. My family did as well. We did…
A Father of Four Daughters and a Factor V Leiden Diagnosis: John “JT” Lasker’s Story
I Thought I Was Just Getting Older The official date I use for my blood clot story is July 27, 2020—the day I was admitted to the hospital. Looking back, though, the story really started weeks earlier. It was the summer of 2020, just a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Around the same time,…
I’m a Professional Runner — And I Still Got A Blood Clot: Sage’s Story
It was the spring of 2021. I was running like I usually do, training pretty much every day. I run quite a bit for my profession and to train for marathons and ultra distance marathon trail races, mainly, but also road marathons. It was April and I had some slight back pain — actually that…
I Was Told I Was Just An Anxious Mom — Then They Found a Clot In My Lungs: Olivia’s Story
In early 2025 I was pregnant with my third baby and began feeling breathless and tight chested at around 17 weeks pregnant. I knew it wasn’t my asthma as my reliever inhaler didn’t help. I mentioned it to a GP who told me it was the pregnancy, but I hadn’t experienced this with my previous…
Postpartum Blood Clots Don’t Only Happen to High-Risk Patients: Kristelle’s Story
In February 2014, shortly after giving birth prematurely to my twin sons at the age of 34, I developed severe back pain. For about a week, I continued to go about my daily activities despite the symptoms. The pain and swelling were especially severe during physical activity and less noticeable at rest. Within days, my…
“I Never Expected a Blood Clot as a D1 Athlete:” Matthew’s Story
Around late February 2026, a few days after one of my collegiate rugby games, I started to feel a cramping feeling in my calf. I thought it was just cramping from the game or dehydration. I was having shortness of breath doing just basic things like walking up a flight of stairs. I went to…
I’m 28, Healthy, Active, and I Almost Died From a Pulmonary Embolism: Jordan’s Story
I’m 28, healthy, active, go to the gym 4–5 times a week, and I almost died from a pulmonary embolism. It started after a long flight back from the USA. I felt like I had the flu, sore throat, fatigue, the usual. One morning, I woke up with a sharp back pain and suddenly could…
A Near-Fatal Pulmonary Embolism Story: Grace’s Story
How do you even begin to explain one of the most terrifying, traumatic experiences of your life? It started with a cough that just wouldn’t go away. At first, I figured it was something mild that would pass. But instead of improving, things slowly began to change. I was getting more tired, out of breath…
