PE
If Your Symptoms Persist, Get Another Opinion: Lauren’s Story
In September 2007, I had just started my freshman year of college. I had gotten a job at the bookstore, and on my first day, I passed out while folding T-shirts. I had never passed out before so I panicked, called my mom, and went to a local urgent care clinic. After running a few…
I’m On More Medications Than My Grandmother: Brianna’s Story
In April 2021, my arm started hurting. I went to a walk-in clinic and they told me I had heartburn. I was prescribed a heartburn relief drink and went home. The next day, my arm was still killing me, but then the pain moved into my chest. That scared me enough to go to the…
Never Give Up: Beril’s Story
At the beginning of 2022, when I was 18, I started feeling pain in my chest. Since I was a professional triathlete preparing for the next season’s races, this pain was negatively affecting my training. I ignored the pain and difficulty breathing and pushed myself harder. However, one night I woke up with extreme pain…
I’ve Reset My Priorities: Jessica’s Story
In January 2020, seven days after getting married, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 29. After six brutal months of chemotherapy, my cancer was in remission, and I was ready to return to “normal” life. Unfortunately, my health continued to worsen. In December 2021, I had pain, swelling, and bulging veins in my right…
It Was Impossible to Know That a Deadly Clot was Developing: Jeff and Abigail’s Story
My husband Jeff passed away suddenly from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that developed into a pulmonary embolism (PE) 19 days following ankle surgery to repair a fracture. There were no warning signs. He was an active and healthy 52-year-old with no history of any clotting disorders. His leg was wrapped from the foot to…
An Article About Serena Williams May Have Saved My Life: Nisheera’s Story
I had my youngest son on December 26, 2019 via C-section. Recovery at home wasn’t too bad outside of the normal pain from having a baby. But at about a month postpartum, I began to have chest pain and found it hard to do simple tasks. I ignored the pain and convinced myself it was…
Don’t Ignore Calf Pain or Shortness of Breath: Scott’s Story
My dad had deep vein thrombosis (DVT) many years ago and was diagnosed with factor V Leiden. Because of this, I was tested and found to have inherited this mutation as well. Thanks, Dad. In 2019, my calf was swollen and painful. The doctor sent me to get an ultrasound. It was a DVT. After…
Ignoring Unusual Symptoms Could Have Serious Ramifications: Dan’s Story
In the summer of 2019, I was on vacation with my family at Hilton Head Island. On the second night of the trip, I felt an excruciating pain in my chest while lying in bed. Although it was troubling, I decided not to wake my wife or take other action, and the pain passed after…
The Hospital Was Baffled By My Symptoms: Tyler’s Story
In 2018, when I was 21 years old and just over three months postpartum, I was diagnosed with multiple pulmonary emboli (PE). I started having trouble breathing in the early evening which I assumed was just my asthma acting up. This continued all through the night and into the morning. I was using my asthma…
Recovery Has Been a Long Road: Jessica’s Story
I had COVID for the first time in November of 2020. My symptoms were typical: fatigue, loss of appetite, and shortness of breath. Once I recovered, I had ongoing yet mild shortness of breath, so when it started happening more frequently, I wrote it off as just a symptom of long COVID. Looking back, I…
