PE
My Daughter is Afraid I Won’t Come Home From My Appointments: Kate’s Story
In March 2022, while going about my everyday activities, I suddenly experienced extreme breathlessness. It felt like someone had hit me, and my heart was beating out of my chest. I’m a single parent, and my then –7-year-old found me on the bed. There was no ambulance available to get to me; I was told…
I’m in Constant Fear for My Safety Due to the Blood Thinners: Julia’s Story
In December of 2022, I had surgery on my femur. Five days later, I felt an excruciating pain in my calf and knew something was wrong. I went to the ER and was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that occluded almost my whole leg. I was prescribed blood thinners and I’ve been taking them…
The Pain in my Lungs and Back Returned: Isabelle’s Story
My cousin, who was 22, died of a pulmonary embolism when I was 10 years old. At autopsy, she was found to have protein C resistance, explained by the factor V Leiden mutation. As this mutation is genetic, the whole family was tested. I was found to be a carrier of this mutation, and I…
I Had Run 16 Miles the Day My Clot Was Discovered: David’s Story
I had a pulmonary embolism in the fall of 2016. I was just 24 years old and was an avid runner/marathoner. I had completed about 10 marathons, including the iconic Boston Marathon. At the time, I didn’t really know what a blood clot was, and I completely missed the signs of a blood clot…
My Husband Passed Away at 47: Katie’s Story
My name is Katie, and I am Jordan’s widow. He and I were married for 12 years. Jordan died unexpectedly of a massive pulmonary embolism (PE) on July 8, 2020. He survived his first unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to PE in October 2019. He ignored symptoms of right thigh pain, swelling, redness, and warmth.…
I Cut Back on My Meds to Provide For My Baby: Alan’s Story
It started in 2013 with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in my right leg and a pulmonary embolism (PE). After walking around on a sore and swollen leg for a while, I experienced severe shortness of breath after climbing two flights of stairs. My brother took me to the hospital, where I was treated and placed…
I’m Lucky to be Alive: Amanda’s Story
My first issue with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) began in November of 2022. My family and I went on a five-hour road trip to Disneyland. A week after returning home, I began to develop a charley horse cramp in my right calf. I assumed I had pulled a muscle somehow. I tried massage and…
I Had Clots in Both Legs While Running Endurance Races: Ernie’s Story
In the summer of 2022, I started having shortness of breath but thought nothing of it. I had just run an 18-mile trail race the Saturday before, and it can take a few days for your body to feel normal again. A little coughing and sore throat from running in the dirt for four hours…
I Thought I Had COVID: Talicia’s Story
In January 2021, I woke up in the middle of a Sunday night feeling like I needed to put ice water on my body. As I carried the glass of ice water back to bed, I suddenly found myself struggling to make it to the couch. What seemed like minutes later, I woke up with…
I Missed Two Doses of My Blood Thinner: Diana’s Story
In August 2020, I had severe left calf cramping, but I didn’t think much of it. The next morning, I awoke to a sensation going up my leg. I felt an explosion in my chest and could not catch my breath. I figured it was anxiety until the next day, when I couldn’t handle the…