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PE

I Suspected a Clot, But I Was Told It Was a Pulled Muscle: Paula’s Story

I went to the emergency room last year over what I thought was a blood clot in my leg. My D-dimer was elevated, but they still told me it was a pulled muscle and sent me home. So when I woke up in June 2024 and had the same pain in the same leg, I…

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I’m Thankful to be Alive and Healthy: Jamison’s Story

I was 19 years old and home from college. I got what we thought at the time was a stomach virus. My mom took me to the doctor, but the symptoms persisted. After about a week, she decided we needed to head to the emergency room. We when arrived, they informed us that my heart…

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The Situation Was Far Worse Than We Realized: Molly’s Story

What started as a normal evening quickly turned into the scariest experience of my life. I had been feeling achy, with some pain in my ear. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for an ear infection, and we assumed I’d start feeling better soon. But later that night, the pain in my ear spread down to…

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I Was Dismissed and Sent Home: Autumn’s Story

I went to the hospital in June 2022 with chest and back pain. The doctor told me I strained something playing softball and needed to lose weight. I was very active in high school and played four varsity sports as a starter. In December 2022, I went back to the ER, where the same doctor…

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Take Pain and Swelling Seriously: Julie’s Story

Mine just happened last week (March 2025) so this is very new for me. I woke up one day in extreme shoulder pain. I just thought I pinched a nerve sleeping until I noticed my entire arm was swollen, red, and tingling with limited mobility. My friends and family suggested going to a chiropractor, but…

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This Experience Changed the Course of My Life: Libby’s Story

When I was 18, I was diagnosed with multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli. I was an active young adult, attending university and playing volleyball for my school. I woke up one night not being able to catch my breath and felt crazy amounts of pain in my ribs, upper right quadrant of my abdomen, and back.…

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I’m Relearning How to Trust Myself: Hillary’s Story

Ah summertime, my favorite time of year. Except last year. Last year, I found myself with sudden side and chest pain, difficulty breathing, inability to fully stand or sit upright, and inability to recline back seated or lay down in any position. Within 24 hours of these symptoms, I went to the doctor. He treated…

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It Helps to Know You’re Not Alone: Jennifer’s Story

Six years ago, I woke up early to shovel the snow before work. I’m not in the best shape, but I’m never winded after shoveling. That morning, I was having trouble catching my breath, but I just thought I was coming down with something. The next day, I could hardly walk. My best friend took…

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Misdiagnosed With a Pulled Muscle: Dominique and Michelle’s Story

As told by her mother, Michelle Dominque, known to her friends and family as “Meeka,” loved the Maine outdoors and spent as much time as possible at camp on Moosehead Lake. Growing up, she enjoyed playing soccer, basketball, and softball. Meeka was a member of the Windsor Historical Society and volunteered at the Windsor Fair…

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I Broke Up With My Doctor: Ana’s Story

In 2021, I was experiencing shortness of breath, blue lips, constant fatigue, and brain fog. I could barely walk up one flight of stairs to my apartment and would collapse at the door many times. My doctor kept saying it was bronchitis and would regularly test for Covid, which always came back negative. I ultimately terminated…

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