PE
If I Hadn’t Been Persistent, My Outcome Would’ve Been Much Different: Licinda’s Story
On April 22, 2021, I was experiencing shortness of breath, but I thought it was just allergies or connected to wearing a mask during the height of COVID-19. I was walking my dog when my Apple watch started beeping to alert me of my extremely high heart rate. I couldn’t decide if I should call…
This Has Been an Emotional Roller Coaster: Jacqueline’s Story
On April 28, I went to urgent care for pain in my left ankle. I had sprained it three weeks prior, and it was swollen and not getting better. I was also experiencing shortness of breath as well as chest, rib, and shoulder blade pain on my left side. I thought maybe I slept wrong…
The Body Has an Amazing Ability for Healing: John’s Story
I had a bad crash on my road bike in late February of 2023. My initial injuries were a broken clavicle, shattered elbow, fractured pelvis, three broken ribs, and subsequent collapsed lung. I had elbow surgery that night and waited a month for clavicle surgery. What wasn’t caught, however, was a brain bleed. I was…
Having a Blood Clot Taught Me to Seize the Day: Molly’s Story
I had been having pain while breathing and shortness of breath for a few weeks. I couldn’t speak full sentences without gasping for air, and I had been ignoring this and the pain because I didn’t feel like I had time to be sick. I tried to rationalize it as a pulled muscle or humid…
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…
Keep Your Cell Phone Nearby: Bonnie’s Story
I got up on a Saturday in January 2023 and suddenly became nauseated and faint. I laid down on the floor and texted my husband since I was unable to call out to him. He helped me to the living room sofa and called 9-1-1. All of my vitals were fine, but the medics…
I’m Very Grateful for my Blood Clots: Erica’s Story
I woke up one morning with a slight twinge in my left side. I didn’t think much of it, though. I took some Advil and continued on with my day. Despite my discomfort, I went on a hike with my boyfriend. After we got back, my side was bothering me a bit more. I figured…
Not Knowing What Caused my PEs is Frightening and Frustrating: Kaprena’s Story
I’m 47 years old and grateful to be alive. This is because I experienced pulmonary emboli (PE) on three separate occasions. About six weeks after giving birth to my second son, I began to feel tired and thought I was coming down with a cold. My mother suggested that I go to the emergency room…
I Was Fortunate to Have Survived This: Joe’s Story
In June 2017, I noticed a pain in my left calf. I had been walking several days a week, so I thought I may have pulled a muscle. I spent time trying to stretch it out over the next week, but it persistently got worse. The pain I had been having in my calf then…
The Medical Profession has a Long Way to Go: Joel’s Story
I’ve always been an active person, regularly hiking 40 miles a week. When I had extreme calf pain in 2011 at 54 years old, I went to ER and was diagnosed with an unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and was prescribed warfarin for six months. They did not know what caused the DVT and did…