PE
Former World Champion Swimmer Katie Hoff’s Blood Clot Story
Katie Hoff is a three-time Olympic medalist and Former World Champion Swimmer who has held several American and world records throughout her career. She was forced to retire from the sport in 2015 due to the development of blood clots in her lung, known as pulmonary embolisms, or PEs. Katie is best known for her…
I Am My Own Best Healthcare Advocate: Michael’s Story
I am writing to share my story with the hope that it can help other people who may find themselves in a similar situation. I was misdiagnosed three times in November 2012, when I sought help for what I would describe as classic signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clots in…
One More Test: Casey’s Story
It started as an ordinary Monday morning in June 2015. I arrived at work and swiped my badge to access the elevator corridor when I noticed a sign taped to the steel doors that read, “OUT OF SERVICE.” I knew the sign meant that I would be huffing up the stairs, even though I was…
Grateful to Be Alive: Melanie’s Story
I am 53 years old, a busy business owner, wife, and mother. Being diagnosed with PE has rocked my world. I ran a marathon in May 2016. A month later, during my annual exam, my gynecologist suggested I take birth control to “get through menopause without having to deal with the nuisances.” A voice inside…
Don’t Lose Hope After a Blood Clot: Steven’s Story
In the winter of 2012, I started to feel strange tightness in my right calf and mild discomfort behind my knee. Instead of seeing my doctor, I spent a lot of time researching potential causes, including DVTs. The situation changed in April when my right ankle and calf swelled as if I had sprained it.…
A Blood Clot in the Brain Changed My Life: Jen’s Story
I am a 33-year-old relatively healthy, active woman. I don’t smoke or drink. On August 19, 2016, I woke up with a headache that wouldn’t subside even with pain medication and acupuncture. The next morning, the pain was worse. I vomited and had a drooping eyelid, so I went to urgent care. Thankfully, the doctor…
Youth Doesn’t Equal Invincibility: Helen’s Story
The day my life almost ended was a picturesque, snow-dappled Saturday in December. I was a 22-year-old on an adventure, visiting Germany for the first time and staying with some old friends. I couldn’t wait to see what an authentic German “Weihnachten” had to offer. Little did I know, my life was about to be…
I’m a 22-Year-Old Nursing Student, and I Experienced a Blood Clot: Katie’s Story
It was just another day of college as I got up to go to my clinical rotation for nursing school. When I got home, I noticed a sharp pain under my left breast that, as the night went on, radiated to my back and up my left shoulder blade. Just to be safe, I went…
The Day that Changed My Life: Philip’s Story
My name is Philip Begley, I am 56 years old, and I live in England. My story began on November 22, 1999. My truck was in for MOT annual service, so my boss said to start work late the next day. The next day came, Tuesday, and I was sitting down, putting my boots on…
Forever Loved and Never Forgotten: Rickey’s Story as told by his Mother, Dawn Ortiz Colomy
My son, Richard Scott Colomy Jr. 3rd, who we call Rickey, was born with vascular malformation and after searching for many medical opinions to help him, we settled with the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP), who provided us with immediate information about his condition. Along with a team of doctors, his plastic surgery specialist …
