PE
My Survival Was a Miracle: Jessica’s Story
Jessica Phillips survived a life-threatening PE right after giving birth to her fourth child. Her DVT symptoms were overlooked and a massive PE ensued, so her OB doctor introduced many changes in her practice to prevent DVT and PE after Jessica’s near death. On October 29 2010, I gave birth by C-section to my fourth…
Spent the Night Googling My Symptoms: Lauren’s Story
By: Lauren Hamentz My name is Lauren Hametz and I graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in May 2012 with a Masters degree in Secondary Education, although I am originally from Edinboro, PA. Recently, I stumbled upon Stop The Clot on Facebook, and immediately felt a strong connection to National Blood Clot Alliance. Why? In…
I Ran More Than 9,400 Miles In My Dad’s Memory: Jay’s Story
Jay Danek was bereft after his father died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism, so he wanted to share how important his father was to him. A few months after his father’s death, he decided to start a running and lost over a hundred pounds. Jay has also used his running to raise money for National…
Her Death Taught Us Lessons: Deborah’s Story As Told By Her Twin Sister, Mary
Mary Bare wrote this story about the death of her twin sister Deborah from a pulmonary embolism. She is so motivated to spread awareness of signs and symptoms of DVT and PE and is using social media to do so via a Facebook page called Forever Deborah. My name is Mary Bare. My story is personal,…
I Ignored My Symptoms: Geraldine’s Story
A few years ago, I felt unusually weak, faint, and short of breath while walking with my husband and three children. I needed to take breaks to rest and catch my breath. Given that I work full time as a Registered Nurse and am 37 years old, I thought I was just tired from a long and…
I Didn’t Think Blood Clots Could Happen to Me: Jim’s Story
Jim Smith had DVTs in each leg and a PE after a prostatectomy, and he is now dealing with complications. My story begins in 2006 when I had abdominal surgery for a prostatectomy. I was hit with a massive pulmonary embolism (PE) ten days after I was discharged from the hospital. Luckily for me, it…
My Son Died at 14: Kyle’s Story, as Told by His Mother
I am the mother of Kyle Baca, who at age 14 was the victim of a “massive bilateral pulmonary embolism” (PE) on the morning of October 30, 2010. I knew Kyle was sick, but I thought it was an upper respiratory infection at the time. He played football that season for his high school freshman team,…
A Fatal PE After Knee Surgery: Eric’s Story, as Told by Sophie
My late boyfriend, Eric Vignando, passed away at 49 years old on November 29, 2010. Eric had knee problems after ski accidents, and he finally went in for a partial knee replacement after having pain for 20 years. His surgery was on Nov 12, 2010. His surgery went well, his doctor was pleased, and Eric…
Birth Control Pills Can Pose a Risk for Blood Clots: Sharon’s Story
Four years ago, I found out that taking birth control pills could almost take my life! Shortly after returning from my honeymoon in December 2007, I felt severe abdominal pain. My former primary doctor changed the brand of my birth control pills, prescribed ibuprofen for pain, and eventually sent me for a pelvic ultrasound that…
Our 8-Year-Old Died of a Blood Clot: Garrett’s Story, as Told by his Mother
My son Garrett Elder had a stomach virus in April 2008, and a strep throat two days later that was treated with a full course of antibiotics. He developed pneumonia on day 3 and complained of leg pain during the night. His breathing became heavy and his leg became swollen and hard. We took him to…
