Surgery
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…
You Can’t Take Breathing For Granted: Leah’s Story
My orthopedic surgeon dubbed me his “airplane” girl, because of an ironic twist of fate (and twist of my knee!). Believe it or not, I tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in my right knee as I was getting onto an airplane in October 2006. One would think I might be injured throwing a football…
I Had Two DVTs: Lotus’s Story
I noticed that I had severe cramping in my right calf in 2003, and ended up in the hospital for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The birth control pills I was taking then were the likely culprit, and I know now at age 51 to avoid hormone based birth control or replacement therapy in the…
Running Nearly Cost Me My Life: Kristine’s Story
Running is my greatest passion, but at age 27 it nearly cost me my life. Last March, I ran a half-marathon and went straight into training for a full marathon. I noticed a pain in my hip after I completed the half-marathon, but like most runners, I ran through the pain. As it turned out,…
The Doctor Was Not Convinced That I Had a DVT: Pamela Lynn’s Story
My experience with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) began more than 30 years ago in November 1979 when I was 30, and pregnant with my second child. I flew with my husband and 3-year-old daughter from our home in Texas to visit my husband’s family in California for the Christmas holidays the next month. While there,…
DVTs Can Occur After Surgery: Tim’s Story
My name is Tim Allen and I am 59 years old. I “busted” my foot playing soccer in college and needed surgery to repair it about 35 years ago when I was in the Air Force. However, it got worse recently, and I dislocated my toes whenever I ran. Unfortunately, I developed DVTs in my…
After My Sister’s Death, Our Fears Now Shift to Our Children: Kimberly Story
Kimberly Hennings of Colorado shares her and her sister’s story of pulmonary embolism. Kim developed multiple PE’s post-surgery in November 2007. She later found out she carries prothrombin G20210A genetic thrombophilia, as do all of her family members except her mother. Tragically, her sister Angela died of a PE at age 40 in July 2008. …
