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Blood Clots Across Three Generations: Amanda’s Story
Amanda Liimatainen was caught by surprise when she was diagnosed with a DVT. Her mother had a pulmonary embolism at age 46, and she tried to make healthy choices to prevent them. My mother, who is a nurse, had a pulmonary embolism (PE) when she was 46 and I was 16. After her treatment with blood…
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…
Foot Surgery Resulted in a DVT: Bridget’s Story
Bridget Schaap thought she was having simple foot surgery, and was surprised to find that she developed a blood clot after it. When I look back, it’s hard to believe all that happened to me. As I prepared to quit my job and move from Chicago to Michigan to begin graduate school in December 2010, I…
Keep Your Legs Active on Flights: Melanie’s Story
Two years ago, I flew from Sydney to San Francisco, a 14 hour flight, in a middle seat in coach. I took a sleeping pill to try to beat jet leg. I slept for about 4 hours, awoke for a minute, and then went back to sleep for another 4 or 5 hours, so I…
Having a DVT and PE Has Changed my Life: Nicole’s Story
My experience with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) started in June 2011, three months after I got married and spent a three week honeymoon “road tripping” around New Zealand with my husband. Late one night, I felt a twinge of pain behind my left knee. I ignored it, figuring that I tweaked…
Healthy People Can Get Blood Clots: Kelly’s Story
A year ago today, I had no idea the curve balls 2009 would throw at me, and I would have never guessed they would involve a life-changing experience involving my health. You see, I’m the “healthiest person” all of my family, friends and colleagues know. I’m studying for my Master’s in nutrition, eat more than…
Skinny Jeans Were a Mechanism For Torture: Kelsey’s Story
While I was on a 5 hour plane ride from Los Angeles to Manhattan, I felt a lingering ache in the back of my left knee that was uncomfortable, but nothing that caused me to feel immediate alarm. I am only 21 and have been an athlete my entire life, so I chalked it up…
No Matter How Young You Are, You Can Get a Blood Clot: Sara’s Story
I took what I thought was a routine flight to visit my family in Florida in October 2009. My leg had been bothering me a little before the flight, due to chronic Achilles tendonitis. When I got off the plane in Florida, my leg seemed stiffer than usual. The flight was uneventful, and since it…
Persistence Is Sometimes Needed to Get a Correct Diagnosis: Theresa’s Story
I was 30 years old and 6 months pregnant with my first child when I developed an acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I had no prior knowledge of clotting disorders and had been on birth control for 10 years before I conceived. It was a Thursday night when I first felt a tingling and slight…
