Woman
“My Leg Went Stiff, Foot Was Grey and I Was in Tremendous Pain So I Went Directly to the ER.”
My name is Heather and I nearly lost my leg after a routine surgery took a scary turn. In March 2025, I had surgery for varicose veins on my right leg, and everything went well. Two months later, I returned for the same procedure on my left leg. It was considered a standard surgery, similar…
My Daily Birth Control Was the Cause of My DVT and 4 Pulmonary Emboli: Courtney’s Story
Three years ago, I woke up on a Friday with pain in my calf that felt like a cramp that would not go away. I had big plans that weekend, so I went along my way, but the pain never went away. Sunday morning, I iced and heated my leg, thinking I just pulled a…
Dismissed for Over a Week: Chelsea’s Story
I am on the Ohio State Women’s lacrosse team and on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, I felt sharp breathing pain after a warm-up sprint. The next day I could barely practice. I felt light-headed and like I couldn’t breathe. I was hardly able to walk. By Friday, I told my trainer and didn’t practice. On…
I Was Told I Was Just An Anxious Mom — Then They Found a Clot In My Lungs: Olivia’s Story
In early 2025 I was pregnant with my third baby and began feeling breathless and tight chested at around 17 weeks pregnant. I knew it wasn’t my asthma as my reliever inhaler didn’t help. I mentioned it to a GP who told me it was the pregnancy, but I hadn’t experienced this with my previous…
Postpartum Blood Clots Don’t Only Happen to High-Risk Patients: Kristelle’s Story
In February 2014, shortly after giving birth prematurely to my twin sons at the age of 34, I developed severe back pain. For about a week, I continued to go about my daily activities despite the symptoms. The pain and swelling were especially severe during physical activity and less noticeable at rest. Within days, my…
After My Emergency C-Section, I Had a Stroke at 25: Micah’s Story
In 2022, I had an emergency C-section due to a complete placental abruption. I lost a significant amount of blood, and my son was born weighing just 3 pounds and taken to the NICU. After my C-section, I developed a severe spinal headache that was intense when sitting or standing and relieved when lying flat.…
Almost Went to a Hair Appointment Instead of the ER: Miranda’s Story
Two years ago, my life changed forever. I was a healthy 42-year-old who was very active and exercised daily. My symptoms at first were not typical of those of a blood clot. I had an ache in the back of my right knee for a few days, which turned into a cramp. I did not…
Black Women Are About 60% More Likely to Develop a Clot During Pregnancy: Ebony’s Story
Early in my pregnancy, I thought I’d pulled a muscle in my left calf. The pain was horrible for at least two weeks. I soaked it and elevated it, but the pain didn’t cease. I went to urgent care but they sent me home and told me to continue to take Tylenol, ice, and elevate.…
A Near-Fatal Pulmonary Embolism Story: Grace’s Story
How do you even begin to explain one of the most terrifying, traumatic experiences of your life? It started with a cough that just wouldn’t go away. At first, I figured it was something mild that would pass. But instead of improving, things slowly began to change. I was getting more tired, out of breath…
When a Headache Turns Serious: Jenna’s Story
On April 19, 2025, I began experiencing what I thought was a sinus headache—something I would normally treat with Tylenol Sinus. But this time, the medication didn’t work. The pressure in the front of my head wouldn’t go away, and it lasted for days. By the evening of April 22nd, I was still dealing with…
