Woman
Knowledge is Power: Sheila’s Story
On September 5, 2021 I woke up in the middle of the night with a cramping pain in my right leg, which didn’t seem like anything serious at the time. I woke up the next morning and carried out my usual routine, but the pain became unbearable so I decided to see a doctor. The…
Blood Clots Know No Age: Sowebah’s Story
Six months ago, at 31 years old, I suffered a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood clots know no age. On March 3, 2021 I woke up and had a pain in my left leg and knew something was wrong. I visited a doctor who sent me for an ultrasound, which revealed a massive DVT spanning…
Know Your Blood Clot Risk Factors: Nicole’s Story
In May of 2021, I dislocated my ankle. I was also on hormonal birth control. After the ankle injury, I was told to go home and rest, and not to bear weight on my ankle for 4-6 weeks. After about a week and a half, I had intense pain and cramping in the calf of…
I Felt Like No One Was Listening to Me: Natalie’s Story
A few days after my fourth daughter was born, I went to the emergency room for terrible leg pain. They did an ultrasound and assured me I did not have any blood clots. I went back again for a second time because I was certain I had a blood clot. Again, they sent me home…
Every Day is A Chance to Raise Awareness: Kris’ Story
After twisting my ankle a few weeks prior, I had a dull charley horse ache in my calf. Nothing worked to relieve it, but it wasn’t too bad, and it was easy to ignore most of the time. I started to notice when climbing up my stairs at home I would get a little out…
The Emotional Toll Has Been Challenging: Jenna’s Story
In September 2020, at the age of 24 and in good health, one week away from graduating with my master’s degree, I nearly lost my life. I woke up one day with a headache slightly worse than normal. Over a week, things got worse until I was in more pain than I had ever experienced…
The Day that Changed My Life Forever: Kelly’s Story
I was diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in my lungs, on July 20, 2020, at the age of 28. This clotting was provoked by estrogen-based birth control combined with immobility due to a recent wisdom teeth extraction. This was a day I will never forget and a day that changed my life…
My Right Arm Was Double the Size of My Left: Robyn’s Story
My mum saved my life. I was diagnosed with upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or a blood clot in my arm, in late June 2019. I started showing signs and symptoms at the beginning of the month. I was 26 years old, had a 9 to 5 job, and loved going to the gym.…
My Youngest Son Saved my Life: Renee’s Story
December 19, 2019, will always be a day I remember. Three weeks prior to that day, I noticed calf pain in my left leg that would come and go. I chalked it up to a running injury. I was in the best shape of my life, running 20 miles a week and attending fitness classes…
Remember You Are Brave, Resilient and Strong: Noelle’s Story
I believe that our daily hustle and bustle, which society has pressured us to believe is normal, convinces us to think that obligations are more important than the health and wellness of our own bodies. Ironically, being a doctorate student unintentionally embodies that notion as curriculum piles up to what eventually feels like an unfathomable…