Woman
My Clot Started 10 Years Before It Was Found: Jana’s Story
In December 2022, I had the worst pain in my life in my left side of my buttocks after working out. Being a physical therapist and a retired high-level figure skater, I assumed I had strained a muscle until I was unable to walk or bear weight on my left leg. After three ER visits…
Each Day is Harder, But I’m Still Here: Caroline’s Story
It was February 24 2024, and I had overslept. My husband had joked the night before, “Let’s not waste tomorrow staying in bed. I’ve got the day off, let’s make the most of it!” But when I finally glanced at the clock, it was already 10:22. Oh no, I thought, he’s going to call me…
This is the Scariest Thing I’ve Ever Been Through: Rakeisha’s Story
My gynecologist put me on a contraceptive ring and I wasn’t even on it a full 30 days before it almost killed me. On May 17, 2024, I woke up, couldn’t breathe, and could barely take two steps without almost passing out! I went to the ER around 9 a.m., I explained my symptoms, and…
This Diagnosis Was Shocking: Lacey’s Story
At the end of June, I began experiencing symptoms that I initially attributed to a chest cold. Since I could still carry out my regular activities, like exercising and working, I didn’t pay much attention. However, after about a week, my condition worsened, leading to severe pain when I inhaled and difficulty breathing. The persistent…
My Experiences with DVTs and PEs have Changed my Life: Hannah’s Story
On September 8, 2021, when I was 24, I had an emergency appendectomy. Four days later, I went into the ER for extreme calf pain and tightness in my chest, as it felt like I couldn’t get a full breath. I was diagnosed with DVTs in my left leg and bilateral lower lobe pulmonary emboli.…
Life Goes On After Blood Clots: Krissy’s Story
The first pulmonary embolism I had was in 2015, six weeks after having foot surgery. I was terrified as I couldn’t breathe. I was put on a blood thinner and hospitalized for three days. My second pulmonary embolism was at the end of 2022. I had chest pain, so I went to the ER. They…
The ER Doctor Did Not Want To Do a CT Scan: Meghan’s Story
About two weeks after a surgical procedure, I began having pain on my left side near my rib cage and towards my back. I assumed I had pulled a muscle due to overcompensating with my upper body post-surgery. The pain became relentless and I began having shortness of breath that I assumed was musculoskeletal pain…
My APS Diagnosis Got Lost: Dione’s Story
In 1994, I had my son prematurely at 24 weeks. They did a bunch of testing and found out that I had antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). I had another preterm baby at 25 weeks three years later. I was followed by a high-risk OB/GYN at the time but no other preventative measures were done while pregnant.…
Two Major Surgeries When I Had Clots: Mary’s Story
In January 2024, I started having difficulty walking up a long hill to get to my car after work. It got to the point where it scared me how hard I was breathing by the time I got to the top. In February, I had a pre-surgical exam for a shoulder replacement scheduled in March.…
I Credit My PT and Orthopedic Clinic for Their Action: Molly’s Story
I hurt my knee, and after 10 months of physical therapy, I found myself having a meniscus repair surgery. Post-surgery, I was in physical therapy again. About six weeks after surgery, I noticed more swelling, which I attributed to being at work for some very long days and not having time to walk around as…
