Woman
The Doctor Wanted to Send Me Home: Catalina’s Story
My heart was beating unusually and I felt tired; it was a long day. After family holidays and an accident on the road, we were trapped for several hours in the car. When I arrived at my destination, my heart still racing. I felt it in my neck. My heart rate was between 160-180. As…
Being Diagnosed with a PE was a Traumatic Experience: Lauren’s Story
In early April 2023, I underwent a complete hysterectomy. My recovery was complicated by uncontrolled pain and urinary retention, which required a Foley catheter for a week. I then started experiencing a UTI, which required hospitalization. I was finally improving by the end of April, but on May 5, 2023, I suddenly started to experience…
Educate Yourself on the Signs and Symptoms of Blood Clots: Peggy’s Story
As told by her daughter Pellayia My mother passed away June 22, 1998 of a pulmonary embolism. It was sudden. I left for university that morning and got a call in between classes that I needed to come home right away. I told my cousin that I had a quiz and couldn’t. He kept insisting.…
I Knew Nothing About Blood Clots: Shawna’s Story
During Covid, I was teaching from home and not as active as I once was. I began feeling short of breath at the start of the week, but attributed it to the bad air quality from fires in the area. On Thursday evening, I began feeling a pain in the right side of my back…
This Was a Wakeup Call: Emily’s Story
In October 2020 I began to experience difficulties breathing, sharp stabbing pains, and dizziness that continued for for five days. During this time, I was avid long distance runner and weight lifter. My life revolved around fitness. I assumed since I was in such good physical condition that something like this would ever happen to…
I Begged Them to Look at my Lungs for Clots: Renee’s Story
I had two episodes where I was walking through my house and felt something in my chest. I felt clammy like I was about to pass out. After the second episode in March 2020, I went to the doctor I told her I thought I had blood clots. I felt something dragging through my chest…
I’ll Never Ignore My Body Again: Chrissy’s Story
At 35 weeks pregnant, I had a feeling that something was severely wrong. While cooking Father’s Day breakfast for my husband, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I called my OB and was told to come into triage for monitoring. I was admitted, but my oxygen levels were perfect, and my EKG was pristine. I…
No One Should Have to Bury Their Child: Brianne’s Story
As told by her mother Nancy My world changed in 2014 when my 22-year-old daughter Brianne died in my arms. I was in so much shock that she passed away. She had leg pain, then trouble breathing, and I just couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I didn’t know why until the medical examiner conducted…
My Doctor Laughed At Me: Charmaine’s Story
I was involved in a motorbike accident on August 9, 2023, and had an injury to my left leg. I suffered severe pain but had to go to work. After struggling to walk, I went back to my doctor. He recommended bed rest for about five days. I asked him to admit me to the…
Never Lose Hope in the Face of Adversity: Jennifer’s Story
In 2009, I experienced the most challenging and life-changing event. After giving birth to my beautiful baby girl by C-section, I was overjoyed, but soon faced a series of unexpected and frightening health complications. Two days after giving birth, I began experiencing severe abdominal pain and could barely move. This pain went on for weeks,…
