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Patient Stories

I’ve Learned to Live Life With Less Stress and More Peace: Dustin’s Story

In January 2022, at 27 years old, I checked in to the hospital and was treated for a superficial clot in my right leg, along with a minor case of cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection. Over the next few months, the pains in my leg continued to the point where I could no longer walk.…

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We’ve Become Advocates for Awareness: Nick’s Story

As told by his mother, Amy My son Nickolas first developed superficial blood clots after fracturing his leg in 2019. He took baby aspirin and had no issues after his leg was healed until the fall of 2020 when he developed the blood clots again. He had no trauma to cause them. He went to…

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Nothing Can Prepare You for the Mental Toll: Amanda’s Story

I wrapped my leg around a chair while walking by it on January 16, 2025 and fell. My right leg immediately bruised and swelled, so I went to the emergency room. X-rays showed a contusion to the bone. My leg was bandaged and I was sent on my way. As time wore on, my leg…

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I’m Hyper-Vigilant Regarding My Body: Alison’s Story

On January 13, 2025, I was diagnosed with an unprovoked pulmonary embolism lodged in the main artery on the right side of my lung, blocking and restricting blood flow. I also have right-sided heart strain due to the clot. Just before Christmas, my right leg behind my knee became swollen and extremely painful. I have…

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I’m More Present and More Grateful: Brandon’s Story

Watch a video of Brandon’s story: I had my first blood clot when I was 29. It started as a subtle cramp in my left calf—nothing alarming at first—but it slowly got worse, even with icing and massaging. When I woke up one morning and couldn’t put any weight on it, I knew something was…

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Awareness Could Have Saved My Sister’s Life: Brenda and Vanessa’s Story

As told by her sister, Vanessa Brenda passed away on January 10, 2025, at 36. After almost three months of waiting, our family finally learned the cause of her death: pulmonary embolism due to lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. I’d heard of this condition before but never thought someone her age could be affected. The…

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Symptoms Were Misdiagnosed as Asthma: Paul and Denise’s Story

As told by Paul’s mother, Denise. We wish we had known the symptoms of blood clots, and we wish we had known they can affect anyone, at any age, at any time. Sadly, Paul, Jr. was not one of the lucky ones. He did not survive his blood clot. He passed away on September 19,…

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The Scariest News of My Life: Cherryl’s Story

In early September 2024, I noticed major swelling in my left leg/ankle but did what any 34-year-old would do — I chalked it up to something I ate that was bad for me. I had massages lined up toward the end of September to make me feel better from other health issues and stress at…

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Now, I Want to Heal: Taylor’s Story

I gave birth to my daughter on March 15, 2022 via C-section. By April 9, I had developed debilitating pain in my right lower extremity, as well as a low-grade fever. I called my doctor, and she stated my pain was sciatica and the fever was not attributed to my recent surgery. My leg didn’t…

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He Spread Kindness Everywhere He Went: Finley and Veronica’s Story

As told by Finley’s mother, Veronica Finley had been diagnosed with factor V Leiden homozygous in May 2023. I asked for him to be tested due to family history. No one explained his diagnosis to us, nor was it given any credence when brought up at doctor appointments. In June of 2024, in the height…

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