Patient Stories
Hospitalized for a Month in a Different Country: Jessica’s Story
I had been experiencing lower back pain for a few weeks. I visited my primary doctor and my gynecologist because I thought I was suffering from perimenopause. I started hormone replacement therapy. I pushed for a follow-up with my primary for a CT scan. I had a pending trip to Liverpool to celebrate my husband’s…
If You Feel Like Something is Wrong, Please Advocate for Yourself: Nicole’s Story
On October 27, 2024, I was diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). There was a large blood clot taking up the transverse and sigmoid portion of the venous sinus of my brain. I am still dealing with some neurological deficits. My symptoms started while I was working. Looking at the computer screen, numbers and…
You’re Never Too Young to be Diagnosed with a Blood Clot: Maudi’s Story
My story starts on a fun family trip to New York City. The first day after our flight, I woke up with the most painful muscle cramp in my left calf. I stretched and walked it off throughout the day, and the pain subsided for a few hours. I went three more days of stretching…
Never Give Up Hope: Shaun’s Story
I was diagnosed with two left pulmonary emboli on January 22, 2024. I tested positive for Covid one week prior, and I had just started estrogen-based birth control for irregular periods as well. On Sunday, January 21, I started having shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain. I still had a cough from Covid, and…
I Suddenly Felt Like My Leg Was Dying: Kailea’s Story
I was living in Arizona and going to school. I was in a very minor car accident where my knee hit the dashboard. It was bruised, and about two weeks later, I started feeling a painful cramp behind my knee, similar to a charley horse. When I told my primary care doctor, he ordered an…
I’m Grateful to be Alive and Share My Testimony: Roxanne’s Story
There was a tingling sensation in my right leg with noticeable swelling, while pain developed in my chest and right side when I took deep breaths. I work as a hairstylist, so tired feet and legs come as no surprise, but this was different. I went to urgent care, and they recommended I go to…
Travel, Mild Dehydration and Chronic Inflammation Caused My PE: Rachel’s Story
The day after I returned from a trip to Los Angeles, I suddenly felt like I was having a panic attack. I tried all my usual tricks, but it would not go away. I do have health anxiety, and since I had just traveled, I decided to get checked out. I drove myself to the…
I Will Never Take Breathing For Granted Again: Judy’s Story
It all began at the beginning of August 2021. I had been having a cough, pain between my shoulder blades, shortness of breath, and fatigue. I assumed at the time that it was a virus since my granddaughter had just had that. On Saturday, August 7, I became extremely short of breath while in the…
I’m Living My Days to the Fullest: Elizabeth’s Story
In my twenties, I developed a pain in my calf that was extremely uncomfortable. I couldn’t put my foot on the ground to walk. My dad had DVTs a few years before and told me to go to the hospital. At the hospital, I was given an anticoagulant and sent for a scan the next…
I Could Never Have Imagined a Diagnosis Like This: Carlie’s Story
In May 2024, a few days after delivering my first child via C-section, I began to feel heavy-chested and winded after doing very little, like walking and showering. I had already been discharged as a patient, but my son was in the NICU, so we were staying across the hall in the hospital. I really…
