Patient Stories
Abdominal Blood Clots Following Cancer Treatment: Tiffani’s Story
When I developed my first clot, I was undergoing immunotherapy for stage 4 metastatic melanoma. My regimen was four infusions, five weeks apart, to boost the immune system and help fight the cancer. After that, I received additional infusions at a lower dosage. At first, I had no side effects other than fatigue, then I…
Be Patient with Yourself and Listen to What Your Body Needs: Maja’s Story
In February 2022, when I was 16 years old, I woke up with intense chest pain, shortness of breath, and pain in my left leg. At first, I thought I had COVID-19, as I had no idea what a blood clot was. However, after visiting my pediatrician, I was told to go to the emergency…
Trust Your Gut and Push for Answers: Elle’s Story
After an eight-mile run in November 2025, I had pain behind my knee/high calf. I thought I may have strained it, but after two days of rest, I could barely walk. I went to urgent care on the third day, knowing something was off. The nurse laughed and yelled at me and said I was…
Diagnosed with Vascular Disease and Post-Thrombotic Disorder at 28: Hayley’s Story
In October 2024, I had a sore groin for three days. Scans showed nothing, and my GP said it was likely a muscle strain from work (I’m a crane driver). I was given pain relief and told to rest. On the fourth day, I woke up unable to walk. My leg was swollen and purple.…
Your Body Remembers How to Fight, and Your Spirit Knows How to Rise: Isabelle’s Story
Nine months ago, my world stopped. What started as a simple ankle fracture turned into a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — a blood clot that changed everything. I went from running and training to being stuck in a boot, unable to walk, with my leg swollen and heavy. The pain was physical, but the fear…
Know Your Family Medical History: Jesus’ Story
I’ve been in and out of the hospital throughout the year, starting in January, when I underwent surgery to treat a pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I had been experiencing pain and swelling in my leg, but I didn’t have any symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, like chest pain or shortness of…
The Scar Under My Collarbone Reminds Me of My Journey: Laura’s Story
In December 2019, my left arm started to feel different — heavy, swollen, and uncomfortable. I had been working out and thought I pulled something. I decided to go to urgent care on New Year’s Eve and was told I likely pulled a muscle. A week later, it was the same, so I contacted my…
My Risk Factors Created a Perfect Storm: Amelia’s Story
On December 15, 2022, I sprained my ankle and was checked at urgent care for a possible break. I was told that I had no break, but that I should not put any weight on my ankle for five days. After that, I was able to put some weight on the ankle, but I started…
I Was Incredibly Lucky—But Not Everyone Is: Hannah’s Story
I had a pulmonary embolism on September 10, 2025 at 24 years old. A couple weeks before, I noticed the left side of my back and neck were hurting. I thought I was just sore from Pilates so I took ibuprofen and didn’t think much about it. On September 5, I got engaged in Las…
Blood Clots Can Happen to Anyone: Susan and Lauren’s Story
As told by Lauren, a nurse practitioner residing in Rochester, NY, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice student at Duke University School of Nursing. It was after nine in the evening when my phone rang. It was my best friend, calling a little later than usual. I had “Married at First Sight” on TV—my guilty…
