Patient Stories
My Daily Birth Control Was the Cause of My DVT and 4 Pulmonary Emboli: Courtney’s Story
Three years ago, I woke up on a Friday with pain in my calf that felt like a cramp that would not go away. I had big plans that weekend, so I went along my way, but the pain never went away. Sunday morning, I iced and heated my leg, thinking I just pulled a…
Dismissed for Over a Week: Chelsea’s Story
I am on the Ohio State Women’s lacrosse team and on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, I felt sharp breathing pain after a warm-up sprint. The next day I could barely practice. I felt light-headed and like I couldn’t breathe. I was hardly able to walk. By Friday, I told my trainer and didn’t practice. On…
I Felt the Moment Blood Flow Returned to My Lungs: Melissa’s Story
I am sharing my story to raise awareness about how quickly a blood clot can develop, even after what seems like a routine injury. My pulmonary embolism on February 28, 2024, was provoked by an ankle fracture, and the warning signs were far more subtle than I ever expected. During my recovery, I assumed the…
The Calf Pain I Ignored for Months Was Actually a Massive Blood Clot: Melisa’s Story
I have always been a very avid runner and I was training for my 7th marathon when I developed pain and swelling in my left leg in August of 2024. I thought I had strained my calf and did physical therapy but I didn’t make any progress. I attempted the marathon but ultimately dropped out…
The Nurse Said I Was Wasting Their Time: Elizabeth’s Story
In the summer of 2020 I started to have leg pain. It went on for a little while but I just assumed I hurt it somehow. It was peak COVID and I wasn’t about to go to a doctor’s office unless I had to. But, after a week or two I started to notice some…
I Was Skeptical About Getting Scanned — The Results Changed Everything: Amanda’s Story
In the summer of 2020 I started to have leg pain. It went on for a little while but I just assumed I hurt it somehow. It was peak COVID and I wasn’t about to go to a doctor’s office. After a week or two I started to notice some swelling. I was complaining to…
I Was Told I Was Just An Anxious Mom — Then They Found a Clot In My Lungs: Olivia’s Story
In early 2025 I was pregnant with my third baby and began feeling breathless and tight chested at around 17 weeks pregnant. I knew it wasn’t my asthma as my reliever inhaler didn’t help. I mentioned it to a GP who told me it was the pregnancy, but I hadn’t experienced this with my previous…
Postpartum Blood Clots Don’t Only Happen to High-Risk Patients: Kristelle’s Story
In February 2014, shortly after giving birth prematurely to my twin sons at the age of 34, I developed severe back pain. For about a week, I continued to go about my daily activities despite the symptoms. The pain and swelling were especially severe during physical activity and less noticeable at rest. Within days, my…
After My Emergency C-Section, I Had a Stroke at 25: Micah’s Story
In 2022, I had an emergency C-section due to a complete placental abruption. I lost a significant amount of blood, and my son was born weighing just 3 pounds and taken to the NICU. After my C-section, I developed a severe spinal headache that was intense when sitting or standing and relieved when lying flat.…
My Mother Nearly Lost Her Life to a Blood Clot: Victoria’s Story
My name is Victoria King, and I’m writing on behalf of my mother, who nearly lost her life to a blood clot. A few years after surgery, my mother began experiencing what seemed like minor symptoms: tingling in her foot and pain when she walked. Like many people, she didn’t immediately think it was serious.…
