Patient Stories
Losing My Mom to a Blood Clot Changed My Life Forever: Najma and Iram’s Story
As told by her daughter, Iram. On January 25, 2001, my world changed forever. That morning, my mom wasn’t feeling well. She told us she was having trouble breathing. We wanted to call 9-1-1, but she preferred to wait for my dad to get home and take her to the hospital. By the time they…
My Body Fought to Live, and I’m Living Every Moment: Shytasia’s Story
On June 21, 2020, I experienced a pulmonary embolism. I was at work when all of a sudden my arms went numb and my vision became blurry. I thought was talking to a customer, but there were no words coming out. An hour later, I couldn’t taste or hear and could barely see anything. I…
This Experience Cracked my Heart Open: Diane’s Story
I’m a single, 62-year-old woman and in June 2024, I was diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. This came out of nowhere. I had been feeling down and unwell for a couple of days. I thought it was mostly dehydration. I was able to work from home and was typing on my laptop when noticed…
The Hardest Parts are the Unknowns and ‘What-Ifs’
I’m extremely active, working out 5-6 days a week with lifting and spin classes. Until recently, I have never had any health issues. But for about a year, I was experiencing pelvic pain off and extreme fatigue. I brushed off these symptoms as a result of my age and IUD. In March 2025, I had…
She Knew What Was Happening and Said Her Goodbyes: Kassandra and Danny’s Story
As told by her husband Danny. Just a few weeks after my wife and I got married, after an eight-year relationship and many years of courtship, she died suddenly due to a blood clot. She was a few weeks post routine knee surgery, a surgery that I coincidentally had while we had dated. At 4…
This Experience Has Instilled a Deep Sense of Gratitude: Karla’s Story
On October 29, 2024, I began experiencing persistent pain in my right calf. The discomfort was significant enough that, five days later, I drove myself to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, no blood work was conducted, and the ultrasound performed on my leg was brief and inconclusive. I was diagnosed with a muscle cramp and advised…
He Was Known for His Role in ‘House Party,’ But He Will Forever Be My Daddy: Eugene and Nina’s Story
As told by Eugene’s daughter, Nina. After a surgery, my father Eugene suffered over time from deep vein thrombosis, which traveled to the lungs. His family was unaware as was he, and he sadly passed away on February 12, 2025 at his home in Maryland from a pulmonary embolism. Eugene was a father, husband, son,…
I Was Incredibly Fortunate to Have Made it to the Hospital in Time: Rand’s Story
In August 2024, I experienced growing weakness in my legs after a hamstring injury. I had a pain in my lower back and almost complete numbness in my hamstrings. Gradually these symptoms worsened to the point where I needed help to stand on my own. Around the beginning of March 2025, I made an appointment…
Blood Clots are Invisible, But We Are Not: Maarib’s Story
I had my first pulmonary embolism in 2021 and my second PE along with deep vein thrombosis in 2025. The first time around, I experienced sudden chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood. The second time, I had woken up to severe calf pain. Both times, my symptoms were constantly invalidated by doctors…
I’m So Happy to be Alive: William’s Story
I got home from work and found it very painful to walk up the stairs. It felt like I pulled my groin. The next day I was supposed to see my mom for her birthday, but I could not get out of bed because I couldn’t move my legs. My mom told me to call…