Filter Patient Stories by tags…

Factor V Leiden

I’m the Most Positive Person in the World: Colleen’s Story

My name is Colleen Meredith and my first experience with blood clots occurred my second year of college after having a lobectomy (a surgical procedure that removes a lobe of one of the lungs). I was on my university’s soccer team for my university, and I felt like I was always ill to the point…

Read the full story

10 Years After My Factor V Leiden Diagnosis: Deirdre’s Story

Why NBCA is Meaningful to Me – By Deirdre Callahan On Mother’s Day 1997, I developed a DVT (blood clot) in my femoral vein. I had been a mother for almost 2 weeks. When I called the hospital, they told me to make an appt. with my doctor in the morning — they didn’t think…

Read the full story

I Never Thought it Could Happen to Me: Mariah’s Story

In October 2012, I started to feel a pain in my left calf. I immediately thought I pulled a muscle, so I tried stretching and even got new tennis shoes.  The pain would not go away and after about three weeks, and shortness of breath joined in. I had to take breaks walking to class…

Read the full story

I Still Can’t Bend My Left Foot: Marjorie’s Story

When I was 23, no one knew of my genetics. My parents adopted me, and I had no medical history. For the most part, I had a healthy childhood. I had my fair share of broken bones, all in my arms and hands, from various sports. But I never had any complications, besides some lingering…

Read the full story

I Didn’t Have the Typical Symptoms: Victoria’s Story

I am a healthy 23 year old who exercises 6 times a week, eats healthy food, and has never smoked. After returning from nearly a year overseas, I decided to change my lifestyle and lost nearly 20 kg (44 pounds) in the past 5 months. During this period I became really in tune with my…

Read the full story

Teens Can Get Blood Clots: Ryu’s Story

Hello my name is Elizabeth. I have a 15 year-old son named Ryu. This is my son’s story. In October of 2012, I noticed my son’s leg was changing color. His leg looked purple. I wasn’t sure why. I took him into an Urgent Care Center, where I told the doctor that it looked like he had a blood…

Read the full story

I Thought it Was Appendicitis: Samantha’s Story

  My name is Samantha and I am 20 years old. On April 12th, 2013 I walked into the emergency room (ER) thinking I had appendicitis. A week prior my 6’2″ friend sat on my back for while I played cards on the floor. Since then, I was having symptoms like nausea and an extreme…

Read the full story

Teenagers Can Get Blood Clots: Amy’s Story

The personal story below is intended for informational purposes only. The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) holds the rights to all content that appears on its website. The use by another organization or online group of any content on NBCA’s website, including the patient stories that appear here, does not imply that NBCA is connected…

Read the full story

My Daughter Died From The Pill at 16: Theresa’s Story, As Told By Her Mother

Note: This is Theresa’s story, as told by her mother Laura Femia Buccellato: My  story……….My 16 year old daughter Theresa came to me and told me she had  sexual intercourse for the first time.  I was not happy about it, but I was happy she came to me about it. She asked me about going…

Read the full story

Don’t Stop Fighting: Tara’s Story

  Tara Robison was startled at age 20 by 21 blood clots in her lungs. She was misdiagnosed at first, but her persistence in seeking further care saved her life. In June 2010, I felt a pain in the right side of my upper chest that I thought at first was just gas pain.  I…

Read the full story