Family history
My Family History With Clots Saved My Life: Sadie’s Story
In December 2022, I experienced a miscarriage and developed constant pain in my right calf. Because my mom and an extended family member have a history of blood clots, I called my doctor right away to get it looked at. The doctor ran a D-dimer blood test and it came back high, so an ultrasound…
I’m More Mindful: Lainey’s Story
I was being evaluated for chest pain by a pulmonologist who was treating me with opioids. The night before my diagnosis, I was participating in a group yoga class where I won a T-shirt for sweating the most. I had pools of sweat under me like it was a Bikram class, but the A/C was…
Having a Blood Clot Will Not Slow Me Down: Barbara’s Story
In August 2023, I had my second bunionectomy. The first was in 2015 with no complications. This time would prove differently. Preparing for surgery, I was advised by the surgical team to curtail my activities in the following days. After surgery, I adhered to the instructions. I elevated my leg often and limited going up…
She Had So Much Life Ahead of Her: Sydney’s Story
As told by her mother Charita My daughter Sydney’s blood clots began in 2020 after driving six hours to Mississippi and back to visit her cousins for a week. The very next morning after returning home, she told me she was out of breath and her leg was hurting badly and had a cramping feeling.…
It’s an Ongoing Battle to Stay Well and Manage This Life Condition: Callum’s Story
At 29, I considered myself to be fit and almost indestructible. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I have a myriad of athletic accomplishments. I’ve run multiple marathons, I’m at a healthy weight, and I train in the gym regularly. All of the above left me feeling completely lost when I started to experience…
I Credit My PT and Orthopedic Clinic for Their Action: Molly’s Story
I hurt my knee, and after 10 months of physical therapy, I found myself having a meniscus repair surgery. Post-surgery, I was in physical therapy again. About six weeks after surgery, I noticed more swelling, which I attributed to being at work for some very long days and not having time to walk around as…
Doctors Will Gaslight You Into Believing You’re Crazy: Kourtney’s Story
I was diagnosed with a DVT and bilateral pulmonary embolism on April 10, 2024. I underwent a biopsy for a uterine cyst in November 2023 and subsequently had my menstrual period for almost 30 days. My gynecologist prescribed me birth control to stop my period. From mid-January until April, I was taking four birth control…
I Remain Active and Positive: Sarah’s Story
On January 28, 2024, I took a hard fall and I thought I just pulled my calf. I elevated my leg, iced it, applied heat, and continued working out three to four times a week. By February, my left calf had swollen up. I thought maybe I had sprained it so I used the massage…
I’m Inspired By Others Who’ve Been Through This: Christina’s Story
I was 33 years old. I had a cramp in my leg and figured it was just that until it lasted three days. I’ve always been judged and misunderstood when it comes to my health anxiety but this time it saved my life. I knew something wasn’t right and made a doctor’s appointment. I had…
Factor V Leiden Runs In My Family: Abby’s Story
When I was a child, my brother and I were tested for factor V Leiden after my father had a clot that traveled to his lungs (PE) and was diagnosed with the factor V disorder. The test came back normal for both me and my brother. About 10 years later, I was 22, working my…