Gaslighting
Dismissed Twice While Pregnant — Then Diagnosed With a PE, AFib, and a Leaking Heart Valve
Kaytie Richmond | Stayton, Oregon The Warning Signs I was about 37 weeks pregnant when I started to experience leg swelling and pain. It was localized near my ankle, which I have injured in the past. I thought maybe the extra weight from pregnancy had flared it up. I told my nurse, and without looking…
I Died for 27 Minutes: Heather’s Story
Two years ago this Saturday, I died for 27 minutes from a pulmonary embolism caused by an estrogen-based hormone patch. I had ablation surgery 12 years ago — a procedure that destroys the lining of the uterus, typically done to treat heavy menstrual bleeding — which put me into perimenopause (and then menopause) very quickly;…
“I Instinctively Knew Something Was Seriously Off. It Took Begging to Get the Diagnosis”: Jennifer’s Story
Turning My Mess Into a Message In 2004 I spent three and a half months — 112 days — in the hospital after being diagnosed with Autoimmune Protein S Deficiency, a rare, acquired form of Protein S deficiency in which the body’s immune system interferes with Protein S. It Started With Abdominal Pain Prior to…
“My God. I Could Have Died:” Cheryl’s Story
Listen to Your Body I’m 68 now. I’ve had asthma most of my life. It’s under control most of the time. February 2025 The first of February 2025, my breathing was not good. I thought it was my asthma. My nebulizer was doing nothing. I went to urgent care. They did a chest x-ray and…
My Right Lung Was 100% Clotted — and My Doctor Told Me It Was Just COVID Recovery: Melissa’s Story
Your Body Speaks. Listen. In late October 2020, I was 8 weeks past a bout of COVID — but short of breath with a hard cough that did not respond to medication. Two Visits. No Answers. Visit 1 to urgent care in early November showed high BP and a hard cough — but nothing on…
Birth Control Caused My Blood Clot — and I Had to Fight to Find Out: Lilian’s Story
Listen to Your Body and Be Your Own Advocate My symptoms began Sunday, April 5, 2026. I got up after sitting on our couch for a while with my legs folded and suddenly had an extremely sharp pain in my right leg that felt like a terrible charley horse. I began holding my significant other’s…
Given a Baby Aspirin Instead of Blood Thinners — Keri’s Story
But I’m Here. I Survived. In April 2024, I underwent ACL reconstruction surgery after rupturing my ACL. About a week after surgery, I started feeling pain in my back. I brushed it off, assuming it was from sleeping differently since I had to keep my leg straight and had been sleeping on my back. The…
39, No Risk Factors, and Four Pulmonary Embolisms: Kimberly’s Story
Every Breath Is a Gift It started with a shortness of breath I couldn’t explain. At 39, you expect to be tired — but you don’t expect your lungs to fail you. There was no injury, no long flight, and no history of blood clots. It was “unprovoked” — the medical term for a nightmare…
The Most Serious Medical Event of My 60 Years: Teresa’s Story
In October 2024, I began experiencing mild discomfort in my left calf. Over the next few months the pain gradually worsened, especially when stretching my leg or flexing my foot — feeling like a Charley horse was about to occur. I assumed it was dehydration or stair use. My family did as well. We did…
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…
