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I’ve Learned How to Advocate For Myself: Melisa’s Story

I have always been an avid runner. In August 2024, I was training for my seventh marathon when I developed pain and swelling in my left leg. 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 at mile 8…

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I Waited Until the Pain Was Unbearable: Taylor’s Story

It started on a Tuesday with mild lower back pain. I assumed that I’d strained something somehow. By Wednesday, the pain was slightly worse, and I felt weak, short of breath, and dizzy when standing—something definitely wasn’t right. By Friday, the pain spread to my left groin and down my left thigh. I convinced myself…

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My Identity As a Lifelong Runner Changed Forever: Becca’s Story

A week after I delivered my beautiful, Covid baby in August 2020, my identity as a lifelong runner changed forever. I was diagnosed with a DVT and admitted to a New Mexico hospital. I felt like my baby had been ripped from me. Covid visitation prevented my husband Dan or my baby from seeing me.…

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We Have to Keep on Living: Ayesha’s Story

Two weeks after giving birth to our second son, I got out of bed and noticed my leg was hurting, and I was barely able to put weight on it. I went about my day as normal, but I started to feel heavy and tired. When I sat down and put my feet up, I…

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Diagnosed With Five DVTs After a Scooter Accident: Xio’s Story

In March 2011, I had a C-section and developed a superficial clot in my left leg, My treatment was compression socks and I felt better after a week. Years later, on March 30, 2024, I had a fall from an electric scooter. All my weight fell on my left leg, but somehow, I got up…

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My Doctor Dismissed My Leg Pain as Sciatica: Ashley’s Story

At 31 weeks pregnant, I was getting ready for the arrival of my baby when I started experiencing extreme pain in my left leg. I remember going to my baby shower and barely being able to walk. This was very concerning, so the next day, I called my OB/GYN and explained my symptoms. Unfortunately, she…

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Use This As Your Reason to Live: Tilly’s Story

Tilly created a documentary on living with the aftermath of deep vein thrombosis. Watch it here.  It began with excruciating back pain and shooting pains up my left leg. I felt unable to walk. The week that I noticed my first symptoms, I was back and forth to urgent care and the doctors. They kept…

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I’m Grateful For My Team of Doctors and My Dog Kiko for Saving My Life: Esmaralda’s Story

I had my first DVT and PE almost five years ago at 21 years old. My leg was hurting, but I kept ignoring it. When my dog Kiko started sniffing my leg and whining, I felt that something was wrong because that was unusual behavior for him. I went to urgent care, and they sent…

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I Was Described as Neurotic: Caroline’s Story

In April 2022 here in New Zealand, my first pulmonary embolism was detected by chance. I mentioned a fluttery heart while having a routine flu vaccine. This prompted the nurse to check, and she discovered an irregular rhythm. The doctor then ordered a few tests, including a D-dimer. By that night I was in the…

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Today, I’m Blessed to Have My Health: Kimberly’s Story

I started having superficial clots (SVTs) in the early 1990s, which was attributed to birth control. Genetic testing was not available at that time. I joined a list serve (email group) to learn more. Fifteen years later, with occasional SVTs and genetic testing now available, I was diagnosed with one factor V Leiden gene (heterozygous).…

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