PE
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,…
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…
Everyone Was Drawn to her Positivity: Angela and Mallery’s Story
As told by Angela’s daughter, Mallery. My mom passed unexpectedly in September 2024. She had been sick for a few days and finally decided to go to the ER. They did scans and found massive blood clots in her lungs. They were about to med-flight her when she passed away within 1.5 hours of arriving…
Everything Can Change in the Blink of an Eye: Courtney’s Story
On September 30, 2023, I was driving up a mountain to a fall festival near my home in West Virginia with my husband and parents when I began having difficulty breathing, and my heart started racing. By the time we stopped, I could not breathe deep enough and almost passed out. I had to sit…
Listening to Your Body Could Save Your Life: Kamisha’s Story
I’ve been living with DVTs and PEs since the age of 15 when my calf pain was misdiagnosed as arthritis. I’ve never taken birth control and, to my knowledge, there is no family history of clotting disorders. I’m now 46, and honestly, I’ve lost count of how many blood clots I’ve had—including a saddle PE.…
I Had to Learn to Trust That the Medication is Working: Kacey’s Story
I took oral birth control starting at age 18 until 33, when I got pregnant. I delivered twin boys by C- section in May 2024 and resumed taking the same birth control shortly after. In September 2024, I noticed my left leg was swollen and began turning a dark red/purple color. I went to the hospital…
Leg Pain Was Mistaken For an Injury: Karlie and Celina’s Story
As told by Karlie’s mother, Celina. Last June, my 17-year-old daughter Karlie mentioned pain in her left leg. She was a dancer, and dancers always have pain: a pulled muscle, a pinched nerve, or sciatica. The pain increased and moved into her groin area. We treated it as the internet said: heat, ice, and elevate.…
