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Two Blood Clots 20 Years Apart: Tim’s Story

My name is Tim. I was born, raised, and still live in Salem, Arkansas. Salem is a small town with many people raising cattle. My dad always had a few heads of cattle and, growing up, I would get on calves trying to ride them. I grew older and started getting on young bulls until…

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The Right Treatment Changed My Life: Jan’s Story

In June 2011, 16 weeks after giving birth to my first child, I started having symptoms of back pain. As a  23-year-old new mother, I diagnosed myself with all sorts of things. I decided that the pain I was experiencing must be my kidneys reacting to alcohol after such a long time without any, and…

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I Am My Own Best Healthcare Advocate: Michael’s Story

I am writing to share my story with the hope that it can help other people who may find themselves in a similar situation. I was misdiagnosed three times in November 2012, when I sought help for what I would describe as classic signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clots in…

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I Am a Survivor: Sarah’s Story

I have always heard it said, “pain is weakness leaving the body,” and as a Marine, I’ve always been one to push my limits, but nothing could prepare me for what was to come. I found enjoyment in long distance runs long after I completed my time in the Marine Corps and trained for marathons.…

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The Most Terrifying Experience of My Life: Sue’s Story

I was 23 years old when I gave birth to my daughter in June 2010. During the last few months of my pregnancy, I sat and laid in bed a lot, because I suffered from sciatica, a condition in which compression of the spinal nerve causes pain in the lower back. Everything was normal with…

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I Survived the Clot: Macie’s Story

My name is Macie Baker, and three years ago, at the age of just 15, I experienced a deep vein thrombosis (DVT or blood clot in the leg). Today, I’m 18, and I have post-thrombotic syndrome. I had no idea that my life would change forever on June 11, 2013. That day, my life changed…

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It’s Like Having Sunburn Inside My Leg: Kerrianne’s Story

I want to share my story because, most importantly, it was as a result of reading patient stories on the National Blood Clot Alliance website that I went to get checked and was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in my left calf. Let me tell you a little bit more about me. I am…

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I Knew Something Was Wrong: Jessica’s Story

I was 25 years old in January 2011, and I knew nothing about blood clots.  Several months prior to that January I felt a mild, irritating pain in my right side.  It occurred mainly when I was laying down too long, hiccupping, or when my breathing was heavy. I went to my doctor; she ordered…

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Her Death Taught Us Lessons: Deborah’s Story As Told By Her Twin Sister, Mary

Mary Bare wrote this story about the death of her twin sister Deborah from a pulmonary embolism.  She is so motivated to spread awareness of signs and symptoms of DVT and PE and is using social media to do so via a Facebook page called Forever Deborah. My name is Mary Bare.  My story is personal,…

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I Didn’t Think Blood Clots Could Happen to Me: Jim’s Story

Jim Smith had DVTs in each leg and a PE after a prostatectomy, and he is now dealing with complications. My story begins in 2006 when I had abdominal surgery for a prostatectomy.  I was hit with a massive pulmonary embolism (PE) ten days after I was discharged from the hospital.  Luckily for me, it…

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