NeNe Leakes Diagnosed With Blood Clots in Lung, "Blessed To Be Alive" Photo credit: Jason LaVeris/Getty Images NeNe Leakes is "blessed to be alive," she said, after a serious health scare. The former "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star, 45, was diagnosed with blood clots in her lung, she wrote on her website. "I'm told this happened to me because of the constant traveling around the country that I do for my job," she wrote. I'm thankful to be alive. Leakes said she felt short of breath last week. Alarmed, she went to the hospital to get it checked out. "The doctor advised me that most people don't recognize the symptoms of blood clots and don't go to the doctor," she added. That's when the big problems start happening. Now, Leakes is relaxing at home with her husband and family, including her young grand-daughter. "I am fortunate to have had a wonderful experience with doctors and nurses who took care of me," she wrote.