tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-238886322024-03-08T03:32:36.870-08:00BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS in polka-dots CAN DO ANYTHING!BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS in polka-dots CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
Follow "This Clot Buster" triathlete on this quest to raise funds for the NATIONAL BLOOD CLOT ALLIANCE- STOPTHECLOT.org
Come along for the SWIM, the RIDE, the RUN, and everything in between!
Learn more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders at www.STOPTHECLOT.orgClot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.comBlogger588125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-11937860537837937552023-09-26T19:26:00.001-07:002023-09-26T19:26:53.401-07:00CLOT BUSTER @TEAMSTOPTHECLOT POLKA DOTS now available at https://shop.stoptheclot.org/<p> CLOT BUSTER @TEAMSTOPTHECLOT POLKA DOTS now available at <a href="https://shop.stoptheclot.org/">https://shop.stoptheclot.org/</a></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-41919982769807023252023-08-21T13:13:00.002-07:002023-08-21T13:13:22.956-07:00August Athlete of the Month<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is hoping that you are enjoying the summer heat!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of course with caution but I hope you are out there enjoying it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You know that I am as much as possible. Not sure why I hold on so much to being out there but I try to be as much as I can doing whatever I can. Although in my late 40's I am finding some limitations with what I can and cannot do. I can't seem to recover as fast as I did and my body feels tired longer. However, if I truly knew how to "slow down" then perhaps my recovery from racing would be easier. I just don't really slow down and I keep hammering away as much as I can for as long as I can. As if I am trying to out run or out bike or out swim or out kayak my tiredness... This is for sure a really terrible idea and I realize that often just to slug it out and do it again the next day. I guess that I do have a problem but the fall and winter coming up will fix it for me very soon. The colder weather normally slows me down.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWfSj7olK9wJWtdGJg8E2IQwusvzMkvQcvR_B2rPEZapfh8wb5_uq-GcCAhirNnENbPGEKtnHbZ1vP2wRTYJYMLDBSaJdOY6c17S0UtGgfABjrzlYYCuyS3B1QUslsVe7sdseb49TOKx_4rm5-H7-vfTKQymn5qktF3W0PV5u_ESwM0XNy4Lo/s1858/CLOT%20BUSTER%20BIKE%20JERSEY.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="1858" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWfSj7olK9wJWtdGJg8E2IQwusvzMkvQcvR_B2rPEZapfh8wb5_uq-GcCAhirNnENbPGEKtnHbZ1vP2wRTYJYMLDBSaJdOY6c17S0UtGgfABjrzlYYCuyS3B1QUslsVe7sdseb49TOKx_4rm5-H7-vfTKQymn5qktF3W0PV5u_ESwM0XNy4Lo/s320/CLOT%20BUSTER%20BIKE%20JERSEY.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4E7zhlO3EciuT5_bge-4YmVsqLtlWEsGhj33es_riJ4fPU8H6b9sVhQN_hsRGy584ClTPFkjk9rId4bkOU9E2zfhM_cG7KOoBGLl9LG5SCEEz8h6VSQAVW_gfV0b4YRUIl9frpdZDnOkFx5NxkmQcDVhjCwh1MQ_OtJJFpj1R2myLH0wWz9BW/s2016/PEDALING%20WITH%20POLKADOTS.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4E7zhlO3EciuT5_bge-4YmVsqLtlWEsGhj33es_riJ4fPU8H6b9sVhQN_hsRGy584ClTPFkjk9rId4bkOU9E2zfhM_cG7KOoBGLl9LG5SCEEz8h6VSQAVW_gfV0b4YRUIl9frpdZDnOkFx5NxkmQcDVhjCwh1MQ_OtJJFpj1R2myLH0wWz9BW/s320/PEDALING%20WITH%20POLKADOTS.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0CFQB8aILCiAbD-sGYuxaoqEk7-NK1Fd6KniYaV2PHRzBXTzDUcEfiouiOm8lOYULykN3eJfjfR5vJx-2pT18Uo_vZiFO1IDYbZ0_NQALWvLLZ4VpDlAO6ManJyDQ6n1P-vbkZzdJAHUPuhwPK13fcXZU8fSY89iUwQRaIM_9Yy9ytOeCj7Z/s857/TEAM%20STOP%20THE%20CLOT%20LOGO.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="857" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0CFQB8aILCiAbD-sGYuxaoqEk7-NK1Fd6KniYaV2PHRzBXTzDUcEfiouiOm8lOYULykN3eJfjfR5vJx-2pT18Uo_vZiFO1IDYbZ0_NQALWvLLZ4VpDlAO6ManJyDQ6n1P-vbkZzdJAHUPuhwPK13fcXZU8fSY89iUwQRaIM_9Yy9ytOeCj7Z/s320/TEAM%20STOP%20THE%20CLOT%20LOGO.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But this year <b><span style="color: red;">@TeamSTOTHECLOT </span></b>the fall brings the opportunity of the life time to gear up and conquer the NYC Marathon. Blood Clot Survivors along with friends and/or family will not be slowing down and in fact they will be throwing some heavy miles to train and get ready ahead of the marathon in November.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is always an inspiring time of the year where we got to meet <b><span style="color: red;">Blood Clot Survivors that truly CAN DO ANYTHING.</span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to get to meet some of these incredible individuals and ask them to share their story with us. Facing the prospect of running the 26.2 Miles is daunting but this survivors CAN and WILL DO IT.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For this month's blog post please allow me to introduce to you <span style="color: red;"><b>Jana</b></span> who is currently training and building up her endurance so that in November she is ready to face one of the most iconic marathons in the world. We are very fortunate that Jana was able to spare sometime to share some of her thoughts with us about her journey and some of her favorite things in general from the questions that I normally ask.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Please read on and enjoy! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? </i></span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I grew up playing lacrosse and played throughout college as well. Currently I am in to different types of workout classes - F45 has been my favorite - and fun summer activities like Pickle ball! </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>How did you get started in that sport? </i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;">I enjoy different workout classes because I am used to the structure of always playing a sport growing up. Got started in pickleball because it is the sport of the summer!</span></span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;"><b>What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?</b></span></span><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;">I recently completed 13.1 - we're halfway there!! </span></span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;"><b>Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? </b></span></span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;">I found out I had a pulmonary embolism the summer going into my senior year of college and lacrosse due to isolated chest pain I was having. Thankfully it was caught early and a few months of blood thinners/minimal physical activity was all I needed. </span></span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;"><b>When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time? </b> </span></span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565">I am extremely thankful that I was not out of commission completely so working my way back was not too difficult. It was more the mental aspect of understanding that internally my body was still healing and learning to recognize what was the new normal for me. </span><span style="color: #222222;"><u></u><u></u></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? </i></span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;">I was hesitant to try out the running belts but have come to love mine! I think the Polka-dot apparel might take the cake though once it arrives.</span></span><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-3529083948227535969m3768179201194677029m-2969933126034296129m-1324947850643632674gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-66777260565"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="color: black;"><b>How much are you getting out doing your sport? </b></span><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="color: black;">Currently I am running about 3 maybe 4 times a week, and then trying to get in some other type of activity twice a week whether it is a bike ride, workout class, or anything!</span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="color: black;"><b>What is your favorite food? </b></span><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="color: black;">I love a plain pizza and caesar salad combo... or vodka chicken parm!</span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="color: black;"><b>If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? </b></span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="color: black;">I would LOVE to go to Italy! As cliche as it seems I would like to explore it someday. Less extreme I have been wanting to take a trip to California as well - see some of the beach towns and Napa Valley.</span><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours? </i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="color: black;">A close friend of mine has this saying "all discomfort is temporary" - I would tell people that they will get through it, and whatever their new normal becomes will be just fine! Personally I take note on lingering pains/aches or excessive bruising but try and refrain from over-worrying. I was extremely thankful that my episode was caught early and now just take proper precautions when traveling! </span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><u></u> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is wishing Jana the best of luck with her training and eventually the race. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No question that you will have plenty of pizza and caesar salads in your future as those miles continue to add up. You are half-way there and the second half of the marathon is the one that matters with the last miles after 20 really defining your journey... YOU CAN DO IT and I can't wait to hear about how it goes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana;">Blood Clot Survivors CAN DO ANYTHING!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for reading, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Clot Buster</span></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-34305517726478882122023-07-11T19:19:00.000-07:002023-07-11T19:19:14.958-07:00July Athlete of the Month<p>Summer Greetings!</p><p>Here is hoping that this post finds you enjoying the summer doing whatever is that you enjoy</p><p>You know that <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</span></b> </p><p>It is hard for me to believe that next month this blog will be turning 15 years old... Can you believe it?!?! </p><p>I am not sure how this is happening but here we are looking at this milestone that is been one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. Getting the opportunity to keep this up and make a little difference in the lives of people looking for answers along with some inspiration to keep going after a clotting incident has been a thrill so far.</p><p>Over the years I have come across a lot of people with stories that continue to impress me to this day.</p><p>But to be perfectly honest the most amazing thing of this process has been getting to see and follow the evolution of recovery of the people who have been willing to share their stories. I am talking about the evolution over the years and all of the incredible things people are doing even after suffering from their clotting incident. I am not just <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING</span></b> just to say it... I see it happening over and over everyday. This is truly inspiring and blows me away every time I get to see it.</p><p>Over the 15 years of the blog I tried my best to get a new story every single month. I am not sure if I was able to succeed on the repeating side of the equation but I am certain that I have not missed a single month...</p><p>But this month of July I wanted to make an exception because there is a blood clot survivors amongst us who is doing some truly mind bending stuff that I can't even comprehend is possible. </p><p>I got the chance to feature this individual back in September of 2014 so he is been at this endurance running thing for a long time.</p><p>You can see the post I did about him here >>> <b><a href="https://clot-buster-triathlete.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-athelter-of-month.html">https://clot-buster-triathlete.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-athelter-of-month.html</a></b></p><p>No doubt that you are going to be impressed by what he was doing then... almost 10 years ago... </p><p>But you are not going to believe what he is up to now...Truly some epic stuff that you will need some time to process.</p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>MARTIN </b></span>is truly an example that <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANTHING!!!</span></b></p><p>Please checkout this update he put together about celebrating the 10th Anniversary of his clotting incident...</p><p>Read on and Thank You in advance for helping him celebrate that he is alive inspiring us all!</p><h2 class="post_title" data-ng-show="mode === 'list' && !preview" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://donate.stoptheclot.org/fundraiser/4668473" target="_blank"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">STOP THE CLOT - SUPPORT THE</b> SCHNEE<b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">KLOTH</b></a></span></p></h2><section class="post_body ng-isolate-scope" data-parent-container="'.post_content'" data-title-container="'.post_content'" sc-filler-text="{
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}" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 25px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="post_content ng-binding ng-scope" data-ng-bind-html="postBody | scImgAssetRef | userLinks | scTrustedHtml" data-ng-if="!preview" sc-responsive-video="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 24px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><img id="img_40389540597240" src="https://assets.classy.org/2737280/37bf1c3e-e7af-11ed-9dd3-0e8026457e05.jpg" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">Exactly ten years ago, I felt a slight pain in my rib cage while in my office at work. I wrote it off as a strained muscle ma kept working. An hour later, I felt worse and decided to call it an early day. I headed home and messaged my wife that I didn’t feel well, but I want really concerned. An hour later, my wife arrived home to see me hunched over on the couch barely able to take a full breath. She drove me to the ER immediately. I limped inside complaining of chest pain and was immediately admitted for an extensive battery of tests that finally revealed the cause for my serious condition. My legs were covered in DVTs and I had pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. I received serious pain meds to allow me to breathe and I spent the next week in the hospital receiving books thinner injections and more tests. The first 3 days were touch and go with doctors unwilling and unable to confirm whether I would make it. These were the most emotional and scary days of my life, for me, my wife, my son and my entire family. Eventually, I recovered. The cause for the blood clots was identified as a misdiagnosed ankle injury and after a year of medical procedures and rehab, I was back to my old self, more determined than ever to spend life in the now and not in some distant future.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">Since then, I have tried to stay true to that promise to myself. I have challenged myself and my body more than ever before to explore the world and to stretch the limits of what I thought would be possible for me to accomplish and I have had the opportunity to participate in some truly amazing adventures that challenged both my body and mind.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">To celebrate these last 10 years, I am facing my biggest challenges, yet. Yes, I have completed nearly 150 ultramarathons as a blood clot survivor and I have run, walked and crawled distances on up to 240 miles in one go, but this year is even bigger. This year, I intend to complete the 268 mile Spine Race on the Pennine Way Trail in the UK in June (also coined as Britain’s Most Brutal Race) followed by the 200 mile Tor des Geants race in the Italian Alps featuring nearly 80,000 feet of vertical elevation gain. Before, in between and after, I have lined up some of the tougher 100 mile endurance events to make it even more challenging, all in an effort to celebrate the life I’ve been given and to raise awareness and funds for this often silent and overlooked killer.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">I am targeting to raise at least USD 5,200 for the NBCA to mark my 52nd birthday on May 1, the kickoff date for this campaign. </p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">Please help me support the National Blood Clot Alliance by making a donation through my page. The process is fast, easy and secure. Thanks so much for your support... and please don't forget to send this page to any friends you think might be interested in donating!</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><img id="img_42072477387675" src="https://assets.classy.org/2737280/e1030ec4-e7b2-11ed-bc46-0a58a9feac02.jpg" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></p><section class="post_actions" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12); box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; color: #57687d; font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 25px 0px 0px; padding: 12px 0px 13px; width: 790.737px;"><br /></section></div></section>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-81505737061424245772023-06-09T09:18:00.000-07:002023-06-09T09:18:18.052-07:00June Athlete of the Month<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are your <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots</span></b> ready for the summer? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This past weekend I got the chance to race my first triathlon of the summer and of course I had the polka-dots going. Without a question the BEST KIT in all of triathlon... everyone racing and cheering can see it which makes it an outstanding billboard to spread awareness and get people thinking about our message to <b><span style="color: red;">STOP THE CLOT</span></b> as well as celebrating that blood clot survivors can do anything!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the years my experience in the polka-dots has been exceptional. From survivors sharing their stories to family members talking about survivors in their families to regular individuals learning about the cause. I know that similar experiences are happening every time folks wearing polka-dots are out there training and racing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This month's Athlete of the Month is very much a result of seeing the polka-dots in "action" during a trail running race...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING </span></b>of course we have people participating on trail running events that range from short distances to marathons, ultra-marathons, and beyond. If you look at some older postings on this blog you will find folks that not only survived their clotting incidents but now are also back competing and achieving success on the trails.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The story of June's Athlete of the Month starts indeed as spectator of a trail run shortly after his clotting incident... But please allow ROB to explain on his own words...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">My clot, Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis, was two years ago (May 2021) and resulted in the loss of a few feet of bowel and a number of other complications. The clot is being managed but the accompanying issues continue to cause pain and problems 24/7 since the operation. There have been MANY times since the operation that I wasn't sure I would get through this, and there were many times I didn't want too (the mental barriers are as tough as the physical). Shortly after my incident, I went to watch my wife in a trail race (we have been trail runners rocking the 25+km races, 50km for her) and was very saddened to struggle just walking to meet her for the last 800m of the race. </span><b><span style="color: red;">It was here on the course I was inspired by a runner sporting your polka-dot shirt who stopped to share some of his story. </span></b></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><b></b></span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWNejQ6fMi6QynAiK9wkDi2_yngYG_Q7d33RYDYzMdSPw5dsSXAKxBdkJNG9tKUg589HZLUMVBcHn5_whm5UYRkfrR6i7iJoFwTozSCtrYX6C78Fuyd1iV8T-Fm5jFDk6BQ2svkiTU64d_4SibXgV_liRGi0_ZM3AZwLD_1XHkfUeIAp-tA/s4032/2023%20ROB%20NADEAU%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWNejQ6fMi6QynAiK9wkDi2_yngYG_Q7d33RYDYzMdSPw5dsSXAKxBdkJNG9tKUg589HZLUMVBcHn5_whm5UYRkfrR6i7iJoFwTozSCtrYX6C78Fuyd1iV8T-Fm5jFDk6BQ2svkiTU64d_4SibXgV_liRGi0_ZM3AZwLD_1XHkfUeIAp-tA/s320/2023%20ROB%20NADEAU%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></i></span></div><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">About 2 months ago I had a big positive turning point in my recovery and decided to start actively participating in life again. I signed up for a 10km night trail race on May 6 as a goal race- I've been working hard to get there and actually now believe I can do it. This race is a huge goal for me on many levels and I am now even letting others in on my struggle. If as a part of my opening up, I can inspire others (in polka-dots), I would be proud to sport the Dots."</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3YbBsT3Gp817JXO6LFh7kr2sVa0-5kaHHZXDYV8jI4ZSjPq-eLeqN34TYKUdy1QPncg5sSkPnczt-GGNMW57AG0p5PpPdjFMTRsOaMUqdeG9K9L-EiZ1qVNDH53XV9Fo_20k0b58Yhqahv87Um6r7UsA_6R4L1s1JBie2vj9wAt4Caca4Q/s2048/2023%20ROB%20NADEAU%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3YbBsT3Gp817JXO6LFh7kr2sVa0-5kaHHZXDYV8jI4ZSjPq-eLeqN34TYKUdy1QPncg5sSkPnczt-GGNMW57AG0p5PpPdjFMTRsOaMUqdeG9K9L-EiZ1qVNDH53XV9Fo_20k0b58Yhqahv87Um6r7UsA_6R4L1s1JBie2vj9wAt4Caca4Q/s320/2023%20ROB%20NADEAU%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">THANK YOU ROB for your willingness to share your story.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The power of the polka-dots in full action as you got to learn about STOPTHECLOT and of course get inspired by the blood clot survivor you saw in action. How cool is this situation...!?!?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This interaction gets even better because Rob did get the chance to run that 10Km race he wrote about... and HE CRUSHED IT!!! Rob shared with me that the race went better than anticipate and that his time was respectable given his condition and circumstances. Without a doubt your first 10Km race was a success Rob! It is inspiring because you made it to the start line and participated until the end. May this be the start of your COME BACK TO BE BETTER THAN EVER!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Never Stop Moving Forward!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for reading,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Clot Buster</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08D4UbqLVGk1u4ibNSrAE_yc0oXs8PNWL11wFnFIbEmQ_BbWFbmRw-IQHdj0XR4xFBZxdcUEub_7d1Lo0Emr1Ye3cewyrzdvoHUL68XCml4t6rlVM1uGrKF7ERToMsD_3XGFpmyFod4xFT9np2hFabLOIrnLB3HUnb7D8MoASu5bhWXxF-Q/s4032/2023%20ROB%20NADEAU%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08D4UbqLVGk1u4ibNSrAE_yc0oXs8PNWL11wFnFIbEmQ_BbWFbmRw-IQHdj0XR4xFBZxdcUEub_7d1Lo0Emr1Ye3cewyrzdvoHUL68XCml4t6rlVM1uGrKF7ERToMsD_3XGFpmyFod4xFT9np2hFabLOIrnLB3HUnb7D8MoASu5bhWXxF-Q/w300-h400/2023%20ROB%20NADEAU%202.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-36022549775396493772023-05-06T15:32:00.001-07:002023-05-06T15:32:31.049-07:00May Athlete of the Month<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Getting to battle an injury for a long time sure makes you appreciate the times where you did not have any issues.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Slowly it feels like I am finally turning a corner and I am able to string together some workouts without the pain on my heel being a distraction from normal life.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Looking forward to the summer racing coming up as the CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots are getting dusted off... But even better is the fact that the polka-dot goodness is being shipped out to survivors far and wide. It is very cool to see goods heading out all over the country and even to Canada over the latest blitz.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">For this month's Athlete of the Month we have someone very special with a story that has a happy ending instead of all too common tragic ending that could have been prevented.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Please allow me to introduce to you Sarah along with her story. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Read on as you will be engaged and inspired.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8qfrma_NTJd76bXSHBnyZxnIu0jnJ-7Cv2hcURXWwqZWriFvHio3uoTv722nZQbJYp5wQUpKZn61R_B-dlyK_oeV-9nonc2k6rtN7ZpZrYB8p0cHT7SzOoBBuncIjT57FiS6CXqd33nzdO6kPiZb5KGldgWZkSTVjLt1xAx6wJz7M7c19A/s4032/SARAH%20May%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8qfrma_NTJd76bXSHBnyZxnIu0jnJ-7Cv2hcURXWwqZWriFvHio3uoTv722nZQbJYp5wQUpKZn61R_B-dlyK_oeV-9nonc2k6rtN7ZpZrYB8p0cHT7SzOoBBuncIjT57FiS6CXqd33nzdO6kPiZb5KGldgWZkSTVjLt1xAx6wJz7M7c19A/s320/SARAH%20May%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I enjoy cycling. It's an activity that can be challenging at times and was once impossible for me to do.</span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How did you get started in that sport? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> through friends.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve? </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My goal this year is my </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">half iron man</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> coming up in October which is 56 miles for the bike portion. I'm also doing a couple duathlons and 5ks this year. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">At the end of July 2021, I started to develop some intense jaw/ear pain. Thinking it was my wisdom teeth, I made an appointment with my dentist. She assured me my teeth were fine and advised me to see my primary doctor. He didn’t have any openings so I ended up going to urgent care. The doctor saw a little fluid build up behind my ear and started me on a steroid pack, nasal spray, Benadryl, and antibiotics.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">A week later the pain remained, but I had been training for a duathlon and thinking I just had a head cold I decided to still compete. I was able to complete it but had a lot of difficulty regulating my heart rate throughout and just did not feel right.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was soon after that, that I started to develop some left sided calf tightness to the point where it was painful.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">I called my doctor and was able to get an appointment. I explained my calf symptoms and that I was worried due to being on oral contraceptives because I knew that increases my chances of getting a blood clot. I told him that I have a positive Homans sign and was concerned. He never examined my leg. In fact, he totally dismissed me saying that I’m young and healthy and have nothing to worry about.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Two weeks later, I felt my HR going fast. My apple watch alerted me that my resting HR was over 125 bpm for three straight hours. I then went through the data my watch stores and noticed that my resting HR was 15 bpm higher in August than it was in July.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">I started monitoring it daily. A week later, I wore my watch to bed and my resting HR never went below 85bpm sleeping. I messaged my doctor about my symptoms saying I needed an appointment.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">The next day, Monday, my doctor responds but not to come in, rather to call a hospital to get a HR monitor put on. The earliest appointment was two days away. I took it reluctantly.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">But as that Monday went on, I started having shortness of breath, inability to take a deep breath in, and severe chest pains. I left work, called my husband and said we need to go to the ER. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">There I was diagnosed with an Acute Pulmonary Embolism, blood clot in my lung affecting my entire left lower lobe. They gave me a shot of blood thinners in my stomach and I was admitted.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">After a year of tests and blood work, the clot was gone but I found out that I have a Protein S Deficiency that was brought out by my birth control. I am now forever on blood thinners. I’m thankful to have found this and to have known enough to repetitively seek medical attention until I was heard.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: small;">The clot traveling to my lung could have completely been avoided if my doctor listened to me and ran a simple test. Take this as a sign. If you feel something about your body isn’t right, chances are it isn’t. Keep being your own advocate. You just may save your own life.</span></p><p><span class="m_-3183663799453585073gmail-m-5070768438814337404gmail-m-3120438827101010041gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time? </span><span style="color: red;">Not for at least 6 months from my clot did I feel comfortable riding a stationary bike due to breathing issues. It felt impossible but turned out very rewarding. I remember the first week after being discharged from the hospital, and how hard it was to go upstairs, I had to stop every 3 steps </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">because I was COMPLETELY out of breath, or even standing to shower was nearly impossible. To be able to ride for 20 minutes non stop was huge and inspiring.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Definitely my Trek Domane SL6, absolutely LOVE my bike.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How much are you getting out doing your sport? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I train on my bike 2-3 days a week. I do other workouts between to get ready for some Duathlons I have planned this year.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What is your favorite food? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love pasta especially a white sauce with sundried tomatoes and garlic!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Greece!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">While in the acute stages of having a clot, recovery may seem so long winded. But it is possible. You have to stay positive, knowing that better days are ahead. Lean on your family and friends to guide you through the days. Once cleared to start some activity, start small, don't feel discouraged when you can barely walk for 5 minutes at a time.... I've been there and now I'm running/biking/and lifting 5 days a week. Your body can truly do amazing things. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How about this story from Sarah. Truly unreal that her primary doctor dismissed her concerns... So glad to hear that Sarah took it upon herself to go to the ER and get checked.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!! Even advocate for themselves. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Can't wait to hear how the events Sarah is planning on doing this year will turn out. She is truly an inspiration that all of us can follow because YOU CAN'T EVER GIVE UP!!!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thank you for reading,</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Clot Buster </span></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-51096023997700408872023-04-22T06:50:00.001-07:002023-04-22T06:50:13.350-07:00April Athlete of the Month<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Well... looks like April slipped right through my fingers and I almost missed this month's post.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It has been busy month.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Lots of <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dot</span></b> packages going out this month to Blood Clot Survivors all over the USA and Canada. It is a thrill to get to mail this packages of polka-dot goodness to people who are overcoming the challenges of blood clots and really getting back some sort of normalcy. I have said it many times... IT IS TRULY INSPIRING!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As it stands this month's post will need to be short and sweet as I need to fit in a Saturday "longish" workout ahead of my "futbol" coaching duties, and weekend chores... pedal to the metal everyday - ALL DAY.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This month's athlete of the month is DAVID and his story was first posted on <b><span style="color: red;">STOPTHECLOT.org </span></b>as part of the series of stories featured during Blood Clot Awareness Month in March. This is another interesting story worth reading as blood clots don't care about how young or fit you are... when they are coming they are coming... the question is... will you be ready to understand the signs and symptoms, will you seek help and be your advocate when doctors are hesitant, will you be able to overcome to come back to the best of your ability? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It is not easy BUT IT CAN BE DONE!!! David is doing it at his level... everyone has their own level which will allow you to return and hopefully be better than ever!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">I had a <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/learn_more/signs-and-symptoms-of-blood-clots/how_is_pe_diagnosed/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">pulmonary embolism</a> in the fall of 2016. I was just 24 years old and was an avid runner/marathoner. I had completed about 10 marathons, including the iconic Boston Marathon. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR70qD4cibtr4wJxkiUhzS9lAMWLLHuNvdoSGn1dMK4zvrEivxS_K9WZhwIQ0wXY197doq5dshW86QNGMxgERGyVPTt2UYYqIGo7ZWW6Me7KLtzDhnUJeK6fKyzK1CZ2j53AnE75rHS9DQKFAxXjljIV1VijpaM00uWzTuxhyplAS0by8B5Q/s292/David%20April%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="271" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR70qD4cibtr4wJxkiUhzS9lAMWLLHuNvdoSGn1dMK4zvrEivxS_K9WZhwIQ0wXY197doq5dshW86QNGMxgERGyVPTt2UYYqIGo7ZWW6Me7KLtzDhnUJeK6fKyzK1CZ2j53AnE75rHS9DQKFAxXjljIV1VijpaM00uWzTuxhyplAS0by8B5Q/s1600/David%20April%202023.jpg" width="271" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">At the time, I didn’t really know what a blood clot was, and I completely missed the <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/learn_more/signs-and-symptoms-of-blood-clots/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">signs of a blood clot</a> developing in my leg. In my mind, any sign of leg cramping just meant I was pushing a little too hard from all of the running. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">But, a couple of weeks after some cramping in my legs began, I started to develop chest pain. I waited a couple of days before going to the hospital. On the day I finally went to get looked at, I had run 16 miles that morning. I was young, fit, and healthy. Doctors were skeptical when they first started running tests. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">They eventually discovered I had a blood clot, and I stayed in the hospital for a couple of days. Tests showed that I have the <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/factor-v-leiden/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">factor V Leiden</a> clotting disorder and I would need to be on <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/living-your-best-life-while-taking-blood-thinners/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">blood thinners</a> indefinitely. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">The road back to full health wasn’t easy. Doctors didn’t know if I would be able to run the same way again. I started having regular <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/psychological-impact-of-blood-clots/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">panic attacks</a> and still battle with anxiety today. I got back into running and did my first marathon about a year after the blood clot with Team Stop the Clot</span><span data-contrast="auto">®</span><span data-contrast="auto"> at the New York City Marathon. I ran it in two hours and 47 minutes (2:47</span><span data-contrast="auto">)</span><span data-contrast="auto"> and I have since run a 1:13 half marathon and a 2:42 full marathon. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">Over the last couple of years, I have gotten into triathlons. I qualified for the 70.3 World Championships in my first attempt at the distance and competed at the World Champs in 2021 and 2022. I finished my first Ironman in November 2022 in less than 10 hours. I’m very close to earning a professional license in the sport, which is my goal in 2023.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">Having a blood clot makes me more aware of my surroundings. I have to think about things other people don’t. When I’m riding a bike or driving a car, there’s an added risk if I were to get into an accident. The various blood clot forums have been helpful since there aren’t a lot of studies on <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/athletes-and-blood-clots/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">high-level athletes and blood clots</a>.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">The journey back hasn’t been easy, but things seem to get a little easier each day. My wife, my family, and the larger blood clot community have provided immense support. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica;"><b>BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Never Stop trying to overcome. It is worth it!</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thank you for reading,</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Clot Buster</span></span></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-39422151487037457072023-03-14T19:30:00.001-07:002023-03-14T19:30:26.882-07:00March Athlete of the Month<p><b><span style="color: red;">MARCH is BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">MARCH is BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">MARCH is BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">MARCH is BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">MARCH is BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH!</span></b></p><p>This is the month to step it up and really push the awareness for this cause.</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">STOPTHECLOT.org</span></b> is doing a FANTASTIC job promoting <b><span style="color: red;">#BCAM (Blood Clot Awareness Month)</span></b> and I am very much enjoying all of the valuable information that is being shared. Also, the personal stories that are being posted for sure are galvanizing this month of awareness. Every story counts because it can help with inspiration and with guidance that can help someone down road as they relate to the story. It is so important for these stories to be shared far and wide.</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHIING!</span></b></p><p>I keep debating as to to which stories to share for this month's featured athlete because all the stories matter. I decided to get started with <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>SHERRYE's</b></span> story and I hope that if you are reading you can relate and hopefully find the inspiration you need to overcome the challenges of your own blood clotting incident. It is not going to be easy but YOU WILL GET THROUGH it because you ARE NOT ALONE in this journey.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOzDOUe9hHxz4-HODYttkwrkuCuu_YWbrSMMH8h_V0BhKXvkw-hczc4Zzk70o-c1om8jXT0s7pFh-N9eSwjHEnbbL4pGDaNoGtUCB0gYmbMKGLTa-yG8dnpTg2-gEnrMOMQUGqVQxz_ryqmpWvLqvLnqNNuApe9a551I0GAG5oLBZIQe6EA/s337/SHERRYE%20MARCH%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="273" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOzDOUe9hHxz4-HODYttkwrkuCuu_YWbrSMMH8h_V0BhKXvkw-hczc4Zzk70o-c1om8jXT0s7pFh-N9eSwjHEnbbL4pGDaNoGtUCB0gYmbMKGLTa-yG8dnpTg2-gEnrMOMQUGqVQxz_ryqmpWvLqvLnqNNuApe9a551I0GAG5oLBZIQe6EA/s320/SHERRYE%20MARCH%202023.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto" style="color: #333333;">My story is not that I had an extensive <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/learn_more/signs-and-symptoms-of-blood-clots/how_dvt_is_diagnosed/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">deep vein thrombosis (DVT)</a>, since this happens to so many of us. My story is that it took me five weeks and five doctors</span><span data-contrast="auto" style="color: #333333;">,</span><span data-contrast="auto" style="color: #333333;"> plus one physical therapist to have my symptoms truly heard and diagnosed. I had even asked all the right questions and pursued the correct doctors. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="color: #333333;"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">In June of 2021, my husband and I took a three-hour drive from Connecticut to Boston. This was three weeks after I started <a href="https://womenandbloodclots.org/hormone-replacement-therapy/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">birth control to treat uterine fibroid symptoms</a>. I had asked my doctors about blood clot risks since I am 48, but they said I wasn’t at risk because I didn’t smoke. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">We arrived on a Friday night. When I woke up Saturday morning, I had a <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/learn_more/signs-and-symptoms-of-blood-clots/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">very sharp pain in my right calf</a> and found it difficult to walk, but I had no swelling. I immediately thought it was a blood clot since I knew the symptoms, but decided to see how it progressed. I made a decision that I think truly helped me. I decided to walk all six miles of the Freedom Trail in Boston. If I had stayed in bed because of the pain, things could have been worse. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">The calf pain didn’t subside, so as soon as I got home, I went to urgent care. The doctor said since there was no swelling, she didn’t think it was a blood clot and gave me a muscle relaxer. She performed no diagnostics. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">The pain spread down to my heel, so the following week, I went to a podiatrist. I asked if it could be a blood clot, but I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Again, I was misdiagnosed. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">The pain kept increasing. I saw an orthopedic specialist the following week. He said I had sciatica, even though he did a back x-ray and it came back as negative. He insisted that I did not have a blood clot and told my husband, “Your wife knows too much.” He gave me a prescription for cortisone and physical therapy. Diagnostic test for sciatica only. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">The physical therapist was the first person to take my symptoms seriously. I was having severe leg pain throughout my entire leg by then. She said that I wasn’t presenting with sciatica and that my leg was indeed slightly swollen and warm. She asked me to go back to the ortho and request an ultrasound. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">I immediately went back and saw a different doctor. He said I was already told that it was sciatica and not a blood clot. I said I’d like to have an ultrasound anyway. He couldn’t get me in that night but would ask the vein specialist to see me the next day. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto">That was the most important visit of my life! I was diagnosed with an abdomen-to-ankle DVT with three fully occluded veins in my upper thigh. The birth control and car ride were thought to have contributed to the clot.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span data-contrast="auto" face="montserrat, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">Since then, I acquired a new team of doctors who I trust with my life, I’ve had a hysterectomy, I’ve been off of anticoagulants for a year, and I’ve never been healthier. Keep advocating for your health!</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="montserrat, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"> </span></i></span> </p><p>Indeed you have advocate for yourself.</p><p>Ask questions... ALL THE QUESTIONS.</p><p>Make requests... to make sure that you have the best care possible along the way. It was save your life!</p><p>I have seen countless stories in which the patient had to make the case for their care due to the lack of awareness of the physician. It is an unfortunate situation but it is one that we can overcome with awareness campaigns like BCAM that can bring light to this condition and avoid unfortunate errors in diagnosis. </p><p>Be careful out there.</p><p>Thank you for reading,</p><p>The Clot Buster</p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-29309965774931715502023-02-17T19:55:00.004-08:002023-02-17T19:55:48.034-08:00February Athlete of the Month<p>Where is the month of February going? </p><p>Did the Super Bowl just happen? </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">CONGRATULATIONS to the Kansas Chiefs and their Blood Clot Survivor Team Member TREY SMITH! </span></b></p><p>I was hoping the Chiefs would pull it off as I am a "partial" fan of theirs... I say partial because this household is dominated by Cincinnati Bengal fans and it is not easy to get swept into the madness when is 4 against one... Plus the power of the polka-dots in a blood clot survivor tips the scale for me during the championship.</p><p>With February going by so fast I can certainly look towards March and the fact that it is <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH. </span></b></p><p>STOPTHECLOT.org will be very active during the month to promote the message of awareness for all.</p><p>The effort does not stop to create awareness against blood clots and blood clotting disorders.</p><p>From my side the <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots</span></b> are at the ready be sent out to any and all who are interested in spreading the awareness. We are all and will be wearing the polka-dots proudly because we celebrate ALL Blood Clot Survivors but also remember those we lost along the way.</p><p>Over the 15 years of doing this blog I've had the incredible fortune to get to meet 2 Fantastic and Inspiring ladies named Kim that were featured previously. Well the third installment of <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>KIM</b></span> is going to be just as Fantastic and Inspiring. </p><p>I need to channel the grit and determination of all 3 Kims as I am trying to overcome my own set of injuries and issues that are trying to slow me down. I am inspired by this Kim and her will to overcome despite the challenges she faced with her own blood clotting incidents. </p><p>I won't say more and I will let you read her introduction from the fundraising page she had set up for her NYC Marathon attempt.</p><p>THANK YOU Kim for sharing your story with all of us!</p><p>Keep the inspiration going!</p><p><a href="https://donate.stoptheclot.org/fundraiser/3838397"><i>https://donate.stoptheclot.org/fundraiser/3838397</i></a></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><i>Having experienced two blood clotting events throughout the years, my goal is to promote the work being done in support of programs that build public awareness (know your risk factors!), educate patients (what should I be asking my doctor?) and healthcare professionals (what’s new in treatment?).</i></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>20 years ago, I was training for my first marathon, I had just completed a 20 mile long run and was ready to start the taper to race day. I felt strong and in great shape! My training came to an abrupt stop as I experienced a pulmonary embolism (PE) just 3 weeks ahead of my race date.</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>I would stay in the hospital for a couple of days while they worked to clear the clot. I learned to give myself a shot of heparin. I learned that birth control was probably a contributing factor. I learned that I had Factor V Leiden. All very important and life changing items! However, at that time the hardest element for me was learning that I would not be able to participate in the marathon that I had trained so hard for those past 5 months. With the support of my doctor, my family, and friends I returned to running and trained again for that marathon the following year. More determined than ever I made sure I crossed that finish line!</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>5 years ago, while training for a half marathon I experienced a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in my left calf. Delayed that race once again, trained the following year and completed the half with friends by my side.</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>Being active is an important part of my life – running, biking and even now swimming helps me stay focused on living a healthy lifestyle.</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">Believe in yourself and listen to what your body let's you do. You will accomplish everything!</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">NEVER STOP GOING FORWARD!</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">Thank you for reading,</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">The Clot Buster</p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-24062329852884001952023-01-12T14:10:00.003-08:002023-01-12T14:10:30.231-08:00January Athlete of the Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ON_Mjb-8pI5NT3vTUOD-1PnYpaCKjVIFB6825PjIKeiDdsYmiQ2BE9rG05f0LIcrNEC74ndFC6uv_PJSaXCuFM2VuHDb9GtNtnz1iEqEuwxGWuuNQ7bveBoUgz1X1gBhTOP0eSVYfx87JNq9Cr4jvntatL4rjDZU7BKk-bY-naCjLBA5Vg/s851/HAPPY%20NEW%20YEAR%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="851" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ON_Mjb-8pI5NT3vTUOD-1PnYpaCKjVIFB6825PjIKeiDdsYmiQ2BE9rG05f0LIcrNEC74ndFC6uv_PJSaXCuFM2VuHDb9GtNtnz1iEqEuwxGWuuNQ7bveBoUgz1X1gBhTOP0eSVYfx87JNq9Cr4jvntatL4rjDZU7BKk-bY-naCjLBA5Vg/w400-h245/HAPPY%20NEW%20YEAR%202023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></b></p><p>Hello 2023!</p><p>Here is wishing everyone reading this a blessed new year full of gratitude, happiness, good fortune and good health.</p><p>There is no way to know what the new year will bring. </p><p>But one this is for sure, we will have more blood clot survivors join the cause and we will <b><span style="color: red;">CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE that BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!! @TeamSTOPTHECLOT @STOPTHECLOT</span></b></p><p>Let the inspiration of overcoming the challenges brought on by blood clots keep us all going.</p><p>Speaking of overcoming challenges let's get the year started with an incredible athlete. I mean, this is one that you will want to read because it impressive.</p><p>Although I now live in Ohio, I did get the chance to live in Kansas City for a number of years as I had job opportunity there. Living in the city of fountains got me interested in the Kansas City Chiefs and I have followed them since the early 2000's. These days I tend to pull for the Cincinnati Bengals because my kids are fans and there is 3 of them and only one of me... But the Kansas City Chiefs have a very special athlete playing for them who is a Blood Clot Survivor... <b><u>Believe it or not this Blood Clot Survivor plays Professional Football.</u></b></p><p>I am still in disbelief that this is possible but YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE!</p><p>Please allow me to introduce to you to the one and only <b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">TREY SMITH.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Check out the story that was featured on</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"> www.STOPTHECLOT.org</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for reading and HAPPY NEW YEAR again!</span></p><h1 class="page-title desktop" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: solid 1px var(--primary-color-black); color: var(--main-gray-color); font-family: montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; font-weight: var(--font-weight-thin); line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 1rem; text-transform: uppercase;">TREY SMITH PARTNERS WITH THE NATIONAL BLOOD CLOT ALLIANCE</h1><div class="post-content" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><time datetime="2022-12-21">December 21, 2022</time></p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;">At six feet, six inches tall and 321 pounds, Trey Smith is an imposing force on the football field, recording more snaps than any guard in the NFL in 2021. So, when this offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs chose the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) as his charity of choice for the NFL’s <span style="font-weight: var(--font-weight-thick);"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=838935990494765" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">“My Cause My Cleats”</a></span> he set out to tackle blood clots with that same force and determination.</p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;">Being diagnosed with pulmonary emboli (blood clots in his lungs) completely changed Trey’s life and nearly derailed his promising football career. And like many others, Trey was initially misdiagnosed – told his breathlessness was due to an upper respiratory infection. Thankfully, Trey listened to his gut and continued to ask questions.</p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;">With this diagnosis, comes so many questions for patients. Over the next several months, Trey worked closely with a multi disciplinary medical team to come up with a plan that would allow him to continue the recommended anticoagulant therapy while also accommodating his high-risk lifestyle as an offensive lineman.</p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;">Since Trey’s initial blood clot diagnosis at the age of 18, he has made it his personal mission to increase public awareness about this illness that affects nearly one million Americans every year and encourages other athletes to share their blood clotting experiences.</p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;">Trey is partnering with the National Blood Clot Alliance to share his story with the public in order to help raise awareness and <span style="font-weight: var(--font-weight-thick);"><a href="https://donate.stoptheclot.org/campaign/2022-year-end-campaign/c441212" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">support NBCA initiatives.</a></span> Watch Trey’s full interview with NBCA Ambassador and Olympic Medalist Swimmer, <span style="font-weight: var(--font-weight-thick);"><a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/katie-hoffs-blood-clot-story/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration-thickness: 1px;">Katie Hoff.</a></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rvefxkoSer0?feature=oembed" title="Trey Smith, Offensive Lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, Shares His Blood Clot Story" width="500"></iframe></p></div>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-62371745298770195492022-12-08T14:03:00.002-08:002022-12-08T14:03:52.723-08:00December Athlete of the Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzDf9Ct4VoOBHd_4FfO0yjzpOUquhpSrhOzHcCAKYOCp7Pe6HnDzPnvxzWNrkKGf-L9BuoAI59x4j3pRqPygVQPfwgr4sVjtmoXrLqGrdFHqg8FhqQZ0PcDP1J1OpcsUXW6TfjniZHOlf0JMB8prjbO6mUIDbuLZiMDRYNSTXGJZZWLsX2Q/s782/CHRISTMAS2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="782" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzDf9Ct4VoOBHd_4FfO0yjzpOUquhpSrhOzHcCAKYOCp7Pe6HnDzPnvxzWNrkKGf-L9BuoAI59x4j3pRqPygVQPfwgr4sVjtmoXrLqGrdFHqg8FhqQZ0PcDP1J1OpcsUXW6TfjniZHOlf0JMB8prjbO6mUIDbuLZiMDRYNSTXGJZZWLsX2Q/w400-h225/CHRISTMAS2022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">Here is wishing EVERYONE a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!!!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">May you receive all the good health, happiness, and good fortune you deserve.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">If you are in need of polka-dot gear you know you are at the right place to order some.</p><p>It has been an incredible year of spreading awareness about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.</p><p>It has been an incredible year of celebrating that blood clot survivors CAN DO ANYTHING.</p><p>It has been an incredible year of getting the <b><span style="color: red;">@TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots </span></b>out to various parts of the country and the world. I can't get enough of seeing the polka-dots going places...</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">STOPTHECLOT.org</span></b> is closing out the year in style as we have a NFL Player with STOPTHECLOT.org cleats playing on prime time on Sunday... if you did not see this check out all the posts about it both on Twitter and on Facebook. It is truly remarkable the reach we have in our quest of spread awareness.</p><p>Speaking of polka-dots going places... The NYC Marathon is one of those places and this year we had our largest team yet since we started in 2013. </p><p>It is very cool to see the program grow and get people involved in it.</p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>KATIE</b></span> is one of those who got involved as a blood clot survivor. She is definitely a survivor WHO CAN AND WILL DO ANYTHING!!!</p><p>I don't need to tell you about it... I will let you read what Katie wrote about her story as found on her fundraising page from the NYC Marathon Campaign.</p><p>Please read on and get INSPIRED TO OVERCOME!!!</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><i>In January, 2022 I was preparing for my wedding when the unthinkable happened. 4 days prior to the big day I developed severe chest pain and difficulty breathing. I went to the local ER where they diagnosed me with a large blood clot in my lung. I was placed on blood thinners right away and underwent additional testing to determine the cause of my clot. As a 36-year-old healthy, active woman a clot diagnosis was a shock and absolutely crushing. I feared I would never run again. I have since learned I have a condition called Factor V Leiden which is a genetic blood clotting disorder. This condition places me at an increased risk of blood clots.</i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC4jIqKUbDreu0hZqvrwkrWadfj7NtmtN4JXxczIG9ik1AV3yoi3UohJ-0s9sl0TzpCea9oOLpSZHfc-79BEbVVKChSf6Sm5gM0izs91bP-AKn6nC0aCGcXa2vFQ0RWfyDetjKan8Ay9hrCZS8ulIEUkFWl7IdZ2WMhjibLZqIJoQTl3Dmw/s371/KATIE%20December%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC4jIqKUbDreu0hZqvrwkrWadfj7NtmtN4JXxczIG9ik1AV3yoi3UohJ-0s9sl0TzpCea9oOLpSZHfc-79BEbVVKChSf6Sm5gM0izs91bP-AKn6nC0aCGcXa2vFQ0RWfyDetjKan8Ay9hrCZS8ulIEUkFWl7IdZ2WMhjibLZqIJoQTl3Dmw/s320/KATIE%20December%202022.jpg" width="317" /></i></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><i>Prior to my clot diagnosis I was a very active runner. I completed a 3-hour endurance run (in the snow!) just 2 weeks prior to my diagnosis. My husband and I even organized a 7K run event the morning of our wedding for our family and friends. Sadly, I was not able to run the wedding event due to the clot. In the 7 months since my diagnosis I have had to learn to be patient with my body as it continues to heal. I haven’t stopped running and in fact completed a few events since my diagnosis including a half marathon in Yellowstone.</i></span><p></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>While looking for support from other athletes affected by blood clots I found The National Blood Clot Alliance and Team Stop the Clot. This group has provided me with education, guidance and encouragement as I continue to recover.</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>Running the New York City Marathon with Team Stop the Clot is a sure way to prove to myself and others impacted by clots that <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">blood clot Survivors can do anything</span>.</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We are so glad that you we were able to find<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87);"> </span><b><span style="color: red;">STOPTHECLOT.org</span></b><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87);"> </span>Katie.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So glad to hear and know that you have not stopped running.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Can't wait to see where else you will be running and what barriers you will breakdown in the process</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">NEVER STOP GOING FORWARD!!!</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank you for reading,</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Clot Buster</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoO25wYcSNa8r_aCaQnj1guFV4ul-JxvxuPKxa8MtHzb5nSvt04N1Ge6gp-b_ZaAklWULM-Pmp_2eOO0Ka1773qOy50NAnebla8z644ONFxQNb1QR2YerqTaDSFiU5OZ4Jhb6zH-gCxSHbihSrrifjgcZNtTRcURsoq618tmf1YeBZ2FCEw/s1032/CHRISTMAS2022_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1032" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoO25wYcSNa8r_aCaQnj1guFV4ul-JxvxuPKxa8MtHzb5nSvt04N1Ge6gp-b_ZaAklWULM-Pmp_2eOO0Ka1773qOy50NAnebla8z644ONFxQNb1QR2YerqTaDSFiU5OZ4Jhb6zH-gCxSHbihSrrifjgcZNtTRcURsoq618tmf1YeBZ2FCEw/w400-h271/CHRISTMAS2022_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-1546775235444198282022-11-11T12:38:00.004-08:002022-11-11T12:38:45.488-08:00November Athlete of the Month<p><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</span></b></p><p>Let me repeat...</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">CONGRATULATIONS</span></b> to everyone on <b><span style="color: red;">@TeamSTOPTHECLOT</span></b> who participated and crushed the <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">NYC Marathon</span></b> this weekend.</p><p>What an inspiring day!</p><p>It looked to be an amazing day for everyone involved.</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">#STOPTHECLOT</span></b> had their very own cheering section along the course which I am sure was rocking and helped the runners out there get after the finish.</p><p>Almost 10 years since the time I ran the NYC Marathon and I can still remember all of it. It is truly an experience that you will never forget. But the experience is even better because <b><span style="color: red;">@TeamSTOPTHECLOT</span></b> was in their polka-dots representing a cause that is making a difference.</p><p>THANK YOU to everyone in the team for your efforts in fundraising but also in your efforts to complete the marathon.</p><p>Over the past several months we have been celebrating members of the 2022 <b><span style="color: red;">@TeamSTOPTHECLOT</span></b> with a post on this blog. Since we had our biggest crew to date I have some amazing stories to share so please come along to meet another member of the team.</p><p>Please allow me to introduce to you <b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">ALEX</span></b>. She has certainly an incredible story that you will want to read. I am truly amazed... and inspired by what Blood Clot Survivors CAN DO!</p><p>If you are willing and able you can still donate to Alex's Fundraising Effort by using the following link >>> <a href="https://donate.stoptheclot.org/fundraiser/3858591">https://donate.stoptheclot.org/fundraiser/3858591</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIAQhSAE2ovx3EemnUQEkXV3FufYnBq41TRdFRr03dTn3dE_5NhYdfVpmPIpkyX8a8ro_i363tyge9q8hZOCed9uJnvxtcJFe2n6Gljgly-9Hi7on4vfNgSVHDmzyJhWlCE6-1OTK2JeNC16EQCB_da1UwQ-CD-TcBWEq4uyThdc3ccuEbA/s380/ALEX%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="380" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIAQhSAE2ovx3EemnUQEkXV3FufYnBq41TRdFRr03dTn3dE_5NhYdfVpmPIpkyX8a8ro_i363tyge9q8hZOCed9uJnvxtcJFe2n6Gljgly-9Hi7on4vfNgSVHDmzyJhWlCE6-1OTK2JeNC16EQCB_da1UwQ-CD-TcBWEq4uyThdc3ccuEbA/s320/ALEX%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">My Story...</span></i></p><div><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">I dedicated nearly a decade trying to become the best version of myself in the sport of rowing, and in my final year of training toward my goal of making the Olympic team I developed a blood clot in my left shoulder. Ten pushups during a pre-practice warmup left my arm swollen, achy and purple. I consulted with the team doctor, who suspected I was dealing with a clot, and got myself to the ER immediately. </span></i></span><section class="post_body ng-isolate-scope" data-parent-container="'.post_content'" data-title-container="'.post_content'" sc-filler-text="{
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}" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 25px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="post_content ng-binding ng-scope" data-ng-bind-html="postBody | scImgAssetRef | userLinks | scTrustedHtml" data-ng-if="!preview" sc-responsive-video="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 24px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">A few tests later and the staff was able to confirm that I had developed a sizeable clot in my sub-clavean vein due to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Years and years of impingement between my clavicle, first rib and over-used muscle had formed scare tissue that had ultimately closed off my vein.</span></i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">I spent the next three days alone in the hospital, during the height of the pandemic, including a full 24 hours in the ICU with a 14-inch catheter in my arm that dripped clot-busting medicine into my vein. I returned just four days later to have my first rib surgically removed to free up space in that thoracic outlet region and to prevent the same type of clot from forming again. </span></i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">I was lucky enough to have a great team of loved ones, coaches and PT's who helped expedite my recovery process. I was on the spin bike three days after surgery and back in a boat just 12 weeks after surgery. Needless to say my goal of making the Olympic team had been significantly impacted by this untimely challenge, but it was important to me to see my journey through to it's end in whatever way I could - so I set a new goal: get healthy enough to compete at Olympic trials. I am extremely proud and grateful to say that I was able to reach that goal and race a pretty courageous regatta with my double's partner.</span></i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">I consider my experience a lucky one for a number of reasons, but most notably, I could not have had a better support system. I had a team of doctors and friends within my rowing and personal communities who knew exactly what was happening from the very beginning and as a result my treatment timeline was as stream-lined as possible. Additionally, I was lucky enough to know two other athletes in my sport who had gone through the exact same thing. They were both incredibly helpful through the entire process and made it all a little less scary.</span></i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">This leads me to why I am so excited about supporting the National Blood Clot Alliance! They have a mission dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and clot-provoked stroke. I had great care after the major symptoms developed, but I have since learned that there were many indicators that I missed that could have helped to identify the clot in an earlier stage. With that said, not all clots are the same and not every person has access to the resources they need to deal with them. I am really humbled by the opportunity to help build community and awareness around this issue so that more clot stories can end safely and positively.</span></i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for your support!</span></i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">How about that?!?!?</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">A Blood Clot Survivor at the Olympic Trials for rowing... THAT IS AMAZING.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">I would love to learn how to row someday... It looks so elegant and fluid... </span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">But again, the tenacity and dedication to overcome a set back like blood clots to return to the Olympic trials and try again is simply unreal.</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">NEVER STOP trying ALEX. </span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thank you for the inspiration to never ever give up!</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Get inspired! You can do this!</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thank you for reading,</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Clot Buster</span></p></div></section></div>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-40338726111196479522022-10-14T17:34:00.002-07:002022-10-14T17:34:33.293-07:00October Athlete of the Month<p>Here comes the fall!</p><p>Can you believe it?</p><p>I was just outside doing one my long runs in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon at the end October in the beloved <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots.</span></b> As I was running all around I saw all of the trees changing colors and leaves falling all over the place. Are you ready? Although the colors are beautiful saying goodbye to the summer takes me a while... </p><p>However, inspiration comes on strong at this time of the year because World Thrombosis Day happens on 10/13 and <b><span style="color: red;">STOPTHECLOT.org</span></b> always has an event to celebrate this massive day of awareness around the world. </p><p>Are you going to run between 10/13 and 10/17 in the <b><span style="color: red;">"RACE TO STOP THE CLOT Virtual Fun"? Register here >>> <a href="https://bit.ly/nbcarace" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/nbcarace</a> COME ON RUN WITH US!!!</span></b></p><p>Also, inspiration comes in the form of <b><span style="color: red;">@TeamSTOPTHECLOT</span></b> getting ready to run in the upcoming NYC Marathon. This year we have our largest group of Blood Clot Survivors and Friends taking on this incredible race while they spread awareness about NBCA's mission. I can't believe how many people we have running this year. Very proud and inspired to see this effort grow as much as it has since our first go back in 2013.</p><p>Back in August you got read about <b>DAVID - <a href="https://clot-buster-triathlete.blogspot.com/2022/08/august-athlete-of-month.html " target="_blank">https://clot-buster-triathlete.blogspot.com/2022/08/august-athlete-of-month.html </a></b>He is keeping us his training and he will be ready to crush it come Marathon Time. You can also see his fundraising page <a href="https://donate.stoptheclot.org/fundraiser/3904599" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p>So for this month's Athlete of the Month post I wanted to highlighted another runner in the team.</p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>ASHLEY</b></span> is Blood Clot Survivor and nothing is getting in her way to keep breaking down barriers. </p><p>Please read on to learn more about Ashley and her journey...</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>In December of 2013, I decided to join a local gym after just moving to a new area, and spent a lot of time doing group classes and walking on the treadmill. One day while I was walking, I looked down and noticed some swelling in my lower left leg. I figured the swelling was just from the exercise, but I would soon find out that I was wrong.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnf0YIewjPInM_V-lnlsZrXCsYxJ2YT1mzlCIEYQ6ZfZu4pkV06hbGl613iydaAk4i6hc_MU4la0hUidjXwWli45pToxyLQ3oO24Qg57u0r8_Qwfc9btybrqSnkLuDrnORPsHHYsiAEP6vu4ZF_n7d5fMRinm5q3om3jeWosd_nbOm-k6Aw/s250/ASHLEY%20HOLMES%20TeamSTOPTHECLOT%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnf0YIewjPInM_V-lnlsZrXCsYxJ2YT1mzlCIEYQ6ZfZu4pkV06hbGl613iydaAk4i6hc_MU4la0hUidjXwWli45pToxyLQ3oO24Qg57u0r8_Qwfc9btybrqSnkLuDrnORPsHHYsiAEP6vu4ZF_n7d5fMRinm5q3om3jeWosd_nbOm-k6Aw/s1600/ASHLEY%20HOLMES%20TeamSTOPTHECLOT%202022.jpg" width="250" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>A few weeks had passed, and I noticed the swelling was still there. I convinced myself it wasn’t serious and that it was just a lingering side effect of the exercise. I mentioned these symptoms to my mom and she immediately went into “mom mode” and begged me to call my doctor…so I did. Since the swelling was in my left leg, the doctors thought it could have been something to do with my heart and had me come in right away. I saw the first person that was available who wasn’t even my doctor, and after a brief line of questioning, they sent me in for an ultrasound on my legs. I was sure this was overkill and that everything would come back clear, but I was wrong again.</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>The doctors made me wait for the ultrasound results before I could go home, and the results that were read to me changed my life forever. The ultrasound indicated superficial clots in my left leg, (inflamed veins due to a blood clot just below the surface of the skin). This was all foreign to me, as blood clots were something I knew nothing about until that day. Luckily, the clots were on the surface and this didn’t seem to be too serious – but since I was a healthy 24 year old they wanted to figure out what <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/know-your-risk/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">risk factors</a> may have lead to this. I was sent down to the phlebotomy lab where they drew several vials of blood, and a few days later the results showed I had <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/learn_more/factor-v-leiden-2/" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">factor V Leiden</a>, a blood clotting disorder.</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>I was referred to a cardiologist in Boston and embarked on a 6-month-long journey full of tests and countless doctors appointments. During this period, I received an MRI which revealed <a href="https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/blood-clot-info/" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">deep vein thrombosis</a> (DVT) in both of my legs. I spent months on injected anticoagulants, and was now a 25 year old sporting compression stockings on a daily basis – all from something I didn’t know existed 6 months prior.</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>Once I was given the green light, I began exercising again. I trained for my first, and what I thought would be my my last, 5k! I told myself I would do just one small race to prove to myself that I could complete a race after my diagnosis; and here I am - 7 years later having run numerous 5ks, a handful of 10ks and half marathons, and the 2021 Boston Marathon all under my belt! This goes to show that blood clot survivors can do anything!</i></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">THANK YOU ASHLEY for being a part of the team this year.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING.</span></b></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">NEVER STOP GOING FORWARD!</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">So glad that you have been able to recover and continue to push your efforts from a 5Ks all the way to Marathons... SO IMPRESSIVE.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">If you would like to donate to Ashley's Fundraising Efforts please do so <a href="https://donate.stoptheclot.org/fundraiser/3794980" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">Get inspired to run, to represent, to celebrate and to spread awareness.</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">Thank you for reading,</p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: mulish, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">The Clot Buster</p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-69263814876375540602022-09-16T13:20:00.002-07:002022-09-16T13:20:54.299-07:00September Athlete of the Month<p>Wow...</p><p>Sorry about the delay in getting this post going this month.</p><p>Somehow the month of September started and got away from me. I don't even know how I lost track of time... maybe all of the training miles I am doing in preparation for the <a href="https://www.marinemarathon.com/">Marine Corps Marathon</a> at the end of October is taking its toll on my brain's capacity to keep up... I mean the legs and body are sore and tired along with the mind... </p><p>But, just like <b><span style="color: red;">Blood Clot Survivors</span></b> we will overcome and keep going on day at the time counting the small victories along the way.</p><p>Speaking of victories...</p><p>How about <b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">SERENA WILLIAMS</span></b> and her performance at the US Open? </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</span></b></p><p>She is an inspiration for sure. </p><p>Yes, she did not win the whole tournament but as she is facing the twilight of her professional tennis career she delivered some captivating victories that are worth appreciating.</p><p>That is what being a survivor is all about. That is what the stories I have been sharing for almost 15 years of this blog are all about... </p><p>Doing what you can! </p><p>Appreciating the small progress or victories along the way that may eventually lead to bigger success!</p><p>Overcoming the challenges.</p><p>Doing what you can the best that your body will allow you to as you recover.</p><p>There is not much else to say about Serena's career that has not been said... She does need to someday plan on wearing some <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots</span></b> to truly wrap up and put a nice bow on top of all of her accomplishments.</p><p>Many years ago when news came out about her diagnosis I of course had a post about her celebrating that she is a <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVOR</span>... https://clot-buster-triathlete.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-athlete-of-month.html</b></p><p>Since this may be the end of her professional tennis career I think that it would nice to dedicate September's Athlete of the Month in 2022 to her. May she go on and continue to be a force for inspiration and good for all of us. It will be fascinating to see what she will do next and the success that she will have along the way.</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!</span></b></p><p>Thank you for reading, </p><p>The Clot Buster</p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-68175884626721949332022-08-10T08:30:00.000-07:002022-08-10T08:30:20.853-07:00August Athlete of the Month<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As we scramble to get ready for the start of the school year I refuse to accept that summer is coming to end... I am just getting started enjoying the heat...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How is your summer going? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Looking back on the past few months for me it has been a glorious summer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thankful for being able to be outside as much possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thankful for being able to get <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamStopTheClot polka-dots</span></b> shipped all over the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thankful for being able to race a little while spreading awareness with my polka-dots.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thankful for the time to be with family and friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But as summer shifts into fall there is more to look after... <b><span style="color: red;">Team STOP THE CLOT</span></b> is getting ready for the NYC Marathon. This year is going to be a BIG ONE as we have our largest group running in the race representing the polka-dots while they celebrate all blood clot survivors and spread awareness. It is very cool to see how far the wings of <b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://STOPTHECLOT.org">STOPTHECLOT.org</a></span></b> are spreading. We are making a difference in so many levels...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One of the runners in this year's team is DAVID. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You have to read his story because it is a remarkable one. I very much admire David's dedication and tenacity to get after it and really making a difference for him, his family, and the blood clot survivor community. This guy is working HARD to make a difference and we are thankful for his involvement!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You will be inspired after you learns from David's experience. We are very lucky to have him share his thoughts with us. THANK YOU David!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Now sit back and read on to get inspired to overcome!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zafuepQ8p3qgnevWNs3sCg5ipo3jSMAK0CJ6Enrk0Nd08SjUr0z-7Ac0WDEXaR4mnyt9XX2SEHUwEENMnhtPzVvh77-bsFVtgt83isbpl7XWdjz3gt23KwSC24GX29XaRr2osiysF2RwNS5VOLDHX0QYDYGaUcddKYzGbAmyXjfdLACrDw/s2016/DAVID%20E-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zafuepQ8p3qgnevWNs3sCg5ipo3jSMAK0CJ6Enrk0Nd08SjUr0z-7Ac0WDEXaR4mnyt9XX2SEHUwEENMnhtPzVvh77-bsFVtgt83isbpl7XWdjz3gt23KwSC24GX29XaRr2osiysF2RwNS5VOLDHX0QYDYGaUcddKYzGbAmyXjfdLACrDw/s320/DAVID%20E-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><i style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: red;">What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? </span></b></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">My sport has always been tennis, but I discovered a love for running in early 2021. My wife Sara and I bought an incline treadmill. We decided to purchase it a couple days after Thanksgiving 2020 because I stepped on the scale and it read "340 lbs". I was shocked. I looked at it again…340. I was immediately scared. Not because of the number itself or that I had never weighed that much. I was scared because I felt perfectly fine, and I know that I would have been very capable of gaining even more weight and not feel the difference. When you’re slowly gaining weight, that’s really easy to do. This was the moment where I decided, at age 49, that it was time to take control of my health.</span></i></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b style="color: red;">How did you get started in that sport? </b>During the first 8 months of the Covid pandemic, it was really easy to sit around and comfort eat and drink. If it wasn’t for the pandemic and the bad habits that came along with it, I’m not sure I ever would have started running. As they say, “it’s always darkest before the dawn”. <u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>We had the treadmill for a couple of weeks. It was amazing. It was a top-of-the-line nordictrack that with the IFit program, would allow me to go walking and hiking all around the world with an IFit trainer. I never even thought about ever trying to run. I always hated it. I didn’t have a problem with it if it was in short spurts, like tennis. But a long, sustained run? No way. <u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>I’ve been really interested in seeing Portugal and when I saw there was a Portugal series on IFit, I loaded it up and off I went. Oh wait, but there was a problem. It was a beginner running series. The trainer, Tommy Rivers Puzey, immediately said that this six week walk/run series will take a complete beginner, like myself, and have me running for a full 30 minutes by the end of the six weeks. I thought that was crazy. That first program was intervals of walking for 60 seconds and running for 30 seconds. I could barely make it through those 30 seconds. How am I going to do this? I’ve had a DVT and PE. I know I have some heart and lung damage. I’m on anti-coagulants. I weigh too much. Every excuse I could think of as to why I couldn’t do it. Tommy implored me at the end of that first walk/run to keep coming back it will get easier. I was skeptical, but I kept coming back. 30 seconds turned into a minute, then two, then 4, then 8, then 12, then 20. Surely enough at the end of six weeks, I ran for 30 minutes straight through and I felt a whole new freedom. This whole, unknown new world had just opened up right before my eyes and I was ready to explore it!<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqP7OKD2AWKtXfzp0O7BtONyN2RCBR6i1hVXHxvPoiUEJIjoaYT3vPgPqzZj4DB-S0tsPf1v_sWnMj9y_ALfi1kNMY49_rYRkK8D5acdEt9Eo-vdq0e9YJx_sAIWJ3ussT2bDYVLnCLS6OwgPpj3okzef6G3XRtt8pDBKs8tVnC5JRBk0lw/s1390/DAVID%20E-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="642" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqP7OKD2AWKtXfzp0O7BtONyN2RCBR6i1hVXHxvPoiUEJIjoaYT3vPgPqzZj4DB-S0tsPf1v_sWnMj9y_ALfi1kNMY49_rYRkK8D5acdEt9Eo-vdq0e9YJx_sAIWJ3ussT2bDYVLnCLS6OwgPpj3okzef6G3XRtt8pDBKs8tVnC5JRBk0lw/s320/DAVID%20E-4.jpg" width="148" /></a></span></div><i style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve? </span></b>I’m writing this in August of 2022. I’ve been running for 19 months now. In that time, I’ve had Covid-19 twice and two serious bouts of bronchitis. I’m currently over 1200 miles since I began running. I ran my first race, a 10k, the day before my 50th birthday. In February of this year, I ran my first 1/2 marathon. In a couple of weeks, I’ll run my second 1/2, and in 90 days, I’ll run the NYC Marathon.</i><p></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglWtAymmInBy2k90v_re10WPYUmqzYHodTinfvG_lr0sdqPRbmX2AD5a4sXHLYk7h97l6zL8azGqKHYYyUCwfoFoJ8DFFVVmyFtFFIpSyD5Ytwe9ehTDr6ZpRW5vX9Dzk2QEKoiefhjCYcX5fvtu3EPjxjxiPYVEv6v28K7PDB9GjjC8eiw/s2016/DAVID%20E-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglWtAymmInBy2k90v_re10WPYUmqzYHodTinfvG_lr0sdqPRbmX2AD5a4sXHLYk7h97l6zL8azGqKHYYyUCwfoFoJ8DFFVVmyFtFFIpSyD5Ytwe9ehTDr6ZpRW5vX9Dzk2QEKoiefhjCYcX5fvtu3EPjxjxiPYVEv6v28K7PDB9GjjC8eiw/s320/DAVID%20E-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><i style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? </span></b>My clotting event happened on October 13th, 2018. I was in the middle of my tennis season and had a doubles match early that morning. I felt really tired after we had finished warm-ups. That felt strange. I was in decent tennis shape and was perfectly capable of playing long matches. I felt as if I just played for a couple of hours, even though we just warmed up for 10 minutes. Near the end of the second set, I couldn’t seem to get my feet moving. I would take a few steps and I was done with the point. I was having trouble catching my breath and I couldn’t take a deep breath. We finished the match and I told my partner that something wasn’t right. I said I was going home and going back to bed. </i><p></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>When I got home, I could barely make it up the stairs. I told my wife that I just needed to rest and promised that if I didn’t feel better the following morning, I’d go to the hospital. Surely enough, the following morning I found myself in the emergency room, telling intake that I thought I was in the early stages of a heart attack. A number of symptoms seemed to line up with it, except I didn’t have any shooting pain down my arm. No pain really. Just fatigued during movement. After a chest scan, it was determined that I had a sub-massive pulmonary embolism in my right lung and was immediately admitted to the hospital. My wife, a pharmaceutical and device defense lawyer, was very fearful knowing how dangerous this was. I on the other hand, didn’t have a clue. If it wasn’t for her vigilance and fierce advocacy for me, I’m unsure how it would have gone for me. When the pulmonologist came and saw me for the first time, he said he expected to see someone in a lot worse condition, based on my scans. That’s when it really hit me how much danger I was really in. After a few days in the hospital, I was discharged with a prescription for Eliquis, told to rest, and schedule to see a hematologist. That was about it. Something most of us can relate to. I did what I was told, and was back on my feet after about a month, taking everything slow.<u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">When were you able to return to activity? </span></b>I was able to get back on the tennis court after about three months. I started working with a coach doing 30 minute sessions just to regain my fitness. It was really important to start slowly, take extra breaks and build it back up step by step. It’s really easy in your mind to think you can just go back out and pick up right where you left off. However, our bodies aren’t built that way. We de-condition pretty quickly after a trauma like PE. Along with our body, we have to re-condition our minds as well. We have to tell ourselves that it’s a long process and it doesn’t happen overnight. Also, that it’s OK to have bad days while trying to put the work in. I always try to remember that “failing forward”, even repeatedly, builds to something great.<u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>After about five months from my diagnosis, I felt 100% back to my “new normal”. A month later, I was told I could come off Eliquis. I told my hematologist that because I wasn’t a bleeder, even after taking all the skin off my knee when I slipped and fell a couple month prior, that I was going to stay on anti-coagulation for probably life because my PE was unprovoked and I preferred the peace of mind I had being on them. <u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? </span></b>I can’t come up with just one favorite piece of running gear as they all play a vital part of helping me turn the doorknob and going for a run. In a short time, I have become a running shoe “geek”. I have over 20 pairs. Different shoes for different specialized runs. I will say that I enjoy putting on the Stop the Clot Polka Clots shirt when I run my races. It’s always great hearing folks cheer for you when they see and mention the shirt and the cause. I’m always happy and filled with gratitude when I’m able to run in it!<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9SUdUPrZobWyXJwOhI6a8FT32kV3q5DQxEYZ_TwJJOlUc001L-QWaedD3Gp_m4elOusrTEhgZVB4ersVbdFigJWLF5x8mfQBjGMzOd9JA-BR96WUr8mtrewzvZzXa7wF05o74eeFoggIyji69eQLd4-tAd3RYzXTZ835Fs4KIRRJczh6mg/s1280/DAVID%20E-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9SUdUPrZobWyXJwOhI6a8FT32kV3q5DQxEYZ_TwJJOlUc001L-QWaedD3Gp_m4elOusrTEhgZVB4ersVbdFigJWLF5x8mfQBjGMzOd9JA-BR96WUr8mtrewzvZzXa7wF05o74eeFoggIyji69eQLd4-tAd3RYzXTZ835Fs4KIRRJczh6mg/s320/DAVID%20E-3.jpg" width="229" /></a></span></div><i style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: red;">How much are you getting out doing your sport?</span></b><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b> </span>As far as my training, I go for a run outside or on the treadmill 5-6 days a week, averaging 20+ miles. Most of my runs are slow as I try to keep my heart rate below 90% of my max. I try to mix in some body weight strength work and have recently started going to get a 50 minute assisted stretch once a week as I train for the marathon.</i><p></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;"><b>What is your favorite food? </b></span></span>My diet has been an essential part of my training and has allowed me to go from 340lbs to my current 285. I haven’t given up on too much, I just have made some small tweaks to what I eat most days, such as switching to almond milk and not eating breads at every meal. Also, having a salad for lunch instead of a sandwich. I have cut down on my wine consumption, which has also led to cutting down on the cheese and crackers that are surely to coincide. Moderation is key.<u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>For my running- I have a coffee, a piece of peanut butter toast, and a FairLife protein shake to start my day, followed by another post-run shake. I personally have found that peanut butter has been a great fuel that gives me long energy throughout my run.<u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?</span></b> As a wine lover who grew up just south of Napa and Sonoma valleys, I would love to travel to other famous wine growing regions like the Loire Valley in France, Williamette Valley in Oregon, Tuscany, and along the Mosel river in Germany. I’d really have to earn my wine with some long runs!<u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b style="color: black;"><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica;"><i>What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours? How can people return to do what they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after</i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>I want those who’ve been recently diagnosed with a clot to know that you are not alone and there is a big network of support through the National Blood Clot Alliance. It’s difficult for family and friends to understand your daily struggles with dvt/PE/vte if they haven’t gone through it. We are here for you. You can find us on a daily basis on Facebook, Blood Clot Support-Team Stop the Clot. There are other groups as well- Running after a Pulmonary Embolism, Embolism to Exercise, and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness to name a few. <u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>My one piece of advice is to always listen to your body and don’t delay seeking help it’s telling you something is wrong.<u></u><u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>My mantra- The devil whispered in my ear, “You can’t handle the storm”. I whispered back, “I AM THE STORM!”</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yes Sir!!! YOU ARE THE STORM! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So proud to read about your progress and the impact that it has had in your life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Can't wait to see you throw down in the NYC Marathon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For sure I will have a glass of wine at the ready to celebrate YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica;"><b>BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thank you for reading,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Clot Buster</span></p></div>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-38295331489847722112022-07-08T12:21:00.004-07:002022-07-08T12:21:50.438-07:00July Athlete of the Month<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Summer keeps rolling along...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are you enjoying the time in the sun? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I very much do as much as I can as this is my favorite time of the year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The inspiration to get out and enjoy everything I can outside comes from many different sources... the sun and the warm weather + the need to move and train + knowing that Blood Clot Survivors are out there doing incredible things + being part of the preparations for <b><span style="color: red;">@TeamStopTheClot</span></b> as the team is getting together to tackle the upcoming NYC Marathon... All of it gets me energized to see how much more I can push while wearing the <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamStopTheClot polka-dots.</span></b></span></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqnL8Bt-GLdBwKAeTD_X1mHsz3AsERNISrNDU4WBJShDiudUqtxn7bEYwAw2Ls4E_ZfeMoB9lm-2eQf4-bAdHiJQZQsBx-OWJF0z5cKuMKUU4qGibuJaLEFzE8WhfqxBSNylzSxG7fvUj8hlHANoY4avxER-fC2mdE8tKYPh8ou0p7m8i5Q/s722/west%20milton%20triathlon1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqnL8Bt-GLdBwKAeTD_X1mHsz3AsERNISrNDU4WBJShDiudUqtxn7bEYwAw2Ls4E_ZfeMoB9lm-2eQf4-bAdHiJQZQsBx-OWJF0z5cKuMKUU4qGibuJaLEFzE8WhfqxBSNylzSxG7fvUj8hlHANoY4avxER-fC2mdE8tKYPh8ou0p7m8i5Q/s320/west%20milton%20triathlon1A.jpg" width="233" /></span></a></b></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">One race down this summer and I placed 4th overall while Kayaking, Running and Cycling... I have a few races to go this summer still with my eyes on a marathon... Unfortunately not the NYC Marathon this year but instead the <a href="https://www.marinemarathon.com/" target="_blank">Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC</a>. This one seems like another unique experience so my wife and I are going to give it a go... I don't think I am ready for the punishment of a marathon yet but we are starting our build up so we will see how this one goes... Realistically I think that I may have a couple of marathons left in me. This one in October and perhaps one more if I ever attempt a full iron-distance triathlon which is still one of my bucket list items to achieve. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I could not do this without the <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVOR CAN DO ANYTHING POWER</span></b>... As the orders of polka-dot gear keep heading out all over the USA, to the UK, and Canada I get to meet more and more survivors who are overcoming massive blood clotting incidents and their stories are truly fascinating... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For this month we have a gift of a personal experience story that is very much worth sharing and reading. Thank you <b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">JOANNA</span></b> for sharing your story! There is no question that it is going to make difference with someone who is looking to overcome and get back doing what they enjoy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Read on...</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>It’s been two years since massive blood clots in my lungs nearly took my life. The first week in December 2019 was a typical week for me, including flights to see clients in Miami, NYC and DC. Then I flew from my home in NYC to Seattle to be with my family for the holidays. I arrived a few days early, as I needed to have an abdominal surgery that was supposed to be straightforward and recovery was to be a few days on the couch watching holiday movies with my family. Instead, I ended up in the ICU fighting for my life. I woke up a few days after my surgery with a very intense calf cramp, and what we now know was a DVT. But my leg was not hot, red or swollen, so I did not initially think it was a blood clot. I got up to move around, hoping the cramp would go away. But by the time I got downstairs, I could not breathe and my heart was racing. At the ER, they did an emergency CT scan and told me I was being admitted to the ICU as I had three massive pulmonary emboli, occluding three of my four pulmonary arteries. Because of my recent surgery, I was not a candidate for some of the interventions they may have otherwise considered. It was terrifying to struggle so much just to breathe, even on oxygen. And it was all so confusing and surreal. I didn’t understand what was happening, and was so shocked by the suddenness of it all. A few hours after I got out of the hospital, the oxygen provider arrived at my parent’s house to install an oxygen compressor and tanks throughout the house with a long hose. I couldn’t walk for more than a few feet without gasping for air. I remember watching these tanks being brought into the house and just wanting to cry. But I couldn’t cry because that would mean I couldn’t breathe. So instead, I tried to use the little energy I had to research and try to figure out how to heal as fast as possible so I could get back to my life. I had no idea what a health recovery journey would lie before me.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QiIiVRyzpQyD5dCI2lPKXO5U-FIy-YUoFaswkliQIB-9CCEVlg35gDrp220A4tdIHom2E7pUpEp0vJyLqPyFO6XyladOGhq61xEaXOCq3ab5X5gQx0Y0cFkESk7h1hT1PMcpIeucQt3lnUEs97USjk2ivr00VZ5mwcNLks7joJ8C9SlO3w/s224/JOANNA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="121" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QiIiVRyzpQyD5dCI2lPKXO5U-FIy-YUoFaswkliQIB-9CCEVlg35gDrp220A4tdIHom2E7pUpEp0vJyLqPyFO6XyladOGhq61xEaXOCq3ab5X5gQx0Y0cFkESk7h1hT1PMcpIeucQt3lnUEs97USjk2ivr00VZ5mwcNLks7joJ8C9SlO3w/s1600/JOANNA1.jpg" width="121" /></a></span></div><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">I am so grateful to be a survivor. It’s an unbelievable miracle to have your life saved by a team of medical professionals and medications. I intentionally savor my days, and do not take them for granted. Even though I no longer recognize my life and have had incredible health challenges to overcome. The embolisms caused damage and trauma to my lungs, heart and brain. And has led to a cascade of new health challenges impacting nearly all of my systems. I now see 20+ health practitioners on a regular basis, and much of my time is dedicated to a robust health and wellness routine. In fact, I now say that wellness is my way of life. Every day (even the hard ones) feels like a bonus, and I ensure it’s a day that is lived well and filled with beautiful moments in between the challenges.</i><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in;"><i style="font-family: verdana;">My previously fast paced life has slowed significantly. I now make space for painting, meditating, things that make me laugh, beauty, nature, naps, nourishing food and daily walks. Last year I was on oxygen for four months, struggling to walk even a few steps. But every day I added a minute to my walk. Eventually I could walk for 60 minutes, but only made it half a mile. And then I started getting stronger and walking faster. I started doing virtual walking challenges like the 124 mile Ring of Kerry and the 482 mile Camino de Santiago, 3-4 miles a day over the course of months. I was surprised that I found the challenges with the medal on completion so motivating! As a friend said to me, “After what you’ve been through, you deserve some medals!” </i></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><u></u></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85EosVcXmXFkSYDL7eD2KApjfRYJ1ktpGi93Wzmmj0RPozadYH4lfvxNder2YBAK5uSUs9y7KbLQJn3D47bbY2Vw3iAxsGhd9centGiH4LVvM4ySVx6q22_ASLDOVhgxLM95XiPnbNh5HKSNd8e9pujd8lcu_zaDD4v1J2WLogx8Jw2nGpQ/s960/JOANNA2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="554" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85EosVcXmXFkSYDL7eD2KApjfRYJ1ktpGi93Wzmmj0RPozadYH4lfvxNder2YBAK5uSUs9y7KbLQJn3D47bbY2Vw3iAxsGhd9centGiH4LVvM4ySVx6q22_ASLDOVhgxLM95XiPnbNh5HKSNd8e9pujd8lcu_zaDD4v1J2WLogx8Jw2nGpQ/s320/JOANNA2.jpg" width="185" /></a></i></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><u></u> <u></u></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I wanted to challenge myself, and so decided in November of 2021 to join Team Stop the Clot and walk the virtual NYC marathon in San Diego (where I am now living). I enjoyed every minute of it - pacing myself and taking care of myself along the way, enjoying the beautiful scenery in San Diego and the connection to my beloved NYC, full of gratitude for the love and support of my family and friends who walked segments with me. And it was remarkable to see myself as a strong athlete, a marathoner with the endurance to walk for 26.2 miles in a day rather than as just a weak and vulnerable patient struggling to survive.<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> <u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>On my clotiversary, I look back in amazement and immense gratitude at how far I have come. And on this second clotiversary, I am actually now able to look forward with hope and vision for a future (including another marathon!) as I continue to walk in wellness. <u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><u></u> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">NEVER STOP GOING FORWARD JOANNA! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana;"><b>BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For sure you deserve all of the medals you can earn as you keep on walking. You make us all proud and hopeful that anyone can overcome anything.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am very much inspired... I hope you are as well.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for reading,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Clot Buster</span></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-91400011809742487372022-06-08T16:01:00.003-07:002022-06-08T16:01:52.179-07:00June Athlete of the Month<p>HAPPY JUNE EVERYONE!</p><p>Let the sun and warmth push you outside.</p><p>These days I am outside as much as I can... I feel pretty energized this time of the year.</p><p>The training is picking up and my time in the <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots</span></b> is very much increasing both training and racing. Let's see how my body is able to hold up... you know my mind wants to go but the body has some limitations. Certainly my recovery takes a bit longer and the aches are coming up in places in which I did not have them before. But I am making adjustments so let's how those will work out. </p><p>You know that this movement of spreading awareness about blood clots and blood clotting disorders expands beyond the USA. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to be in touch with folks from many parts of the world. It is very cool to hear from people in Europe, South America, Australia, and even Asia. It is truly a blessing to be able to have this sort of relationships.</p><p>This month's Athlete of the Month comes to us from the UK!</p><p>Please allow me to introduce <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Mr. TONY</b></span>. </p><p>You just never know who will cross path with along the way. Quality inspiration is for sure available across the Atlantic Ocean. You will want to read this post because it is a good one!</p><p>THANK YOU Tony for sharing your story which for sure is going to make a difference for someone who will need it down the road.</p><p>Read on and get inspired!</p><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-GB"><i><b><span style="color: red;">What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? </span></b><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i>My current activity of choice is running
which I love. Always start my runs at a slow pace, even it feels slow I slow it
even further until my breathing adjusts then just relax and enjoy it. I prefer
outdoor runs and just love the awesome feeling when I'm cruising along at a
steady pace with my breathing deep regular and smooth allowing any worry and
concerns to clear and simply enjoy every moment.</i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;"><b><i>How did you get started in that sport?</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><i>I was a competitive cyclist from 12
years old until 22 years old until an inherited form of arthritis, Ankylosing
Spondylitis (AS) stopped me in my tracks. It had gotten to the point that my
back was quite literally seizing in position on the bike and would take a
considerable time until I was able to stand upright after climbing or
occasionally falling off the bike. Effectively I couldn't train anymore so my
performances dipped drastically and my realistic dreams of riding
professionally were utterly shattered. The AS continued to flare up over the
following 8-10 years but I was able to return to non competitive cycling and
coaching by my early thirties. I had a custom built frame that effectively
reduced the length of the top tube and increased the handle bar height which
significantly increased comfort but meant I was a mobile wind breaker, great
for other riders to draft behind but no longer competitive.</i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i>I always enjoyed running as a form of
cross training during my racing days and ran 2-3 times a week, usually 5 milers
with a local running club in the off season winter months for cross training. I
was tempted into a couple of marathon events as for some odd reason the AS
didn't cause me much discomfort running and found that my airobic fitness transferred
across pretty well, recording a 3:13 on my first attempt having started
conservatively and running 1:25 for last half !! Paced it better the following
year recording a 2:25.</i></p><p class="MsoPlainText"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeznPOWpYLuDRlB-JhjDJ2-rsvVJ6nSkQBD2z4OtHjV_2krf3QtgG8fRHlt_YoV7a2_p8q9WbTesWVl2rYSr3037bopgSMrd4aFJi3JLwx23AsM16Bd36EsM1yj26s2xP4A5ZU6T7YXRs7Kkh0pRZCD_4FPl_4BxB9kNjOkh3XE2JtVdlOw/s4608/TONY%20ANDERSON1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeznPOWpYLuDRlB-JhjDJ2-rsvVJ6nSkQBD2z4OtHjV_2krf3QtgG8fRHlt_YoV7a2_p8q9WbTesWVl2rYSr3037bopgSMrd4aFJi3JLwx23AsM16Bd36EsM1yj26s2xP4A5ZU6T7YXRs7Kkh0pRZCD_4FPl_4BxB9kNjOkh3XE2JtVdlOw/s320/TONY%20ANDERSON1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?</i></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i>Post clots I've stopped cycling as I
experienced so many close passes from motorists in my cycling days including
plowing head first through a hedge to avoid an on coming car on the wrong side
of the road that I consider the risks to far outweigh the benefits due to the
high risk of internal bleeds on anticoagulants. Running is now my main choice
and I'm pleased to say I don't miss cycling as much as I expected too as I get
a similar satisfaction pushing myself and enjoying the rewards especially that
sense of oneness mentioned earlier. I've far exceeded my expectations during
recovery but the competitor in me is never far from the surface, current aim is
nothing at all to do with pace except for trying to keep it slow and steady as
I'm intending to test the water a little up to the end of June this year before
committing to run the David Goggins 4*4*48 challenge, 4 miles every 4hrs for
48hrs to coincide with World Thrombosis Day this October to raise as much awareness
as possible. Being in the UK I'll switch between my extremely eye catching
'Stop the Clot' singlet and Thrombosis UK one raising funds for Thrombosis UK.</i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>Tells about your clotting episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?</i></span></b></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><i>2 Sub Massive Bilateral Straddle PE's
with infarcts in both sides, July 2015 and Nov 2017.</i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span>Recovery from the first incident was
only partial, started by increasing short walks every 60-90 waking minutes to
keep moving to increasingly longer walks, then introduced walk/run intervals
using my Garmin watch to keep in Zone 2 before eventualy getting back to
continual runs up to 10 mile. Once I came off the anticoags after 7 months I
did make use of local shared use cycle paths but found lack of fitness
frustrating. Improvements seemed to stall at around 12 min/mile pace which is
clearly well short of pre PE levels. I also returned to regular works outs in
local gym about the same time I introduced the walk/run intervals for variety
with CV being the prime focus, which was 2 weeks after leaving hospital. I
probably pushed too hard to begin with, all CV activities were kept to no more
than 70% but I woke one morning with both myself and all the bedding covered in
deep red blood I must of coughed up whilst sleeping. Needless to say I spoke to
GP and backed off a little but was soon back on it.</i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i>Pleased to say I learnt my lessons from
recovery from the first incident and 2nd time round it was more straight
forward. Activity of choice has remained to be running and nearly five years on
I'm still improving and have far exceeded my expectations. For me the key
difference has been that I'm now on daily anticoags (I refuse to say 'lifer',
I'm not a covict !!) and was fortunate to be in a position to hand in my notice
at work and take 6 months out to recover and find more suitable employment. I
had found the previous 2 years to be a battle of will against my former
employer with my need to get up from my desk to move about on a regular basis
which I pig headedly stuck to despite their constant protestations so I was
delighted to hand in my notice. I now work night shifts which unfortunately
prevents me from entering many running events (more later !!) but I no longer
have any employment related anxiety at all as I'm constantly moving about all
shift average 8-12k steps each shift occasionally topping 15K. My recovery
hasn't stalled, over the past year my half marathon time dropped from 2:34 to
1:26 simply by gently pushing to run inside my previous best average pace every
4 to 6 weeks. Current focus has switch to distance rather than time and pace
but I'm looking forward to ripping one again soon and seeing what I can do.</i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? </i></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-GB"><i>Favorite gear without any shadow of a
doubt is my Garmin watch, personally I tracking heart rate is excellent way to
ensure I am not over doing it, helps tremendously with pacing and is an
excellent way to manage improvement. Conditions and courses vary but average
pace/time against average heart rate is an enlighting metric. I'm not a slave
to my Garmin, most runs are by feel alone for pure enjoyment but the occasional
blast does satisfy my competitive nature. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span>2nd in line is now my 'Stop the Clot'
singlet, recently received thanks to Roland, excellent communication and prompt
delivery. Love the design and hoping to generate as many chances as possible to
raise awareness whilst wearing it with pride both outside and inside on the
treadmill.</i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i><b><span style="color: red;">How much are you getting out doing your sport?</span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-GB"><i>I tend to run or go to the gym every day
unless my body is literally telling me not too. If I don't exercise most days
then my resting heart rate can drop to 32-36 bpm which means if I'm sat reading
or watching TV for anytime then I will be constantly fighting off falling
asleep even when I'm not in the least bit tired, a walk does help but only
temporarily as it doesn't raise my heart rate enough but 20-30 minutes exercise
at Zone 2 makes the world of difference as my hear rate will usually be 50+
afterwards for a few hours at least allowing me to enjoy a good read without
fighting drooping eyelids !! <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;"><b>What is your favorite food?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span> </i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-GB"><i>This one goes back to my racing days,
simply creamed rice pudding with a spoonful of jam, high slow release carbs
that is easy on the stomach. After a work out it's all about the protein so I
often go for a high protein shake.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?</i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i>In 2010 I tried to cycle the Manali to
Leh highway through the Himilayas in India but after an incident with a petrol
tanker that reversed into me damaging my bike beyond immediate repair on only
my 2nd day on the highway I had to abandon. If it wasn't for the anticoags and
the extreme altitude, it is the highest road in the world you can cycle on at
close to 18,000 feet then I'd love another go !!!</i></p><p class="MsoPlainText"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRD5uR695Bvv-HRgC7ICHyxWy6QwzrzxS0fjowZJf0BnI3MplwqZQUXzTMdWME5XkomZxBmok1fSX4E70kDkuXqWYirC7aTx3yARJv2adExlcWMlVG6z8OCrQKslWHEYTiP3VbnHH_SYNlsR6imPTvIxniqghmcWZQFZFJSmRFDb08GErJw/s2048/TONY%20ANDERSON2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRD5uR695Bvv-HRgC7ICHyxWy6QwzrzxS0fjowZJf0BnI3MplwqZQUXzTMdWME5XkomZxBmok1fSX4E70kDkuXqWYirC7aTx3yARJv2adExlcWMlVG6z8OCrQKslWHEYTiP3VbnHH_SYNlsR6imPTvIxniqghmcWZQFZFJSmRFDb08GErJw/s320/TONY%20ANDERSON2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4OT2LYxmr9SwHT6-R5p2vYOndBiaojO0ONOG1-n47KpnvFP2Y1nAdYvfBxhxBDoXfbBkUUqA89EAoZxM3XaEcyYAtlq60nMuaq5TG07PP_26VDRSr4zjXeEMMu0jP7q4Uat5HOdd0Vjfp6PzoijLmeey2K3yL0NZi-5yFpzmCyemQvdI1A/s2048/TONY%20ANDERSON3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4OT2LYxmr9SwHT6-R5p2vYOndBiaojO0ONOG1-n47KpnvFP2Y1nAdYvfBxhxBDoXfbBkUUqA89EAoZxM3XaEcyYAtlq60nMuaq5TG07PP_26VDRSr4zjXeEMMu0jP7q4Uat5HOdd0Vjfp6PzoijLmeey2K3yL0NZi-5yFpzmCyemQvdI1A/s320/TONY%20ANDERSON3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting
episode, perhaps very similar to yours?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How can people return to do what they enjoy? Tells about your
concerns and what you look out after</i></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i>I'm a very positive character and try not
too be concerned about further clots, impossible I know but at least it's very
manageable. I've reasoned that I didn't fight my way back from the days in
hospital dependent on oxygen to breathe and not being able to leave a hospital
bed without it to spend anymore time than absolutely necessary worrying about
it, life is far to precious for that. I keep active, hydrated and manage my
weight and fitness to minimize the risk and improve chances of future recovery
and keep active in the numerous online groups to stay abreast of any new
medical information or treatments but more importantly I try to share my own
experience of recovery to try and inspire others.</i></p><p class="MsoPlainText">For sure I am rooting for Tony to get back on the road for his cycling adventure.</p><p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</span></b> You have made an incredible recovery and you are making remarkable improvements in your fitness. There is no question that you will be completing some incredible achievements along the way. </p><p class="MsoPlainText">NEVER STOP GOING FOWARD! </p><p class="MsoPlainText">Thank you for reading,</p><p class="MsoPlainText">The Clot Buster</p><p></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-81219754763057688692022-05-06T19:42:00.002-07:002022-05-06T19:42:26.770-07:00May Athlete of the Month<p><span style="color: #313131; font-family: helvetica;">Getting to do this blog since 2008 has been one of the coolest thing I have ever done.</span></p><p><span style="color: #313131; font-family: helvetica;">Getting the opportunity to meet Blood Clot Survivors in person and virtually continues to be an outstanding experience that I very much appreciate and enjoy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Getting inspired by these stories is an incredible gift.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Over the weekend while traveling to Oregon I got the incredible fortune to meet up with the "OG" Blood Clot Survivor on this blog <a href="https://clot-buster-triathlete.blogspot.com/2008/06/june-2008-clot-buster-athlete-of-month.html" target="_blank">Cheryl</a> who I featured back in 2008. It was wonderful to get the chance to catch up and feel the energy that this survivor continues to have despite facing some devasting adversities over the years. I came away from Oregon supercharged and ready to keep going because every story of overcoming the challenges of blood clots matters. It matters to celebrate the survivors but it also matters to give hope and inspiration to others who are just starting their journey to overcome their very own blood clotting incident.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As the path forward continues to wind around at every turn I am ready to engage with someone new who was a story to tell... Please allow me to introduce to you Lisa. She has been generous enough to share her story of overcoming her own battle with a clotting incident. Lisa will supercharge you because she is a perfect reflection of <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING! </span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There is such a thing as <b><span style="color: red;">Blood Clot Survivor INSPIRATION POWER</span></b>... This inspiration power has help me overcome some dark places in training and racing. There is NO question in my mind that after you read Lisa's story you will be ready to take on anything.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Please read on = </span></p><p><span style="color: #313131; font-family: helvetica;"><i>What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b style="color: blue;">My main sport has been running since I was about 9 years old, (I'll be 50 in July) </b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="color: blue;"><b>but I also love road cycling, mountain biking, and hiking.</b></span></span> <span style="color: blue;"><b>I started something called Eat The Frog Fitness right before my blood clot and bilateral pulmonary </b></span><b style="color: blue;">embolism and I've really been getting into that H.I.I.T training, strength training and range of motions/agility exercises. One thing I am trying to do post-clots is become a more well-rounded </b><b style="color: blue;">fit person, not only with strong legs and heart, but also gain flexibility, balance etc... and these classes are helping a lot.</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOD3s2E9BL9GYBJqbha8rAjv4uF_Ntio33csJRD-6pt9g9X5S33KRfCknPbgCoJq1lrY5cgVLargQ1ioBLOJtVsUR5G6kRYLuniJk3cZzTf3iyY2m6ghlyWINf4NhqmQ1buLtoz2GaKSQp4VSGK_BPNqlkXNVG6tecyE_y_Ch2nYvAYdySg/s2048/lisa-hanard-polka-dots.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOD3s2E9BL9GYBJqbha8rAjv4uF_Ntio33csJRD-6pt9g9X5S33KRfCknPbgCoJq1lrY5cgVLargQ1ioBLOJtVsUR5G6kRYLuniJk3cZzTf3iyY2m6ghlyWINf4NhqmQ1buLtoz2GaKSQp4VSGK_BPNqlkXNVG6tecyE_y_Ch2nYvAYdySg/s320/lisa-hanard-polka-dots.jpeg" width="296" /></a></i></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #313131; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>How did you get started in that sport? </i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: blue;"><i>I started running 10k races in the early 80's with my dad and did varsity track and cross country in high school. I got into triathlon and cycling when I was about 20, </i></b><b style="color: blue;"><i>but since I detest swimming it didn't stick :) </i></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #313131; font-family: helvetica;"><i>What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>D</b></span><b><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">e</span><span style="color: blue;">cember 2021, about 3.5 months post clot I did the Scottsdale Half Marathon </span></span></b><span style="color: blue;"><b>with the finish time that I wanted. It was not a personal best but within 10 minutes of my "good times" so I was super happy. </b></span><span style="color: #313131;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><b>April 30th, 2022 I just completed my first 50+ road bike ride since the clot and PE's </b></span><b style="color: blue;">and got to wear my polka dots which arrived in the mail the day before.</b></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #313131;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? </i></span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">I had a dvt blood clot and bilateral pulmonary embolism in August. I'm 49 and in good shape so when I felt my calf was sore and swollen </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: blue;">I figured it was either my HIIT class workout Friday night, my 3 mile run with my dog, Saturday morning or mountain biking Saturday afternoon.</span></i></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">I had done all 3 things within a 20 hour time-frame. I thought blood clots were only something elderly or sedentary people got so I had no idea even to think that might be the cause. </span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">I was super dizzy and out of breathe on the mtn bike ride, my friend had to carry my mtn bike up the side of a hill so we could ride the road the last 3 miles back to my dads house.</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">I figured I was just dehydrated from my run before then. </span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">I had a half marathon one week later, flying from AZ to Oregon to race. So </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: blue;">I totally rested my leg for 6 days and did nothing. The swelling went down a lot.</span></i></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">I hiked a little the day before the race and my calf was still a little sore. I wore compression calf sleeves and got through the Half Marathon, disappointed</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;"> in how slow I had done and how easily out of breathe I got. I attributed it to a hilly course. It was a lovely race, Bridge of The Gods and goes from Oregon to Washington.</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">I flew home the next day and my leg was getting more and more swollen even without exercising. 4 days later I was hobbling around my office, and was kept up at night form the pain,</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">so I slept on the recliner in the living room and decided I better go to the doctor. <br /></span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">Since my doctor was booked up for weeks due to Covid, I decided to make an appt at Urgent Care and drop by after work.</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">When I got there the doctor told me I needed to go to ER for an Ultrasound. I had superficial thrombosis on my left inner thigh the day I flew home, but it didn't hurt. It</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">looked like I had 2 small mosquito bites on my inner thigh. I had superficial thrombosis in my arm twice twice before when donating blood, and the doctor had put me on antibiotics,</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;"> so I was not concerned about it was that combined with my symptoms that made the Urgent Care physician tell me I needed to go to ER.</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b><span style="color: blue;">When I got to the ER they found the DVT in my left calf and did the CAT scan with the dye to find the bilateral pulmonary embolism.</span></b><br /></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">I wasn't really out of Commission for more then a couple days. I got home from the hospital, deep cleaned my house and was walking the dogs a couple days later.</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">I will be on blood thinners for life (Eliquis) since I am heterozygous Leiden Factor V. I was really disappointed when I heard that and saw a second hematologist and got the same answer.</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">So I decided to do the things I love (road cycling and mountain biking) and just be as careful as possible. I am stil</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: blue;">l trying to decide if I feel safe enough to motorcycle again. </span></i></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">My Ninja motorcycle is getting dusty in the garage.</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #313131; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #313131; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time? </i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><i><span style="color: blue;">I spend 2 days in the ER to get the blood thinners into my system and was able to get into my primary care doc </span></i></b><b style="background-color: transparent;"><i><span style="color: blue;">a week later. He told me I could run, exercise etc... but to take it a little easy the first month. So I was able to run a week later though I was super anxious and paranoid about every single ache and pain.</span></i></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #313131;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #313131;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? </i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;">I LOVE my new women's cycling polka dot jersey and can't wait to wear my sleeveless running singlet at a 5k race in a couple weeks!</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="color: #757575; font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="color: #757575; font-family: helvetica;"><i>How much are you getting out doing your sport? </i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><b>In January I started a body fat loss challenge and amped up my exercise. </b></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="color: blue;"><b>It was only 8 weeks but I lost 9 pounds and gained muscle so I've </b></span></span><b style="color: blue;">been keeping it up. I exercise 6 days a week, running a couple days a week, </b><span style="color: blue;"><b>my</b></span> <b style="color: blue;">Eat the Frog Classes about 4 times a week, bike when I can squeeze it in, and lift weights at lunch a couple days a week.</b></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="color: #757575; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="color: #757575; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>What is your favorite food? </i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: blue;">My favorite "naughty treat" is french fries. Maybe I need salt after a hard workout </b><b><span style="color: blue;">but salty french fries are so good. I'm usually good though and have a protein shake.</span></b></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #757575;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? </i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica;"><i>My bucket list places I want to go are Alaska and Costa Rica</i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #757575;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #757575;">What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours? How can people return to </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #757575;">do what they enjoy? </span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: blue;"><b>What I think is most important is to realize that while we all went through similar experiences, everybody's story is different. </b></span><span style="color: blue;"><b>Everyone's recovery is different. And everyone's timeline is different. </b></span><b><span style="color: blue;">I had not realized until I read others stories on the National Blood Clot Alliance site how lucky I was/am. </span></b><b><span style="color: blue;">I think we all need to know to love ourselves and work forward but to be easy on ourselves too. </span></b><b><span style="color: blue;">We have to find doctors we trust and sometimes it's not the first doctor we get. I had to find a second hematologist that was better at listening and explaining things. She answers </span></b><b><span style="color: blue;">questions I didn't know I had before I can ask them. And this is the hard part for me, that I am still working on. Learn to trust yourself on how you feel. </span></b><b><span style="color: blue;">Because I ran a half marathon race and didn't know I had blood clots, I am trying to find a balance between explaining away every ache and pain and becoming a hypochondriac.</span></b></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span>With time there is not question that you will find that balance Lisa. This is a new journey for you in which you WILL overcome and be the best that you can be in the end.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Anytime you want share on a basket of fires I AM IN! </span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But learning to trust yourself is a critical part of this journey where past experiences can be a guiding light to overcome what you presently feeling and thereafter be able to continue on.</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">May your journey take you where you want to go and keep wearing the <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots </span></b>PROUDLY!!!</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thank you for reading,</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Clot Buster</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div class="gmail_quote" dir="auto"><div><b><i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></b></div></div></div></div>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-80522123963214400712022-04-08T18:46:00.001-07:002022-04-09T08:49:42.082-07:00April Athlete of the Month<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">April showers bring May flowers... I mean... April Athlete of the Month Posts bring SUMMER TIME AND BEYOND INSPIRATION!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I say "Summer and Beyond" because <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING</span></b> and the inspiration from their accomplishments can last FOREVER.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Regardless of the background and level of competition/intensity every story of overcoming the challenges of blood clots keeps you going. It shows us all that YOU CAN do it. Every story of overcoming starts with the first step. Even if it is a tentative and scared firs step it is a step towards getting your "normal" back whatever that normal ends up being. Nobody can take that away from you once you start going. It is not going to be easy but as long as you have your goal insight and you are working towards it nothing else matters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As I am training for the upcoming Eugene Half-Marathon I need to keep the focus. Some training days are better than others. But I am locked in on the goal of getting to the finish line. I don't have a clue how the race will turn out but you can be sure that I will give it my best try. There are several of us that are going to be getting the <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots</span></b> racing in Eugene. Also, I know of at least two Blood Clot Survivor <a href="https://clot-buster-triathlete.blogspot.com/2020/02/february-athlete-of-month.html" target="_blank">MICHAEL - FEBRURY 2020</a> that will be competing in his first Boston Marathon. Also Blood Clot Survivor <a href="https://clot-buster-triathlete.blogspot.com/2022/01/january-athlete-of-month.html" target="_blank">KIM - JANUARY 2022</a>. How about that?!?! I know that Michael has been crushing his training as of late and for sure he will be successful in Boston but I also know that Kim is a speedy runner so she will be throwing down the hammer as well. I can't wait to see how they do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But for the April edition of Athlete of the Month we have a very special individual who is currently holding the reins of the <b><span style="color: red;">STOP THE CLOT</span></b> Sports and Wellness Institute and he is leading the effort for this part of STOP THE CLOT organization to continue to grow and develop. <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>TOM</b></span> is of course a blood clot survivor and we are very thankful for his willingness to share his story so that we can all continue to be inspired to overcome!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Please read on to learn about Tom's story...</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?</i></span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica;"><i>My first love is running, I have been a runner since I was 12. Injuries and my 2 rounds with PEs have led me to take up cycling which I do both outdoors and on a Peloton that I bought 2 months after my PEs in 2020. I love running since I'm competitive but it is also something you can do anywhere in the world with just a pair of running shoes. I've run in many places including crossing the Drake Passage on a treadmill on a ship!</i></span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">How did you get started in that sport? </span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><i>From a young age I was always racing kids in the neighborhood. I went out for the track team in 7th grade as that was the only team 7th graders could join. From there I was hooked!</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /><b><span style="color: red;">What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?</span></b></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><i>My latest achievement on the bike was riding 500 miles in the Blood Clot Awareness Month Charity Fundraiser for the NBCA. My next running goal is the NYC Marathon in November, but I've got to get training.</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? </span></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><i>I've had 2 bouts with PEs, first in 2017 and then in 2020. The first time I had no idea what was wrong with me, I finally had to go to the emergency room after trying and failing to run a mile and then not being able to walk up a flight of stairs. That was hard to deal with, but I eventually started running again, but my Doctors told me I didn't need blood thinners. Then, in 2020, I started having trouble breathing on a run and I knew exactly what it was. Spent 4 days in the hospital, then took a month off. I am on Xarelto now....</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /><b><span style="color: red;">When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time?</span></b><span style="color: #500050;"> </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><i>This time around it was very hard to get back to running since I was out of commission for about 4 months, that's why I got the Peloton which has enabled me to build back endurance and strength which makes it easier to run.</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgF8REu1TqNbqV-9syrk4VhEQpkmRjpoRTjb8u0yTXfm3wRH8HXblaueM1TbDiGVjhq_SjmxLUKWIjIzKxTyYPHQYtMhvJKanB1nloKr245M9NNSomn5PzuUFmbQceQbb1eCUfEMTvvYsJ-5A0p8ONfcxEeCIm47pN9JIaUE6acQAhjVqmA/s1920/Tom%20Buffolano%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1362" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgF8REu1TqNbqV-9syrk4VhEQpkmRjpoRTjb8u0yTXfm3wRH8HXblaueM1TbDiGVjhq_SjmxLUKWIjIzKxTyYPHQYtMhvJKanB1nloKr245M9NNSomn5PzuUFmbQceQbb1eCUfEMTvvYsJ-5A0p8ONfcxEeCIm47pN9JIaUE6acQAhjVqmA/s320/Tom%20Buffolano%201.jpg" width="227" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? </span></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span style="color: #500050;">Running Polka-Dot Technical Shirt...</span><span style="color: black;">My running shoes are the key piece of equipment. I have been running in Asics for about 25 years. Biking, I have a nice carbon fiber Trek Madone.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /><b><span style="color: red;">How much are you getting out doing your sport? </span></b><span style="color: #500050;"> </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Right now I probably exercise 5-6 days a week. I'm out for 45 minutes+ up to 90 minutes either biking or running.</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /><b><span style="color: red;">What is your favorite food?</span></b><span style="color: #500050;"> </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><i>My favorite food is probably pizza. Living in Brooklyn I have lots of choices and we usually like to try as many as we can.</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /><b><span style="color: red;">If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? </span></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><i>I'm fortunate to have been to many places around the world, but I really want to go back to Italy and explore Rome more than we did the last time.</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /><b><span style="color: red;">What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours? How can people return to do what they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after as you returned to action. </span></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The first thing to do before returning is to get clearance from your doctor. In my case I was really concerned about my heart, so I wore a Heart Rate Monitor for a week and everything was normal. I always wear a Heart Rate Monitor when I work out. It gives me a level of comfort that I can track and compare workouts and fitness based upon my HR. I still have PTSD especially when I run, in my local Prospect Park, where I relive my shortness of breath. It happens when I am by myself but running in a race or with others distracts me and I don't dwell on it as much. I will also say that it took me a long time to get back to a reasonable amount of fitness - its been 18+ months and I still have a ways to go to get to where I want to be. But I am able to exercise and I do not compare myself to my pre PE me. I now celebrate my post PE PRs, which gives me the chance to just be happy to be out there d</span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">oing what I love.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Indeed Sir let's CELEBRATE every new milestone.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Here is hoping to see Tom getting after the NYC Marathon in the <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots</span></b> of course! There is no doubt that Tom will be there and crush it. Can't wait to see it all come together.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Never Stop Going Forward.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thank you for reading,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Clot Buster</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p></div>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-14766396049604590752022-03-03T16:01:00.000-08:002022-03-03T16:01:03.238-08:00March Athlete of the Month<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">MARCH IS BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH</span></b></p><p>This is the month in which raising awareness, celebrating blood clot survivors, and remembering those along the way really comes into focus so that we can make an EVEN BIGGER difference.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANTHING! #STOPTHECLOT</span></b></p><p>Blood clot survivors inspire us all every day.</p><p>This month we get the wonderful privilege to read about an incredible individual who is willing to share his story with us. </p><p>Take some time to read this story because it is one that you are going to enjoy.</p><p>I can't wait to see <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>JOHN</b></span> in the <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamStopTheClot polka-dots </span></b>racing along as we celebrate that he is overcoming the challenges of his blood clotting incident. No blood clot is going to stop him!</p><p>Please read on and enjoy...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEeG60ZrggpoidHJvv454B3HymtuDdAhQLMoknP9Uskggr6o6k3gZAtXc-Pcc4BdSq12F3FyhOwyHGvhX0P6zlsWtP8nFhIPP9K24IW2on0isY_nNE45uHfBpF4LL4N8W3ZmyD6kZicz7R23cktxFgbLrsunLDMiqJLGka_uN9ZPfN1-c53Q=s1124" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEeG60ZrggpoidHJvv454B3HymtuDdAhQLMoknP9Uskggr6o6k3gZAtXc-Pcc4BdSq12F3FyhOwyHGvhX0P6zlsWtP8nFhIPP9K24IW2on0isY_nNE45uHfBpF4LL4N8W3ZmyD6kZicz7R23cktxFgbLrsunLDMiqJLGka_uN9ZPfN1-c53Q=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: red;">What
is your sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? </span></span></b></p><p><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;">For
over 40 years my activity of choice is running.
I also love open water swimming and biking the country roadsides. I began running on Jan 3, 1980. I started
with .5 miles and over the coming months and years I’ve completed 45+
marathons, numerous ½ marathons, hundreds of 5 and 10Ks, and a few dozen Sprint
and Olympic triathlons.</span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Running
brings me joy and peace in my body, mind, and spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe in the body, mind, spirit model as
working together for optimal health. Once in the ‘zone’ I can breathe, relax,
and often process life’s challenges. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red;">How
did you get started in that sport? </span></b></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I got
started at the age of 30 after looking in the mirror and understanding what I
saw was not healthy for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
married and my wife and I had six children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Deciding to start running was a plan to regain my health for a future
with my wife and children and now 10 grandchildren. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red;">What
is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?</span></b></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">This
past summer I completed a Sprint and Olympic Triathlon and a ½ marathon. I
placed first in my age group in the Olympic distance and 2<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in my age<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>group in the Sprint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I place 7<sup>th</sup>.
out of 27 in the ½ marathon in my age group. (*1<sup>st</sup>. place in the
triathlon should be noted that I also came in LAST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was the only participant in my age group of
70 -74!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">One
milestone in my running career was qualifying for and running in the Boston
Marathon in 2005.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red;">Tells about your clotting episode.
Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;">The
Thursday before Thanksgiving 2020 I went out for a 4 mile run. A few hundred yards down the road I
experienced labored breathing and needed to stop to catch my breath. I took a few breaths and started off again. A few more yards and I needed to stop and
walk again. Then I bent over and
observed that my right ankle and calf were extremely swollen and tight as a
drum. I thought, ‘Well, this is a no
brainer. This needs a doctor’s
attention, NOW!’</span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I
was not able to jog back to my house so I walked as quickly as I could and
phoned my doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found out from the
office that my doctor is not in on Thursdays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(wouldn’t you know it!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
office advised me to head straight to the Emergency room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">As
my wife had an appointment within the hour, I decided to drive myself to the
Emergency room housed in the Ohio Health medical facility a few miles from my
house. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(*note: People should <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NOT </b>drive themselves to the Emergency
Room!)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Upon
arrival to the Emergency waiting room filled with patients waiting to be seen
with possible Covid, I checked in and sat a far distance down the hallway to
avoid the coughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In about 15 minutes
I was seen by a triage nurse who immediately put me at the front of the line
for being seen by a doctor/s. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Within
an hour I had an ultra-sound finding a DVT in my right leg and a CT scan
finding multiple ( whatever that means)clots in all quadrants of my lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon I was on an IV drip of Heparin.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">The
Emergency Room doctor and PA shared with me the serious nature of my condition
and that I was very fortunate to be in the ER and being treated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked what might happen if I wasn’t being
treated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ER doc said, “You’d be
dead.” What a wake-up call that was! <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Informing
my wife, Roseann, of my condition was pretty emotional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve lived well in our 48 years of marriage
and desire to have many more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
incident had the potentiality of changing that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This emotional realization led me to know this event was more than just
a physical challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a serious
health event like PEs bring to the forefront the fact that we are all beings of
body, mind and spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the coming
weeks I came to realize dealing with the emotional impact of a PE and recovery
and healing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">It
was decided to have me transported to a larger hospital across town and to be
admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After calling for transport I
was informed that all the area hospitals were swamped and getting a room in the
desired hospital would take some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
spent the night in a room in the ER and transport was finally arranged the
following morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Once
I arrived at the ER in the hospital I was to wait another 5 hours before a room
was ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ER doctors at this
hospital also wanted to do an echocardiogram of my heart to make sure there was
no collateral damage to my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">So,
long story short… my heart imaging came out with no damage and I was released
the following day with a prescription for Eliquis and orders to have a follow
up with my PCP/Sports doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">In
a few days I had a follow-up appointment and was prescribed walking only the
first week with short swims at my YMCA the second week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My doctor and I consulted closely and we
worked out a 2 month plan resulting in: 25 minute swims 2x a week, running
every other day starting with 2 miles and getting up to 4 miles, periodic free
weight training, and all the walking I could comfortably tolerate. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">When were you able to get back into your
activity? How did it feel that first time? </span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">After
my hospital discharge I had my first follow up with my PCP/Sports doctor within
a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We discussed the seriousness
of my condition and he recommended I walk one mile at a time for the first
week. The plan from there was another follow up 3 weeks later. On my 2<sup>nd</sup>.
follow up visit the plan was to keep the walking and resume swimming but for
only 15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A stationary bike could
be added for 20 minutes the following week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could resume running/jogging 3 weeks after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">So,
basically, over a 7 week period I progressed from walking to swimming to biking
to running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On week 8 I began running a
5K every other day.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">At
first my runs had me constantly monitoring my breathing and pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized getting back into running was not
just a physical activity but a mental one as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The constant monitoring of my breathing and
legs took away from the joys of being back on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, even with the nervous cautions, I was
grateful to be back to on the road allowing my body to move as it had for over
40 years. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I
must include an element of concern in my initial recovery process and back into
activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had not prepared myself for
the mental health component in my recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having had a skirting with the possibility of sudden death, I was having
some concerns for my mental health and how I would ‘recover’ to a state of
confidence in my physical/sport activities.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Up
until my DVT and PE diagnosis I pretty much felt I could do just about anything
I wanted to do: walk anywhere, run anywhere and for hours if I wanted, swim in
a pool, a lake, an ocean, and bike country roads to the horizon.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Now,
there was a lingering caution I had not experienced before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, maybe when I’d swim during a ‘red flag’
in the Gulf of Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was caution
in my mind during that swim!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
lingering caution, I felt was emotional and I classified it as a mental health
issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was I going to have a clot move
and give me a stroke or stop my breathing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I
discussed this ‘mental health’ issue with my doctor and he affirmed, as I
suspected, that it was part of my healing process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our bodies are integrally linked to our minds
and of course to our spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My doctor
said he could recommend a sports psychologist if I thought I needed one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciated that suggestion as it assured
me my doctor didn’t think ‘it was all in my mind’. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Mental
health issues during PE recovery and healing is real and I encourage survivors
to begin talking about it with their doctors if they experience this.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">What
is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?</span> </b></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I’ve
been running in Mizuno shoes for nearly 30 years and will continue with
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t fix what isn’t broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ride the Cannondale CAAD12 and it suits me
just fine at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, a
friend and I had trisuits designed and produced with logos representing our
home town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wear these when we do
triathlons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also recently ordered my <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">STOP the CLOT</b> t-shirt and hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will wear these this coming spring and
summer.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisV_dZwKMmZKPIhSsu9MYRJVuIk_Og-Oph0noymtfv-2lor8igvhcX8KHkKcZO6JZ1Ks7ip3AL10CSOGmx-NTQi4FbBlZQhRUed1WVvQTvasT4SD_fejnnNu2e1Q1iqsAp3OzrqDNE389hSlMRPnf4bP7RhaaKR0xt31wvU-GmLp_s7xd2XQ=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisV_dZwKMmZKPIhSsu9MYRJVuIk_Og-Oph0noymtfv-2lor8igvhcX8KHkKcZO6JZ1Ks7ip3AL10CSOGmx-NTQi4FbBlZQhRUed1WVvQTvasT4SD_fejnnNu2e1Q1iqsAp3OzrqDNE389hSlMRPnf4bP7RhaaKR0xt31wvU-GmLp_s7xd2XQ=s320" width="216" /></a></span></i></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14pt;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">How
much are you getting out doing your sport? </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></i><p></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">I’m
out almost every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stationary bike
once a week, swimming twice a week, running 3 times a week, walking daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also do some free weight exercises a couple
times a week.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: red; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">What
is your favorite food? </span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">My
favorite food after a very hot summer long distance run or bike is cold
watermelon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s nothing like cold
watermelon upon returning from a very hot workout.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: red; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If
you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? </b></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">My
two ‘bucket list’ locations are Machu Picchu, Peru and the native land of my
ancestors – Slovenia.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What
would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps
very similar to yours? How can people return to</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: red; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">do
what they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after.</span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">As
I noted above, the surprise I did not expect in my recovery was the ‘mental
health’ component.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think most people
with their doctor will be able to discuss, design and implement a physical
recovery program.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">But,
I’m guessing most people will not be informed or guided about the emotional
component that will spring up unexpectedly. For me this is a part of the body,
mind, spirit recovery/healing process and needs attention just like the
physical body needs attention. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">As
founder of USAHealthNation, I have ,for over a decade, advocated for physically
active people to consider the reality that we are more than our bodies when we
are out on the road or in an organized event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We our body, mind and spirit and each component deserves equal
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><div><br /></div><div>Are you inspired yet? </div><div><br /></div><div>The mental health side of overcoming a clotting incident is certainly something we need to talk more about as it is common amongst all blood clot survivors. Everyone of the posts on this blog has a mention of the fear of the clots happening again and how survivors have been able to overcome the added mental challenge. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have nothing but admiration for those who can continue to move forward and overcome. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading,</div><div><br /></div><div>The Clot Buster</div>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-60009129826910687122022-02-04T13:50:00.000-08:002022-02-04T13:50:36.870-08:00February Athlete of the Month<p>As the snow and ice are coming down with no mercy here in Ohio today I am thinking warm thoughts...</p><p>I think even more warm thoughts when it is time to go outside and face the snow either shoveling or hitting the slopes sledding. Soon enough it will be warm again but for now I embrace the fun with the white stuff and layer up as much as I can.</p><p>But warm thoughts only get me so far when attempting to train... I still the need the <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVOR INSPIRATION POWER... #STOPTHECLOT @TeamSTOPTHECLOT</span></b></p><p>This month's featured athlete sure is bringing some warmth and much needed inspiration to keep us going. </p><p>Thank you to <span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>ALICIA</b></span> for her willingness to share her story. </p><p>Every story is unique which is what I love the most from this effort. Everyone has a different blood clotting incident, different diagnosis, and a different story of returning to action. Every story has a message that someone will find useful to help them with their journey. </p><p>Please read on and find that part of this story that resonates with you and may help you along the way!</p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? </span></b><span style="color: #222222;"><u></u><u></u></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i>Stand-up Paddleboarding and long distance running (really jogging but running sounds better)</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyRe9Kp4-wxzA6a6_e8h1-Vgt5MioasKzE2Iz3LKAx0o_kRHvSmEjE53nWcuD9NkaBrNUNHxg93UmNjNXrgPsIaMDd2nloKsCudqWbP7iyMKNXKxyIbMF1R3CR2Xpvc3wBhE4hbpZntjXenOVeNBwyW2lCDk-VPcsD5EcUT4TgltJ2FfpuLw=s320" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyRe9Kp4-wxzA6a6_e8h1-Vgt5MioasKzE2Iz3LKAx0o_kRHvSmEjE53nWcuD9NkaBrNUNHxg93UmNjNXrgPsIaMDd2nloKsCudqWbP7iyMKNXKxyIbMF1R3CR2Xpvc3wBhE4hbpZntjXenOVeNBwyW2lCDk-VPcsD5EcUT4TgltJ2FfpuLw" width="239" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>How did you get started in that sport?</i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><i>I took a contract job that put me in Hawaii for a year, and in my free time I joined a paddle club and a running club. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"> </span><u></u><u></u></i></p></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?</i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i>Milestones - After my massive clot in April 2021, my milestones have been much smaller than before</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"></span></i></p><ol start="3" style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0in;" type="1"><ol start="1" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px;"><i>October 2021 I jogged for the first time since March<u></u><u></u></i></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px;"><i>November 2021 I jogged a mile for the first time in over a year<u></u><u></u></i></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px;"><i>I have signed up for the Lincoln Nebraska National Guard Half Marathon in May 2022, and my ambitions goal is to complete the half marathon with as little walking as possible</i></li></ol></ol><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"> </span><u></u><u></u></i></p></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?</i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i>Clotting history</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"></span></i></p><ol start="4" style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0in;" type="1"><ol start="1" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px;"><i>I had a many moderate sized Bilateral PE’s in December 2012, seemingly unprovoked. My mother had a similar PE episode 8 years prior. In 2013 both my mother and I, and my Maternal Grandmother were diagnosed with Illiac Compression (May Thurner) Syndrome. A few years later my half sister was also diagnosed, although she managed to avoid any PE’s. All four of us had stents placed in both Illac Veins. <u></u><u></u></i></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px;"><i>While pregnant with my 2nd son, I had a small DVT in my left lower leg that was resolved with Lovanox <u></u><u></u></i></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px;"><i>When my 2nd son was 6 weeks old in March 2021, I pulled a muscle in my back that inflamed all of the muscles in my back and my abdomen. I also had serious waves of spasms that rolled through all of my back muscles. Even walking was excruciating. By April 2021 I was barley walking 50 steps a day. On April 8th, I noticed my left leg was painful and turning purplish - went to the DR and discovered I had a 3 1/2 ft long clot that stretched from my ankle to my Illiac Stents. Important to note, is i was taking subcutaneous Heparin as a clot prophylactic, and still I clotted. I had two surgeries to remove the clot above my knee, and TPA administered to begin dissolving the clot below my knee. The clot was easier to remedy than the back pain (which I am still fighting, a year later)</i></li></ol></ol><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><i><br /></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time?</i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i>My most recent clot occurred we suspect as a direct result of my back pain, not allowing me to walk without extreme pain. After the hospitalization and surgery for the clots, I started a new approach to healing the back pain. The clot was in April. At the time of the clot, my back hurt so bad I couldn’t even pick up my 9 lb son. By June I was able to pick up the baby, and to some extent, I was able to pick up my other son who just turned 2. I was still having waves of spasms though. By September, the last of the spasms had come and gone, and walking was easier. In October I was able to jogg for the first time since April. In November, I jogged 1 mile for the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. I am hoping to begin a whole body workout program in February, to slowly increase strength and stamina. There is a sense of freedom in overcoming a hurdle that I once thought was impossible. </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"> </span><u></u><u></u></i></p></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?</i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i>I have a new pair of shoes that count steps, cadence, distance, and even posture, that I am excited to use and learn from! I am very excited to getting back to running!</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_-5159832421538175306gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><i><br /></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>How much are you getting out doing your sport?</i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i>I expect to be able to run or jogged 2/3 times per week, and in the summer once a week paddle boarding</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDvyqPg2Y9zZV1lv-O1LsK0p88h7mWKe8Z8cFdSmnudhWn1z94HItOxwXn7p0OGrkFTbeiY50wAKSW2NZekvAAGqZnAETCpn0hRltyw3eahd37YS5jm0ZboLnJjQinV3y6hxzFoQ6w6P_pOK-gvgU4uHDzyXUdPzUkwTkcEWltInqvEgfF2Q=s320" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDvyqPg2Y9zZV1lv-O1LsK0p88h7mWKe8Z8cFdSmnudhWn1z94HItOxwXn7p0OGrkFTbeiY50wAKSW2NZekvAAGqZnAETCpn0hRltyw3eahd37YS5jm0ZboLnJjQinV3y6hxzFoQ6w6P_pOK-gvgU4uHDzyXUdPzUkwTkcEWltInqvEgfF2Q" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What is your favorite food?</i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i>Chocolate Milk - I have compared the nutrition on many post workout supplements, and nothing is as easy, or simple, or tasty as a nice cold glass of chocolate milk!, paired with a delicious banana!</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? </i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i>My very first night in Hawaii for my contract job placed me on a hotel on the beach in Kailua-Kona Big Island, HI. My hotel was around mile 20 of the Iron Man Championship - (2+ mile open ocean swim, immediately followed by 112 mile bike ride in the Hawaii desert with little shade, followed immediately by a full 26+ mile Marathon). I have a dream someday of participating and completing this race! Even if i’m the very last competitor that crosses the finish line!</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOJhpN142jcjHfi_TgJXSnwI_Jxs-eFsMGzlUt-OXdlNrhQ0AaSpnA_KeNSnrbb-JwIlzMOWc4KAZityxo09T6E4R1ICIpR87rct1svdxU8aS8YAgIIOtpn065QS-UySIEGaZ44NMDmpQWzEZhq7R2tSHVThsHa55p1iJBpRDwjzjlnmnoUw=s320" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOJhpN142jcjHfi_TgJXSnwI_Jxs-eFsMGzlUt-OXdlNrhQ0AaSpnA_KeNSnrbb-JwIlzMOWc4KAZityxo09T6E4R1ICIpR87rct1svdxU8aS8YAgIIOtpn065QS-UySIEGaZ44NMDmpQWzEZhq7R2tSHVThsHa55p1iJBpRDwjzjlnmnoUw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours? How can people return todo what they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after as you returned to action.</i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><i>Don’t give up, and always be your own advocate! Clots are hard to detect, and hard to treat. I was on a therapeutic dose of subcutaneous Heparin when I had my big clot. All of the physicians I have met with have said the past physical activity I have been involved in served me well during my clots and are testament to why I need to remain active. Set your goals high, and if you have to, measure your accomplishments in baby steps… big steps and baby steps all lead to the same place - finish line!</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">THANK YOU again Alicia for sharing your story!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;">Someday, like you, I would love to compete on the Ironman in Kona. That would be an incredible adventure... Perhaps someday we will get to race that event together in our respective </span><b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER #TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots...! </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">May your return story continue to blossom and you get to complete your upcoming half-marathon without any walking. Never stop going forward until you accomplish your goals. Every step counts! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">Thank you for reading,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">The Clot Buster</p></div>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-11261533816387415922022-01-14T12:26:00.000-08:002022-01-14T12:26:04.251-08:00January Athlete of the Month<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!</span></b></p><p>Here we go 2022 - Who is ready? </p><p>There is not question that it is time to start fresh and see what we can do in this new year. Although it may not seem that way right now WE ARE going to make it and return to some sense of normalcy. We just need to be ALL together in this for the good of the cause.</p><p>Do you have any new year's resolutions? </p><p>I have a very simple one... To wear my <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots</span></b> as much as possible. There are many things that I want to this year so planning is on going now to give the polka-dots a ride that will get them places so that we can spread the word and create awareness about blood clots and blood clot survivors but also celebrate all blood clot survivors. </p><p>2022 will also see the arrival of some new <span style="color: red;"><b>CLOT BUSTER #StopTheCLot polka-dot </b></span>gear... You will want to get your hands on some of this stuff for sure... Here is a sneak peak of what we have coming... Stay tuned for me...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikhiT9Bq5J1yeoUVdKAWJGs8Ln7py7FX7tOeBjlQOIDa45SkgWjAyud9JanPW5oYvjiy1Xk0VHQBo2Hcldhy393Lbt225-00X3zgz_ZX8YzSlYaW08VDtwk0XuCVv3KGaw7n_CoD3JTRFv0wkpEkA-J9Or7OILRC2zwiQYsx04s5hjjt6Asw=s597" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="597" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikhiT9Bq5J1yeoUVdKAWJGs8Ln7py7FX7tOeBjlQOIDa45SkgWjAyud9JanPW5oYvjiy1Xk0VHQBo2Hcldhy393Lbt225-00X3zgz_ZX8YzSlYaW08VDtwk0XuCVv3KGaw7n_CoD3JTRFv0wkpEkA-J9Or7OILRC2zwiQYsx04s5hjjt6Asw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Speaking of going places... Did you know that the <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots</span></b> were at the London Marathon in 2021? How about that? Yes! January's Athlete of the Month took the polka-dots to London as she participated in the event and did well enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon...! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSq-bJp-v1Md20VUqSGAFD0jzPO7bNbZ5zstQCGBsMOKRLH04wzJ_XDQt4jheCHtjNO9JnHwfqA1zytr4wueDHV6HG5Aw5CL2uSsKvwAd4e7kwiKCM-V3nCO-JBqAarlRNJrBqVk-7W2T6ZZCqG6oGiFBAcP9TZYYv_OsIzOjQD4xcVhySaw=s618" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="507" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSq-bJp-v1Md20VUqSGAFD0jzPO7bNbZ5zstQCGBsMOKRLH04wzJ_XDQt4jheCHtjNO9JnHwfqA1zytr4wueDHV6HG5Aw5CL2uSsKvwAd4e7kwiKCM-V3nCO-JBqAarlRNJrBqVk-7W2T6ZZCqG6oGiFBAcP9TZYYv_OsIzOjQD4xcVhySaw=s320" width="263" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</span></b></p><p>I am incredible lucky to have cross paths with KIM who is a blood Clot Survivor as you will see and a big time runner... So very thankful that she is willing to share her story so that others can overcome the challenges of blood clots just like she did. This is definitely a GREAT start to the 2022 series of blog posts that NO DOUBT WILL INSPIRE US ALL!!!</p><p>Read on and get going!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: black;">What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? </span><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><b><span style="color: black;">I prefer to run as my activity of choice. I have been running since middle school all the way through college. I stopped for about 6 years and took up road cycling and have now gotten back into running again. During my cycling is when I ended up having my DVTs and PEs.</span></b><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><i>How did you get started in that sport? </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><span style="color: black;">Middle school cross country.</span></b></span><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b></b></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrSdZpG5ZMXMS_8cFhOv_mERQpIBC0haQWze0PxYSi2Yu6z1zO_i2bgrsTSl9WwfhvZfwNnO0o9qJ7ZxTbBX8sHwl_2ai6JmVJx4AVXCaPWEnDxWStdCAjmKOywoMfjVtmj38rZzUkoUOldnua68ZJb-Dw2lfNN1CC6qI5Vu9co5U8PPPAbA=s1040" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1040" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrSdZpG5ZMXMS_8cFhOv_mERQpIBC0haQWze0PxYSi2Yu6z1zO_i2bgrsTSl9WwfhvZfwNnO0o9qJ7ZxTbBX8sHwl_2ai6JmVJx4AVXCaPWEnDxWStdCAjmKOywoMfjVtmj38rZzUkoUOldnua68ZJb-Dw2lfNN1CC6qI5Vu9co5U8PPPAbA=s320" width="320" /></a></b></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><span style="color: black;">What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?</span></span><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><span style="color: black;">Qualifying for the Boston marathon in my age group during the London Marathon</span></b></span><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><span style="color: black;">Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? </span></span><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><span style="color: black;">I ended up being diagnosed with 7 DVTs in my leg and 3 PEs in my lungs. I was misdiagnosed multiple times by my PCP. I ended up having to push for self advocacy for someone to listen to me. I drove myself (mistake-don't do this) to the ER and forced someone to listen. I was diagnosed that night and was told if I did not come in I most likely would not have woken up the next morning. I clotted again after a couple months on Coumadin and was placed on "life long" lovenox at that time. New oral medications came out and I was hesitant to try them based on the reclotting episode. I tried an oral medication a few years ago with rapid hair loss as a side effect and was taken off of it within a couple weeks. I am now off of blood thinners unless traveling, and on a daily aspirin for management. 10 years post clots total and 2 years on aspirin instead of injecting myself daily. </span></b></span><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><span style="color: black;">When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time? </span></span><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><b><span style="color: #500050;">I was able to start back to walking and light bike riding within a few months. My leg swelled a lot and turned blue/purple forcing me to stop. I'd say it took months of going slow and doing what my body allowed before getting back into the swing of things. Probably 2 years before getting back to more normalcy in regards to exercise.</span></b></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiibHJDaftSZDJzJK9OzA6aqdfvPqOgkdY4CUVlkP243h53kvZY_mrPPW1bjeuzWUUQj3WnpRLlojHcnUGv5omy0WZQe8AzNvTDNPbrz7tkCGAieVZWpySN9gjVshawYJgUddj5PKax-QgH9kVNFIIf99_fTKyI7WVW8r_N1h5hmOAIzynDoQ=s760" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="558" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiibHJDaftSZDJzJK9OzA6aqdfvPqOgkdY4CUVlkP243h53kvZY_mrPPW1bjeuzWUUQj3WnpRLlojHcnUGv5omy0WZQe8AzNvTDNPbrz7tkCGAieVZWpySN9gjVshawYJgUddj5PKax-QgH9kVNFIIf99_fTKyI7WVW8r_N1h5hmOAIzynDoQ=s320" width="235" /></a></b></i></div><i><b><br /></b></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><span style="color: black;"><i>What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><span style="color: black;">On running shoes have turned into my favorite gear for running. Love these things!</span></b></span><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span class="m_8310390240208727828gmail-m-7617180173691231976gmail-m4764387117354422873gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-65880"><b><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: black;">How much are you getting out doing your sport?</span><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><b><span style="color: black;">5-6 days a week now</span></b><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: black;">What is your favorite food? </span><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><b><span style="color: black;">I have a gluten sensitivity but am willing to take on a pizza after a long hard workout or after a race. Luckily, it is not an allergy for me. </span></b><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: black;">If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? </span><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><b><span style="color: black;">We love traveling. My favorite place to go is Mallorca, Spain. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Lots of running and hiking there. </span></b><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: black;">What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours? How can people return to</span><span style="color: #222222;"><u> </u></span><span style="color: black;">do what they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after as you returned to action.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i><b><span style="color: black;">Advocacy is 100% the most important thing to remember. It is always ok to ask questions. Make sure you find a doctor that is willing to listen and explain your diagnosis and options. I am in the health field and know how hard this can be. But if I didn't fight for myself, I wouldn't be here right now. I still had symptoms for up to 2 years after my diagnosis and probably went in for 6 ultrasounds that showed nothing new the first year out. Better safe than sorry. If you don't feel you are listened to, then find a new doctor to go to. Life is too short as is. </span></b><u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><i> <u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><i>I learned a lot about clots and how bad they can be for patients in graduate school. I remember the night I read about them. I had about 300 pages to read that night alone. Impossible task. So you read what you can and skip the rest. I am beyond grateful that I decided to read that chapter. I did not have the typical blood clot symptoms (i.e. pain in the calf, warm to touch, etc). I had severe pain in my back that would not go away. It was unrelenting for a few days and I felt like I was going to die. I could barely walk to my car. As someone who was riding 2 hours a day on a bike this was scary. After being misdiagnosed I followed what my symptoms could be based on my education and went to the ER. I found that self advocacy is the most important thing someone else can learn from my story. It saved my life. </i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Indeed we need be ready to advocate for ourselves if we don't believe that we are diagnosed properly (because your symptoms persist) and/or your treatment is not yielding results. I have nothing but admiration for Health Care professionals and their challenging task to care for us but ultimately not always get it right and at times being your own advocate can end up saving your life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is no doubt that Kim will rock it in Boston just like she did in London. "The power of the polka-dots" is with her every step of the way. So proud and inspired to see Blood Clot Survivors being able to overcome. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">NEVER STOP GOING FORWARD!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for reading,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Clot Buster</span></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-87734127526926763972021-12-03T10:19:00.000-08:002021-12-03T10:19:17.477-08:00December Athlete of the Month<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsveX-VlRYE3qidfkY4u9na9bjXP6cXO6YylejYflon-6VBH30bCnoSFNg_ZJuHgxsqL5X1Li2KNQkle7EwExk5Q8_OD11h4ZQeTtsGJd7Lwa84t5Hze-ezLhKrvxNKywo5sbgjp_jtsWlvynur8dG0MJPPer_7I-ctNrH1vsdq1hj2zh3EA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="640" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsveX-VlRYE3qidfkY4u9na9bjXP6cXO6YylejYflon-6VBH30bCnoSFNg_ZJuHgxsqL5X1Li2KNQkle7EwExk5Q8_OD11h4ZQeTtsGJd7Lwa84t5Hze-ezLhKrvxNKywo5sbgjp_jtsWlvynur8dG0MJPPer_7I-ctNrH1vsdq1hj2zh3EA=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><br />And we made it to December... 2021 almost in the books.<p></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">GOOD WORK EVERYONE</span></b> in navigating the challenges and obstacles of this year.</p><p>Just like Blood Clot Survivors we all have done some sort of overcoming this year to make it through.</p><p>This year <b><span style="color: red;">TEAM STOP THE CLOT</span></b> did incredibly well at the NYC Marathon which is so inspiring... I can't get enough of seeing people finishing the grand challenge of completing 26.2 Miles.</p><p>December's Athlete of the Month will also inspire you. <b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">MIKE </span></b>is not strange of challenges and battling through to overcome and come back. Thank you Mike for your willingness to share your story. Your story is going to make a difference to get blood clot survivors going when their journey gets difficult. For my my part I am inspired to get out and do something today and everyday...!</p><p>I am eternally THANKFUL for the opportunity to meet so many incredible people through this medium, share these amazing stories, and be able to keep it up for another year... 13 years and counting!</p><p>Please read on for Mike's story and get inspired to <b><span style="color: red;">NEVER STOP MOVING FORWARD</span></b> because <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: black;">What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you
enjoy it</span>? <span style="color: red;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: red;">I am an avid triathlete.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">I enjoy
the camaraderie of training in groups for the swim, bike and run.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Triathlon training is a mixture of solo
training and team training and it all comes together on race days when everyone
is cheering you on and you get to realize all that you’ve been training for.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><span style="color: black;"><i>How did you get started in that sport? </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><span style="color: red;">I got started later in life, about 10 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had gone through some life challenges,
decided to get back into good physical shape (I was a former Division I football
player) and I missed the competitive nature of sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started without having swam in over 20
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t run more than a 5k in
probably 15 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a Clydesdale
sized athlete (Age 59, 6’ 1”, 225 lbs.), I am not the size, nor age of the
normal little skinny triathlete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I routinely finish before my younger, lighter competitors
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a mid-pack age grouper.</span></span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><span style="color: black;"><i>What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan
to achieve?</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><span style="color: red;">I am fortunate to have done 2 full distance Ironman races in
the last 3 years, probably 6 or 7 half Ironman distance and a bunch of Olympic
and Sprint distance races over the last 7 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was training for my 3<sup>rd</sup> Ironman
when I experienced my clotting episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My goal for 2022 is to compete in the USA Triathlon Athena/Clydesdale
championships and do well enough to place in my age category. </span></span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><span style="color: black;"><i>Tells about your clotting episode. Are you
on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><span style="color: red;">I am the
luckiest guy I know. </span> <span style="color: red;">I had a bike crash in June 2021 that caused me to have a torn
thumb tendon and casted for 5 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kept working out but on bike trainer and running w/ a cast on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a week after the cast came off, I
started having difficulty breathing on my workouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My partner Jennifer told me to go to the
Urgent Care on Sat AM to get it looked at rather than wait to see my family
doctor on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saved my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The CT scans showed I had 10 blood
clots in my lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I waited, I
probably would have either had a heart attack or died in my sleep that
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On blood thinners now through
March as they try and figure out what caused the clots and a path forward as
every test has come back as normal or negative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pulmonologists and hematologists have no
idea what caused the clots and what happens if/when I go off blood thinners.</span></span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSqXDMEp2M_MMw6NE3rUtT_mYd3gM4nAbTPWMjusVMOPcF-f08YEUGkOO1wgQkhJ6Doa6k-swj0P7W5-PWwHgHaamOqxwPbVB-0R-iOvwizXcewO8Ks6WbnPRqxbPT8TcEChbpcdNf9igoEPehEJMAIgydsRhdSZCY21minrnLWSiqR1vkMg=s480" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSqXDMEp2M_MMw6NE3rUtT_mYd3gM4nAbTPWMjusVMOPcF-f08YEUGkOO1wgQkhJ6Doa6k-swj0P7W5-PWwHgHaamOqxwPbVB-0R-iOvwizXcewO8Ks6WbnPRqxbPT8TcEChbpcdNf9igoEPehEJMAIgydsRhdSZCY21minrnLWSiqR1vkMg=s320" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i>When were you able to get back into your
activity? How did it feel that first time? </i></p></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red;">I got released two weeks after my episode to begin working
out and gradually increase my level and duration of exertion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt weird and I was a little scared at
first but things seem to be coming back but its going to take a while to get
there as my lungs recover and my fitness rebounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my
pulmonologist said “while on blood thinners, your veins and arteries are
virtually coated in WD-40 so nothing is going to happen to you” so I’m going to
work on getting back to my Ironman level of fitness.</span></span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><span style="color: black;"><i>What is your favorite piece of gear for your
favorite activity? </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span class="gmail-m-9027142043082306827m-300573769547355298m-6248154697981212550m-3638264077948411855m-4454949681221686432m6181789053628760736m3894410936916878384m-6677726056500112782m-7633395078170143192m-6588024722676714705m742623674268867296m-799348690971764938"><span style="color: red;">I am a product junkie to help me be faster, stronger, more healthy,
safer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a Scott Plasma 6
Tri-bike, I love my DeSoto tri-suits and New Balance 860 running shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have a Road ID that the EMS and
medical staff used when I crashed earlier this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan on getting a Polka-Dot tri-suit from
DeSoto to go along with my Red Polka-Dot technical t-shirt to bring awareness
to everyone about blood clots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
swear by Maurten mix and gels along with Skratch for hydration and nutrition
during workouts and races.</span></span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><i>How much are you getting out doing your sport? </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><i>I train almost everyday and sometimes as I’m ramping up in IM
training, its twice a day workouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably
10-16 hours a week. Its always a balancing act as I have a day job as an human
resources executive for a big company and a personal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, working out is a stress reliever
for me and I get a lot of satisfaction trying to remain “a year younger each
year”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a game to me and I love
looking at my workout data during and after a workout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite workouts are 8-10 mile runs along
the river in my community and 40-60 mile bike rides outside in the far western
Chicago suburbs and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swimming is
necessary but not a discipline I’m very good at nor have the body shape for it.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><i>What is your favorite food? Either
generally or after a workout. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: red;">My favorite food is a good steak paired with a Pinot
Noir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a workout, I often crave
carbs and salt – so it sometimes is cheese and crackers and a beer or two as I
rehydrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ0RJBFSgmEldzuCeHWc9jiCCjCpBDgOBAegsNfjzyvo-vFXkdKLMy0uP4yIMN5oZJSdZO_Yek-OvvlWSy6HfUgsZ_KkoLHxEfyIOzUqRupRXk14OvWA11BS_Ckgnq96wvSHZaGvrvB5JOwxqzS6B3QZFn43TWObArbtt2nWKYnYXUrb1Y2Q=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ0RJBFSgmEldzuCeHWc9jiCCjCpBDgOBAegsNfjzyvo-vFXkdKLMy0uP4yIMN5oZJSdZO_Yek-OvvlWSy6HfUgsZ_KkoLHxEfyIOzUqRupRXk14OvWA11BS_Ckgnq96wvSHZaGvrvB5JOwxqzS6B3QZFn43TWObArbtt2nWKYnYXUrb1Y2Q=s320" width="240" /></a></div><i>If you could go some place to visit and explore,
where would like to go? </i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><i>I’d love to
explore the coasts of the Eastern Mediterranean countries of Greece, Turkey, Croatia,
and Montenegro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday I will get
there. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><i>What would like to say to someone who is going through
a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours? How can people return
to do what they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: red;">My advice is listen to your body.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Know what feels right and what doesn’t and
act upon those perceptions.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Talk to
your medical advisors and ask lots of questions.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Questions don’t mean you’re challenging
their knowledge or direction, rather looking to clarify and confirm.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Don’t be afraid to stop and assess.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Don’t just work through the discomfort or
pain.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Be smart so you can live for
tomorrow.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">And once you get treated for
clots, teach your body and mind how to get back at it – smartly.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Don’t be afraid but don’t be reckless
either.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Discretion is often the better
part of valor.</span></i></p>Can't wait to see Mike in his <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots</span></b> racing triathlons out there. Who knows maybe someday we will be racing together out there and since you will beat me then I will be buying the "recovery beers"... Never stop going forward.<p></p><p>Thank you for reading,</p><p>The Clot Buster</p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-9426209129663254952021-11-04T13:35:00.001-07:002021-11-10T06:52:14.912-08:00November Athlete(s) of the Month<p style="text-align: center;"><b> RUN!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>RUN FAST!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>RUN and ENJOY ALL THE VIEWS!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>RUN and ENJOY THE SWEET PAIN OF WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO ACCOMPLISH!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">THANK YOU for RUNNING TO STOP THE CLOT!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS along with FRIENDS and FAMILY CAN DO ANYTHING!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>BEST OF LUCK to all of the <span style="color: red;">@TeamStopTheClot</span> Runners this weekend while they run the NYC Marathon!</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">The first weekend in November is always a very exciting time because we have runners representing <b><span style="color: red;">TEAM STOP THE CLOT</span></b> for 26.2 Miles at the NYC Marathon.</p><p style="text-align: left;">For 2021 we have one of our largest teams since we got this thing going in 2013... and I am so thrilled for all them. This is going to be an incredible experience and I can't for them to toe the line on Sunday.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Please take a moment to read through the profiles our athletes have prepared for their respective fundraising pages. Please consider donating to their campaigns even if they reached their goals. Your donation can and will make a difference</p><p style="text-align: left;">Here they are... <b><u><span style="color: red;">The 2021 Team STOP THE CLOT NYC Marathon Runners</span></u></b> = </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">BRITTANY </span></b>>>> <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/brittany-bogdan">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/brittany-bogdan</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">TERESA</span></b> >>> <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/teresa-bordeaux">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/teresa-bordeaux</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b>JULIE</b></span> >>> <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/julie-butterfield">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/julie-butterfield</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">ROBYN</span></b> >>> <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/robyn-chessman">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/robyn-chessman</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">THOMAS</span></b> >>> <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/thomas-geraghty">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/thomas-geraghty</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">SANDY</span></b> >>> <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/sandy-nelson">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/sandy-nelson</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">ERICA</span></b> >>> <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/erica-saccoccio">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/erica-saccoccio</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">GRETCHEN</span></b> >>> <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/gretchen-piller">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/gretchen-piller</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">NATALIA</span></b> >>> <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/natalia-siman">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/natalia-siman</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><b><span style="color: red;">COURTNEY </span></b><span style="color: #222222;">>>> </span></span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fundraisers.hakuapp.com/fundraisers/385e4c18d13168277fc4__;!!H3PqUTRkow!sOIxfNEHcakpJR9aPwuTH7i1wNp8jsMmYj23cdzLVvb8EOeS3yTHsV9G6A0$&source=gmail&ust=1636642034192000&usg=AOvVaw2_w57KjB1KXImBOC6NToUs" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fundraisers.hakuapp.com/fundraisers/385e4c18d13168277fc4__;!!H3PqUTRkow!sOIxfNEHcakpJR9aPwuTH7i1wNp8jsMmYj23cdzLVvb8EOeS3yTHsV9G6A0$" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-align: start;" target="_blank">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.<wbr></wbr>com/fundraisers/<wbr></wbr>385e4c18d13168277fc4</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><b><span style="color: red;">BILAL</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> >>> </span></span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fundraisers.hakuapp.com/fundraisers/cee3f85801fd53e4eb52__;!!H3PqUTRkow!sOIxfNEHcakpJR9aPwuTH7i1wNp8jsMmYj23cdzLVvb8EOeS3yTHNPioC9Y$&source=gmail&ust=1636642034192000&usg=AOvVaw1FGX2vLEMXIuHTyHIdVvbQ" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/fundraisers.hakuapp.com/fundraisers/cee3f85801fd53e4eb52__;!!H3PqUTRkow!sOIxfNEHcakpJR9aPwuTH7i1wNp8jsMmYj23cdzLVvb8EOeS3yTHNPioC9Y$" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-align: start;" target="_blank">https://fundraisers.hakuapp.<wbr></wbr>com/fundraisers/<wbr></wbr>cee3f85801fd53e4eb52</a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">This is truly an incredible group of individuals taking on one of the most amazing events in the marathon calendar. There is no race like the NYC Marathon and I am very excited for them to get to experience it.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Cheer for them near and far because they are an inspiration to all of us.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>RUN UNTIL YOU FINISH - NEVER STOP GOING FORWARD!</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Thank you for reading,</p><p style="text-align: left;">The Clot Buster</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-74719407251933808152021-10-07T20:33:00.005-07:002021-10-08T18:25:25.913-07:00October Athlete of the Month<p>Inspiration can come at you from many different directions. You never will know what will hit you that will get you inspired.</p><p>If you read any of the previous post from this blog you will find some inspiration from these blood clot survivors there is no question about it.</p><p>The month of October has in it a very VERY especial day for the community of blood clot survivors... <b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">OCTOBER 13th is WORLD THROMBOSIS DAY!!!</span></b> For me this is a day in which we celebrate awareness, survivors, and remember all those we lost along the way. This year <b><span style="color: red;">STOPTHECLOT.org </span></b>is celebrating World Thrombosis day with a virtual run. Checkout all the details here <a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/RunWalktoStoptheClot" target="_blank">>>> https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/RunWalktoStoptheClot </a></p><p>You know that I will be running in my <b><span style="color: red;">CLOT BUSTER @TeamStopTheClot polka-dots</span></b> and I hope that you will consider joining us as well!</p><p>And speaking of running... October is also the month in which preparations intensify in order for blood clot survivors and friends/family of blood clot patients to get ready to participate as runners for the NYC Marathon in November. This is without a question one of the coolest things that we get to do and to me it is always a thrill to meet these runners who are about to have an unbelievable experience running this marathon. There is nothing like it.</p><p>So lets go ahead and meet on of our runners for this year's edition of <b><span style="color: red;">Team STOP THE CLOT</span></b>. </p><p>Please allow me introduce to you <span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>NATALIA</b></span>... but instead of me rambling here go ahead and read on to learn more about this blood clot survivor who is going to dominate the NYC Marathon!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxm7yyDr1hW9iWOrbcwQdLDdVeNWNUiQCmTNjzi61U2XHRgA4zKVKXRx7jAOuHD5IPMOFu4-2gxSjmH3gcsDZ8fSJE6TWsN5QTO08x0HXn3HGJzcZ8pmWoNpKV333lZtfBCwc/s2048/NATALIA1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxm7yyDr1hW9iWOrbcwQdLDdVeNWNUiQCmTNjzi61U2XHRgA4zKVKXRx7jAOuHD5IPMOFu4-2gxSjmH3gcsDZ8fSJE6TWsN5QTO08x0HXn3HGJzcZ8pmWoNpKV333lZtfBCwc/s320/NATALIA1.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What is your sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?</i></span></b></p><p><i>I primarily run - I really enjoy the stress relief it provides and having my body be constantly challenged. I find that running really helps with my mental health and really jump starts my day. It is a sport that rewards consistency and to me that is very important. </i></p><div dir="auto"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>How did you get started in that sport?</i></span></b></div><div dir="auto"><i>One of my friends from back home in El Salvador challenged me to run a half marathon before I turned 25. I said sure - ran that race maybe 10 days before my birthday and then finished knowing I could do better. I have said the same every single race since then.</i></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?</i></span></b></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex; width: 592px;"><div dir="auto"></div></blockquote><div dir="auto"><i>I am running the NYC Marathon fundraising for team stop the clot! This will be my 3rd marathon (first post PE) and I am very nervous and very excited.</i></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUP_WIL5ijz5Avhmb6RZrO23brRporgHgiPFkVejCCIZuCr-Q5tD1giFNBIvhVQhZdvIBiN2Qkm_nbOOui6l6Y2SozAZZl1oHNj2kxAsHOxBB_G3ZCJp-s0HdyBhKBSs4JHJ_V/s1080/NATALIA3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUP_WIL5ijz5Avhmb6RZrO23brRporgHgiPFkVejCCIZuCr-Q5tD1giFNBIvhVQhZdvIBiN2Qkm_nbOOui6l6Y2SozAZZl1oHNj2kxAsHOxBB_G3ZCJp-s0HdyBhKBSs4JHJ_V/s320/NATALIA3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/natalia-siman&source=gmail&ust=1633829040531000&usg=AFQjCNH3CZYPC_dcVsY103LHP24J9L6HDA" href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/natalia-siman" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>https://fundraisers.hakuapp.<wbr></wbr>com/natalia-siman</b></span></a></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?</i></span></b></div><div dir="auto"><i>A week after my 29th birthday, I was training for CIM in California and I had a run that was very very hard. (It was a 20 miler so granted, that is never easy) I had never before felt that out-of-breath feeling, especially on an easy paced run. I chalked it up to a bad day, but then when I felt out of breath dancing at a wedding a couple of days later, I knew there was something off. I remember I couldn’t take a complete deep breath on the way back from the wedding. </i></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><i>I went to the urgent care the next day and because I had traveled, they wanted to check for blood clots and sent me to the ER. They told me that it was most likely bronchitis but wanted to check. </i></div><div dir="auto"><i>I thought they were crazy!! That blood clots only happened to much older individuals. I went to the ER anyways because I had a Disney half marathon that weekend and wanted to get better.</i></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><i>I ended up having a double pulmonary embolism, every doctor that came in to see me kept telling me that my life was a miracle, that I only felt good because of how much I run. I was never really scared until my parents showed up from El Salvador and then I realized how serious this was and could have been.</i></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><i>My boyfriend ran the half instead of me, and I was still doing blood thinners via injection/needles. It was completely surreal to me to be at Disney having to inject myself with blood thinners and feeling weak after being marathon training a week before!! </i></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><i>I went to the hematologist, described what I was taking before. I was very dehydrated, took approximately 5 flights in two weeks (this is very normal for me because I travel for work), was on birth control, so I really don’t know exactly what caused my episode, but doctors think it’s a combination of all of the above. </i></div><div dir="auto"><i> </i></div><div dir="auto"><i>I was on blood thinners for approximately 8 months, I was out of commission for about a month, but then it took a while to get back my running fitness. Maybe 6 months. The mental hurdle was so much harder to deal with, even almost two years later when it is hard to breathe I panic. I went to the urgent care once for what ended up being nothing. Also with COVID wearing a mask and going up stairs gave me that same out of breath feeling that is now extremely scary to me. </i></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div></div><div dir="auto"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time?</i></span></b></div><div dir="auto"><i>My hematologist told me I could run a couple of weeks after the episode, but to take it very easy. That first time it felt scary and it was hard to breathe. I ran for only a couple of minutes and then did some walking intervals. I remember feeling so happy once I got back to a mile.</i></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></div></div></blockquote><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><b><span style="color: red;">What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?</span></b><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><i>I love my aftershokz! I also got myself a roadID bracelet for when I was taking blood thinners and for safety after knowing I could have passed out during my clotting incident. (I never used to run with any kind of ID)</i></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><b><span style="color: red;">How much are you getting out doing your sport?</span></b><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><i>Right now I am running 4-5x a week. I am doing way lower mileage than before, both to prevent injury and I am not as fit as before!</i></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout.</i></span></b></div><div dir="auto"><i>I LOVE a cold chocolate milk after a run.</i></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? </i></span></b></div><div dir="auto"><i>I really want to go to Japan and spend a whole week just exploring and eating.</i></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhyphenhyphenYy2OBW7YzAhFciNtucDAEOEuT8_GgK3csOPrQoMxUtaeGqz1pA5vEMueTv5v2Y3v_Bv4024JvhS2VFq3xs3_qrIDnMEzs4OIwXX1RUy8avdkehCjGjoi4v4O5xa6GuWmAZ/s2048/NATALIA2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhyphenhyphenYy2OBW7YzAhFciNtucDAEOEuT8_GgK3csOPrQoMxUtaeGqz1pA5vEMueTv5v2Y3v_Bv4024JvhS2VFq3xs3_qrIDnMEzs4OIwXX1RUy8avdkehCjGjoi4v4O5xa6GuWmAZ/s320/NATALIA2.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours? How can people return to do what they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after</i></span></b></div><div dir="auto"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto"><i>This is scary, and it sucks, and you are not alone. I did not know anyone who had a pulmonary embolism at a young age (to be honest, I didn’t even know the word embolism in English). It gets better. After a while you start to feel better and you start to trust your body again. It is a process and like any process you have to take it one day at a time. Forward is forward, and though sometimes it feels like you are treading water - you are alive, and you are making progress!!</i> </div><div class="yj6qo"></div><div class="adL" dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="adL" dir="auto">Can't wait for Natalia to experience the Marathon in NYC. </div><div class="adL" dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="adL" dir="auto">No question that "it is a process" and you have to work at it every single day. Blood Clot Survivors do this all the time and so can we. </div><div class="adL" dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="adL" dir="auto">Thank you so much to Natalia for her willingness to share her story. Here is wishing her all the best while she finalizes her training and prepares for race day.</div><div class="adL" dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="adL" dir="auto">Thank you for reading,</div><div class="adL" dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="adL" dir="auto">The Clot Buster</div>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888632.post-491027246178497302021-09-14T07:44:00.002-07:002021-09-14T07:44:54.366-07:00September Athlete of the Month<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><u>BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!</u></span></b></p><p>You have seen me write this more times that I can count but it is the absolute truth.</p><p>Every story that I see about blood clot survivors overcoming the challenges related to blood clots inspires me everyday to keep the effort going about spreading awareness and celebrating all blood clot survivors.</p><p>Over the past weeks I also saw another source of inspiration in watching the coverage of the Tokyo Paralympics. I am was so proud that my boys wanted to see the coverage about the various events and what people are capable to overcome. If you have not seen Paralympic Athletes in action you should definitely make it priority because there is nothing like it. The determination to overcome by those athletes is truly remarkable.</p><p>While watching these coverage I came across a familiar face that I have known about for many years from her participation and success in the Paralympics but also because she is a formidable long distance/endurance athlete. I have seen her perform and win at the highest levels of the wheelchair division of famous marathons but I never really knew about her battle with blood clots (diagnosed blood clotting disorder) and how that incident almost derailed her sports career when she was at her highest level.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GnIFjku6YSAPKFZ4XWh_Ds-s_l4uNmRXOT-DYstnUYOMz9IOujSxHzOxXsNKJq-7aStOSFh11nWu9dd0KFCQtz_7LfMZ-wbMS3zXMBkywqzsynI6SJzbSLWWRqUg68tgQYkq/s1125/London%252BMedal%252BCeremony%252BIMG_4450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GnIFjku6YSAPKFZ4XWh_Ds-s_l4uNmRXOT-DYstnUYOMz9IOujSxHzOxXsNKJq-7aStOSFh11nWu9dd0KFCQtz_7LfMZ-wbMS3zXMBkywqzsynI6SJzbSLWWRqUg68tgQYkq/s320/London%252BMedal%252BCeremony%252BIMG_4450.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: red;">TATYANA</span></b> certainly has a story to tell that is very much worth learning about. She has been able to overcome the challenges of her condition to continue to be a world class athlete. It is truly impressive to read about her tenacity, dedication, and mental fortitude.</p><p>The link below will lead you to a video in which TATYANA speaks about her experience... check it out!</p><p><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/paralympics/news/videos/tatyana-mcfadden-blood-clots-almost-killed-me">https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/paralympics/news/videos/tatyana-mcfadden-blood-clots-almost-killed-me</a></span></b></p><p>"Anything is possible for those who believe"</p><p>There is no question that Tatyana believes in herself and that is what ALL Blood Clot Survivors also do in order to overcome.</p><p>For sure we will continue to see Tatyana on the biggest stage showing everyone that <b><span style="color: red;">BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING.</span></b></p><p>Never Stop Trying and Going Forward.</p><p>Thank you for reading,</p><p>The Clot Buster</p>Clot Busterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477525075054530521noreply@blogger.com2