May 2012 - Athlete of the Month - UPDATE

You can't stop her just hope to contain her...

TAMMY ROETHER is an inspiration to all of us.

Her determination simply cannot be matched.

Do you think that a blood clot can stop her?

Do you know what she did last November?

Do you venture to guess?

Are you ready to know?

She PARTICIPATED and FINISHED the 2012 IRONMAN ARIZONA...!

How about that !?!?!?

 

 

Simply amazing!  I am really short of words to describe the magnitude of what she accomplished.  But wait, this is not her first Ironman this is her THIRD!!!

 

Although due to her past blood clotting incidents her doctors are strongly recommending her to stop long endurance racing you can be sure that this lady is not stopping and will continue to get out there.  It is so amazing where your drive and determination can take you. 

 

CLOT BUSTER - STOP THE CLOT polka-dots at the 2012 IRONMAN ARIZONA... OUTSTANDING!!!

 

TAMMY - Thank you for the inspiration.  You are an amazing example... THANK YOU for letting blood clots stop you.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster

January Athlete of the Month

It is hard to believe...

But once more we get another example that ANYONE at ANYTIME can come down with a clotting incident.

This time we find blood clots in the news affecting a potential ALL STAR NBA player from the Cleveland Cavaliers...

Please allow me to introduce to you  ANDERSON VAREJAO

I wish that it was under better circumstances that I get to learn about this fine player's story.  However, he is now a "member" of our movement even if he is not directly involved with spreading the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

If you are interested in reading about Anderson's clotting incident and team reaction you can read the article I found below...

Article from the Associated Press posted on ESPN.com on 01/23/2013...

"CLEVELAND -- Anderson Varejao's season rapidly spiraled from a probable All-Star appearance to over.
The Cavaliers' hustling center, who led the NBA in rebounding before he went down last month with what appeared to be nothing more than a bruised knee, remained hospitalized Monday with a blood clot in his lower right lung, a health scare that will force him to miss the rest of this season.
Varejao, who underwent surgery on a torn leg muscle on Jan. 10, has been at The Cleveland Clinic since last Thursday. The Cavs said he will likely remain in the hospital for several more days as he receives treatment. Varejao is expected to make a full recovery, but he will remain on blood thinning medications for at least three months, the team said Monday.
The loss of the 6-foot-11 Varejao is a crushing blow to the young Cavs, who are just 10-32.
"Losing him already was bad enough for us," star point guard Kyrie Irving said. "The news got worse today. We wish him the best. We're all going to be there for him morale-wise, just try to be there for him as best as we can as teammates. That's all we can do right now."
Despite Varejao being admitted to the hospital four days ago, the Cavs did not reveal he was still there until shortly before Monday's workout at their training facility.
Varejao was having an All-Star-caliber season before he injured his leg on Dec. 18 against Toronto. Team doctors initially diagnosed the injury as a bruise and expected Varejao to make a quick recovery. However, tests revealed an uncommon split in his quadriceps muscle which required an operation. Varejao was expected to be out eight weeks before he developed the blood clot following the surgery.
General manager Chris Grant said the team is "fairly confident" the clot was not a reaction from surgery.
This is the third straight season Varejao has missed extended time with injuries. The Brazilian sat out 41 games last season with a broken wrist, and he was sidelined for 51 games in 2011 after tearing a tendon in his ankle while running after practice.
"We're just feeling bad for Andy," Cavs coach Byron Scott said following practice. "I think the world of Andy, especially with the way he plays. My heart just goes out to him. He's had some bad luck in the last three years. I'm sure it's devastating to him. I feel real bad for him."
Varejao was averaging 14.4 rebounds and 14.1 points in 25 games before he got hurt. There wasn't a center in the Eastern Conference playing better than the fun-loving 30-year-old, who has developed into much more than a competent reserve -- when he's healthy.
If he had been able to keep playing, there's little doubt Varejao, acquired by Cleveland in 2004 in a trade with Orlando, would have been named an All-Star reserve this week.
Grant pointed out that Varejao's injuries have been unrelated.
"They've all really been freak things," he said. "He's frustrated. We're frustrated for him and with him. We would love to have him out there, particularly the type of year he was having. He's really come into his own as a leader on the court, so it's difficult. But at the same time we believe in him as a guy, we know what he can do. He's played in a lot of big games for us, into the Finals. We'll continue to support him."
Cleveland, which has one of the league's youngest rosters, just completed a 1-4 road trip. The Cavs will host Boston on Tuesday and play 10 of their next 12 games at home.
Varejao's injury has allowed Scott to give extra playing time to second-year forward Tristan Thompson and rookie Tyler Zeller. The Cavs, though, have been plagued by wild inconsistency, especially down the stretch in games they've let slip away.
"We've made strides in the right direction, but we just have to be more consistent game-to-game," said Irving, who is averaging 23.1 points, 5.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. "I say it all the time, we've proven we can play with the best in the league, we just have to put two halves together. We're still figuring that out."
They'll have to do it without Varejao, their never-stopping big man who has managed to stay positive despite his latest medical setback.
"His spirits are up," said Grant. "He's frustrated. He wants to play; he wants to be with his teammates on the court. But he's such a good guy. Every time you see him he's still got that big smile." "

Simply amazing to realize that even professional athletes can be exposed to the dangers of blood clots.

Once more early diagnosis and treatment saved Anderson's life and career.  I really hope that some day all people who are in danger of suffering from a clotting incident can in fact receive early diagnosis and treatment so that the impact of the blood clot is a little as possible.

From down here in Columbus, OH the Cleveland Cavaliers have a fan who will be following the progress of the team.  I look forward to see #17 (which by the way is my favorite number...!) back in the court next year providing inspiration to others who may be going through the same trouble.

Here is wishing Anderson a speedy and safe recovery.  Without a question he will be back to shows once more that blood clots cannot and will not stop you...!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Back and better than ever... Part 2

 

Continuing my theme of getting inspired for 2013 I wanted to look back and share some of the best pictures we were able to collect throughout the past year of the CLOT BUSTER - STOP THE CLOT polka dots...

 

How do I look? I have to admit that those polka-dots make me look good.

 

If I am lucky enough these very polka-dots will be running in NYC this coming November... stay tuned for more.

 

If you want your very own polka-dots get them at my blog and help me spread the word about STOP THE CLOT.

 

See you out there!

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster

Back and Better than ever...

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2013 has started and the first thing we did was to go on vacation away from the cold and snow...

 

 

I have to admit that running by the ocean, the sandy beaches, and the palm trees was very pleasant.  Not to mention the chance to spend extended quality time with my side of the family.  I very much enjoyed all of it.

But now we are back and 2013's routine is really getting under way.

Many challenges await this year and I am very excited to take on all of them the only way I know how... head on.

 

But before I get warmed up to take on 2013 I like to take a look what I was able to do in 2012.

 

I am very lucky to have had the chance to do as much as I did and to race as much as I did.

 

For me the highlight of the year was to compete in the Rev3 Half-Iron Distance Triathlon in Cedar Point and come within minutes of my PR at that distance.  I was very pleased with the fact that I was able to string together a half-marathon consistently after the previous 56 Miles.  I've always had trouble with second half of the run in this long type of races.

 

But all together I am VERY GRATEFUL to be out there when I can and keep taking the CLOT BUSTER - STOP THE CLOT polka-dots for all to see and in the very least get people thinking and learning about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

 

Here are my totals for SWIMMING, BIKING, and RUNNING in 2012.  At the end of each year I look at this numbers and I am blown away... to me it is simply impressive.

 

SWIM = 36.6 Miles

 

BIKE = 2,292 Miles

 

RUN = 765 Miles

 

What were your numbers for 2012? Keep track of them because looking at the them at the end makes you feel accomplished.

 

How will the 2013 numbers turn out? I don't have any idea but you can be sure that I will be tracking it all to look back on it and get inspired once more to take on the next year.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster