December Athlete of the Month

Time to Celebrate!

2020 is coming to and end.

May this Holiday Season be filled with all the joy and serenity you need to get ready to keep on keeping on!

Hard to imagine what we all have been through this year and what we have left to go.  

The turn of the new year is not going to solve all of our on-going problems but there seems to be a glimmer of hope in the horizon that we slowly will return to some sort of normalcy.  What will this new normal look like? I don't have any clue but I can tell you this... We will for sure continue to spread awareness about blood clots and blood clotting disorders along with continuing to CELEBRATE ALL BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS.

That is about the only normal that I can hold on to for the moment.  My CLOT BLUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots may not be actively racing but for sure they are actively out doing what they can to make new connections and bringing folks into this community to perhaps find some support while they are navigating the challenges of their very own blood clotting incident.

The goal of this space is to celebrate all levels of ability because we all walk together through our experiences of overcoming the unknowns of survival.

December's Athlete of the month sure has an interesting to share and I am so very thankful to Michele for her willingness to share this wonderful write-up that I am certain you will find engaging as well.  Please read on and be inspired to overcome!

I have always loved hiking and taking long scenic power walks or jogs. Luckily, I live in Sonoma County, California where, between the redwoods, the coast and the vineyards, there is no shortage of natural beauty to enjoy. I find that it clears the mind, and is the best remedy for the typical anxiety or depression that most people experience from time to time. It’s also an activity I have always been able to enjoy with my young son, Hunter. Unfortunately, due to an injury obtained 6 years ago from parkour gone wrong (a story for a different time), I started to slowly develop arthritis in my left ankle. When I couldn’t even walk without pain at only 30 years old, I realized that I needed to take some drastic measures. It seemed so silly that a random accident like that could have such a negative impact on my quality of life. So, in January of 2020, I had had an elective ankle surgery to fuse the ankle that was, at that point, riddled with arthritis.

At the time of my surgery, I was on hormonal birth control pills. I also had a family history of blood clots, although I did not know it at the time. Due to my age and the fact that I was relatively healthy, no anticoagulation therapy was ever discussed with me. The surgery went well, and I was placed in a splint for two weeks to allow for swelling. During those two weeks, I had little to no mobility, as the pain was very intense and I was told to ice and elevate. Shortly after I had the plaster cast placed on my leg, I noticed a change in how my calf felt. I experienced new onset throbbing and swelling, as well some discoloration of my toes. I called the advice nurse who told me to come in to have the cast removed and reapplied. When I went in, my podiatrist informed me that the swelling and pain was common, and that it would dissipate soon enough.

A couple days later, I woke up to a dull ache behind my right shoulder blade. I assumed I had slept in an awkward position (if you’ve ever had a leg cast- you know what I’m talking about), so I did some stretching and foam rolling throughout the day to try and relieve the pain. As the day went on, I started noticing that the pain got worse with inhalation. By about 9:30 PM, the pain was so excruciating that I couldn’t breathe without crying out in pain. Luckily, I was recovering from surgery at my parent’s house. My mom, who works in cardiology, told me that it sounded like symptoms of a blood clot. She told me we should go to the ED to get it checked out. I reluctantly agreed, and I’m glad that I did!

On my way to the hospital I called my paternal grandmother to ask her if she had ever had a blood clot, as I had briefly remembered hearing about it a few years prior. She confirmed that yes, she had, and that my aunt had as well. When I arrived at the emergency department I had the information I needed to share with the nurses and treating physician. I told them about the surgery, the swelling, the birth control, the family history and the shortness of breath that I had just started experiencing.

One EKG, chest x-ray and chest CT later, I was greeted by a physician that bluntly told me, “You’re not going to die, but you do have several blood clots in your right lung.” I had developed a blood clot in my leg called deep vein thrombosis, which had broken off and traveled to my lungs causing a pulmonary embolism. I was prescribed Eliquis and admitted to the hospital. I was confused, however, when the pain and shortness of breath continued to worsen after starting the prescribed medication. The doctor told me that it was likely from scar tissue caused by the lack of blood flow to some portions of my lungs, and that it would soon go away. I had no idea that it would get worse before it got better, or that it would take months until I got any kind of relief.

When I got home from the hospital, I didn’t know what to do. I felt so lost, alone and still in an excruciating amount of pain. I didn’t feel like the trauma I was going through was understood by my family. I didn’t know that post-clot PTSD existed yet, but I knew I couldn’t continue to live in constant fear. This led me to join a pulmonary embolism support group on Facebook. It was through this group that I finally got the relief I needed. I became informed on my condition, received great advice and met some amazing people that helped me get through the hardest time in my life. They explained things to me in ways that no clinician was able to do for me.

Even with all the virtual support I received, the road to recovery was a long one. I saw a hematologist who diagnosed me with two different genetic clotting mutations- Factor 5 Leiden Heterozygous and Factor 2 Heterozygous. He told me that I would need to stay on Eliquis for at least 6 months, possibly even longer. After an echocardiogram, my cardiologist informed me that, thankfully, there was no long-term damage done to my heart. My pulmonologist said that there was some scarring in my lung tissue, but that the clots had dissolved. Through all of this, my chest pain persisted and remained somewhat of a mystery. Post clot PTSD was, by far, the biggest struggle of all. Since I still wasn’t able to walk, I wasn’t getting the exercise that I previously relied on for emotional regularity. Over the next few months, I was seen in the ED two more times, had two more EKGs, chest x-rays and chest CTs. The words “chest pain” with a history of VTE are not taken lightly.

It wasn’t until I was slowly able to start walking again that I got the relief I needed. I started out slowly, walking up and down the hall once or twice with my walking boot. Unfortunately, I realized quickly that it wasn’t just my ankle that needed rehabilitation, but my lungs as well. Walking to the corner and back left me feeling like I had just run a marathon! It was, however, an amazing feeling to be walking again. I felt independent for the first time in 10 weeks. This feeling of freedom lit a fire underneath me. I was determined to get back to my long walks- possibly even hikes! I started walking 1-2 times a day on the creek path behind my house, sometimes only making it a few hundred feet before my shortness of breath got the best of me and I had to turn around. Within a few weeks, though, I was able to walk a mile. Now 10 months later, I’m walking 3-5 miles every few days, and I’m back on some of my favorite hiking trails. I recently completed a walk/jog 5k with the National Blood Clot Alliance’s Team Stop Clot while sporting my favorite New Balance Fresh Foam Sport shoes and Clot Buster’s Running Polka-dot shirt on the very creek path that my recovery started on. My shortness of breath is mostly gone, and I suspect that with more endurance training I can be back to “normal” by the new year.

I am still a part of the Pulmonary Embolism Support Group on Facebook, where I see so many new survivors with the same fears that I had only a few months ago. They want to know if they will ever recover. They want to know whether or not the constant anxiety and fear will ever go away. The truth is, recovery looks different for everyone. It seems to me, though, that determination and belief in yourself is key to making steps in the right direction. I was able to turn my anxiety into motivation and began my patient advocacy journey by raising awareness about blood clots. I have started working alongside the National Blood Clot Alliance helping with fundraising for their many programs and resources. I feel like I have found my community, and it’s one where everyone is welcome, appreciated and celebrated.

This experience has lead me down a previously unimaginable path of self-love (our bodies are capable of just about anything!), strengthened my relationships with my family and friends, and taught me never to take a single breath for granted. I have new goals of traveling (when safe, of course) to Europe, visiting family more often and, of course, sharing my story with anyone who will listen so that I can take this experience and use it for good. If I could save even one life by telling people about the risks, signs and symptoms of blood clots, it will all have been worth it.

A word of advice to my fellow PE warriors: Take that vacation, eat that pizza, do what makes you happy! Most importantly, though, give the support and be an example for others that are unsure about whether or not they will be able to make it to the next day. 

Yes indeed Michele let's eat that pizza after that killer hike! For sure you will have to be my guide for those favorite trails of yours.  We will have to tackle those trails in our CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots!

Celebrate this holiday season that some sort of normal is coming soon.

Thank you for reading.

The Clot Buster

November Athlete of the Month

Father time never stops.

We have reached November and some of the feelings I decribed on some of my previous posts have not really gone away.

During the first weekend is November is where Team #STOPTHECLOT has the chance to shine bright with the CLOT BUSTER #STOPTHECLOT polka-dots lining up on the backs of blood clot survivors and family or friends of blood clot patients for the world famous NYC Marathon.

Of course this year the race was not going to happen unfortunately.  But considering that this second wave of the virus is coming with a vengance it is best that it is this way so that we can attempt to tame the spread.  Let us all contiune to hang in there and find strength on the fact that following guidelines helps ALL OF US.

Despite the monumental challenge of the pandemic, inspiration is all around us.  

I like ko focus on the inspiration provided by blood clot survivors who can and often do overcome the monumental challenges presented by blood clots.  Thanks to the connectivity provided by the web the connections with blood clot survivors can go far and wide.

This month we are very fortunate to have TOM share his story with us.  It is fitting that we get him to share his story during the month in which the NYC Marathon was to take place.  Please checkout his story below and you will quickly understand why...!

"New Year's Eve, 2019, I woke up from a nap before starting my overnight shift at work.  I'm a sergeant in the New York City Police Department.  When I woke up, I noticed a sharp pain in my right side whenever I'd take a deep breath.  At 39 years old, I figured it was probably from sleeping funny on the couch, a pulled muscle, maybe even a kidney stone.  I went about my night, came home and went to sleep.  

That next day, the pain wouldn't go away.  It actually got worse and worse as the day went on.  Finally I decided it was worth getting checked out at an urgent care center.  The PA there was amazing.  Right off the bat, he said the way I was presenting sounded like it could be a blood clot.  No way, I thought.  There's no history in my family, I hadn't been on any long flights.  I was a runner, for crying out loud!  I went to the hospital and within an hour, the doctors dropped a bombshell.  I had a pulmonary embolism.  I was lucky, they said.  If I had waited any longer, there was a good chance the clot would have broken off and traveled to my heart.  If that happened, it would have been too late.  I was stunned.  The doctors started me on blood thinners immediately.  I was discharged, went home and began my recovery.  

 

It was surprising how quickly the physical pain went away.  The mental aspect, I'm still dealing with.  Every time I feel a twinge in my chest, I wonder if this is it.  Honestly, it feels like a re-run of Sanford and Son!  

 

About a week or two after my episode, my hematologist and pulmonologist said I could go back to physical activity.  The only restrictions were to listen to my body.  I hopped on the treadmill and got a couple slow, pensive miles in.  I felt okay, and did a little more a day or two later.  I've been a runner about 5 or 6 years now.  In 2015, I signed up for a half marathon to get in shape for my wedding.  The running bug hit me, and I've been doing it ever since.  I even finished the 2015 NYC Marathon, though there's some unfinished business with me and that course.

With each run, my confidence started to return.  I was eating healthier and losing weight.  That translated to speeds I'd never seen before in my running.  I started thinking about giving the NYC Marathon another shot.  While looking around, I discovered the NBCA and Team Stop the Clot.  I was fascinated to read stories of other survivors who had not only recovered, but thrived in the face of blood clots.  It inspired me, still does.

 

In February, I read a post on Facebook from an old high school friend who I hadn't talked to in 20 years.  He was in the hospital with leg pain, and the doctors found clots in his leg.  I could tell from his post that he was scared, so reached out to him to let him know he wasn't alone.  We caught up a little.  He was engaged to his old high school flame and looking forward to starting a family.  I think having someone to talk to helped him.  Unfortunately, later that day, his fiancee reached out to me and said that he had passed away.  Doctors must have missed a clot, and his heart gave out.  I think about Ray every single day.  My heart breaks for his family, his fiancee.  And to be totally honest, there's a measure of survivor's guilt. 

 

A few months after that, I got a text message from another old friend of mine, April.  She's the one I mentioned earlier where my story convinced her to get checked out, and it saved her life.

 

Every run feels like a gift, like I'm playing with house money and I'm on borrowed time.  I hug my kids a little tighter, tell my wife I love her every single day.

 

In a bit of good news, my hematologist officially took me off Xarelto last week!  I'm on a low dose aspirin regimen now.  My blood tests have come back normal every single time.  Doctors still have no idea where my clot came from.  I have no genetic predisposition, no long traveling, no trauma, my job isn't very sedentary.  We may never know.

 

That's my story.  I run whenever I can, usually about 4-5 times a week.  My Garmin Forerunner 645 watch is my favorite piece of gear, second to my Hoka One One Rincon's which have become my go-to racing shoe.  I could eat pizza for every meal if possible, and there's nothing like a post long run beer (in moderation of course!!).

 

The best advice I could give someone going through a clotting episode is to listen to your body.  Realizing the pain I was feeling wasn't normal fairly early kept me alive.  Talk to your friends, your family, your doctors.  Find resources online.  You're not alone.  And if you're able to, keep moving, keep running, keep breathing!"

Indeed Tom... KEEP MOVING, KEEP RUNNING, KEEP BREATHING...

BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!

Can't wait to see you conquer your unfinished business with the NYC Marathon.  You will crush that course in your very own CLOT BUSTER #STOPTHECLOT polka-dots!

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

October Athlete of the Month

Are you ready to participate in the #STOPTHECLOT Virtual 5k? 

My CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots have been ready and are INSPIRED all around because Blood Clot Survivor CAN DO ANYTHING!

Join us virtually to run, walk, jog or even cycle to support NBCA. Participate from any location at any level of athletic ability. Run your own race at your own pace and time it yourself. Register here: https://bit.ly/3io2qWg #stoptheclot

It has been a super busy and exciting month becuase of the preparations needed for the Virtual 5K.  The CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dot goods are selling out and we are shipping ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.  Very excited to see all the places where the polka-dots will be out and about so that we can CELEBRATE all Blood Clot Survivors as well REMEMBER all those we lost along the way.  Blood Clots can indeed happen to anyone but being to reover in whatever way your body allows you too is what inspires me everyday.

Speaking of inspiration... October's Athlete of the month has a truly inspiting story.  I am very excited to be able to share this story with all of you.  Donna has been very gracious in sharing her story with us and I can't say anything else other than Read On!

"I was on top of the world. I just finished my third Leadville 100 mile race in August when my life was turned upside down. It started with a nagging pain in my forearm that just would not go away. I was in top shape, but the week after the race I still did not feel quite right. I had had some minimal swelling in my arms and hands during the race, which was nothing too abnormal for me; I thought it was due to hydration. I thought my continued labored breathing was just exhaustion from a hard season of ultra-running. It never dawned on me that I could be so active and have something be seriously wrong.

I have always been active and athletic. At 45, I am a dedicated long-distance runner. I have run more than thirty ultra-marathons and they have taught me to pay attention to my body. This time I could not put my finger on it, but I just didn’t feel well. I was exhausted, having trouble breathing, and struggling with pain and the use of my arms. I was having trouble breathing on my morning 7 mile runs and even when driving over mountain passes near my home in Colorado. I went to the doctor, explained my symptoms, and asked for blood work and a referral to an orthopedic specialist for my arm pain. She diagnosed my arm pain as tennis elbow. When the blood work came back normal, she thought I just needed a break from running.

However, things kept getting worse. I was now having trouble using my left hand at all, and my strength was going. I blew it off as tennis elbow and thought maybe I was just getting old. I kept saying it just needed time, so I headed off to another 100 mile run and then another. I never felt quite right and kept consulting with my doctors, but they could not identify a problem and just kept treating me for tennis elbow and exhaustion.

I finished the Across the Year 100-mile race in January and felt awful. During that race, my arms swelled to twice their normal size and could not fit into my gloves. My breathing was much more labored than usual. It was a hard race for me, but I thought, “Well, sometimes races are hard.” As the days went on after that race, though, I felt like a truck had hit me. This pushed me to once again to contact my doctor and insist on more tests. I explained that even though I was still running 50-70 miles a week, I did not feel right and it was getting worse. We discussed my arm swelling once again. They were stumped because I had it in both arms, and now the swelling was rearing its head on the shortest of runs. The trouble breathing was also catching up with me.

On an 8 mile walk, friends saw my hands and said that it was much worse than they had imagined. They insisted I go to the emergency room. I again called my doctor. Six months after the original appointment, and despite monthly appointments and contact, she had no new input.

I went to the emergency room. Both my d-dimer and chest x-ray came back normal, so they were just going to send me home. Luckily for me, however, I come from a family of physicians, and I called for their thoughts. My sister-in-law knew that I had not been doing my normal activities, even though I was doing more than 90% of the average person’s activity level. She said she thought I might have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. She told me that it’s rare and often the blood clots are in your arms and chest.  She recommended that I demand an ultrasound to check for DVTs and a CT scan for other clots.

I brought my concern to the doctors in the emergency room. They thought it was extremely unlikely. They were not happy to be questioned and thought it was unnecessary, but I refused to leave until they did an ultrasound. They finally sent me back to get one.

(The reason I share this part of the story is that if you don’t feel right and you are in tune with your body, you may need to fight for the care you need. Be persistent. Don’t stop until you get answers. You know your body and what is right for it.)

As soon as the ultrasound tech started, I knew I was not going home that day.  It took a long time. She was measuring and taking photos of numerous clots. Some had fibrosed down and had caused permanent damage to my vascular system. They had obviously been there for a long time.

That day my life changed dramatically. I started treatment for the clots. I was diagnosed with Vascular and Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and referred to a vascular surgeon.

“Vascular Thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS) is categorized as disorders of the upper extremity, which are caused by compression of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery or vein by bony, soft tissue or muscular anomalies as they emerge from the thoracic outlet.  Vascular TOS usually occurs in young patients and athletes who are involved in repetitive overhead motion, such as swimming or baseball. 

Symptoms

Symptoms in the upper extremity are a result of thromboembolization (clot formation & dislodgement of the clot), and include arm fatigue, distal ischemia (lack of blood supply) of part of the hand in more than 50% of cases, Raynaud's phenomenon, or stroke. 

A bony abnormality causes trauma to the subclavian artery from compression that occurs with arm movement, especially repetitive overhead activities.” University of California San Francisco

 In the past year, I have had several procedures on my vascular system to break up the clots. I had major surgery to relieve the pressure on my vascular system to prevent further clots. For weeks I could not use my hands and needed my family and friends to do most everything for me. It was very hard for me to depend on other people for even the simplest things, since I have always been fiercely independent.

My journey is not over yet, and my arms are not fully recovered due to permanent fibrous scarring in the veins. I am an art teacher and artist, so the use of my arms and hands is a critical part of my every day life.  I am fighting to get back out there to run and enjoy the great outdoors. I need to reclaim all the parts of my life that bring me joy and peace.

I don’t know that if I had heard of other extreme athletes getting clots, I might have recognized my symptoms. After all, my doctors did not, and the emergency room was ready to send me home.  After all the appointments and research, though, I know now that what I was experiencing are classic VTOS symptoms. I am incredibly lucky that a clot never dislodged and caused further damage or even death. My biggest message here is to listen to your body and fight for your care. My road to recovery has been long and full of up and downs, just like a 100-mile race.  I just keep moving forward, listening to my body, so I can live the life I was meant to-- climbing mountains and running through the trails in Colorado.

To keep my spirits up after surgery and help my recovery, I recently power-walked 200 miles to complete the Destination Trail 200-mile challenge with my boyfriend. This summer, even in the midst of COVID, I was able to get back out and run a marathon that reaches 13,191 feet of elevation. To make it even more poignant, I summited the pass with a fellow blood clot survivor. I also completed the Leadville 100,000 vertical foot challenge in 8 weeks over the summer. I attempted a 50-miler, but my arm swelling is still an issue. I had to take frequent breaks, but even with that I completed 38 miles and 4,000 feet of gain that day with the help of some amazing friends.

Although my life has changed, I am now part of an amazing community of survivors. I know that my story may be able to help others. I am adapting to my new circumstances, and I will be back on the Leadville 100 trail and other ultra-races courses sharing the story that Blood Clot Survivors can and will do ANYTHING their hearts desire. So, get back out there and follow your dreams!"

Proud Mom with daugther on top of Mt. Belford @ 14,203 ft.

No question that Donna will indeed get out there again and conquer those ultra-marathon trails one step at the time.  It is so important that you advocate for yourself if things don't feel right.  In this case Donna's persistence saved her life and it can save yours as well.  The road to full recovery is unique for everyone and you must travel it with patience and determination.  NEVER STOP GOING FORWARD even if at times you have to take a step back.

Thanks you for reading.

The Clot Buster  

September Athlete of the Month

September...

Really September...?

How are we doing?

Are we still having all of the emotions below all at once...?

FEAR
ANGER
FRUSTRATION
ANXIETY
INSPIRATION
REFLECTION
CAUTION
AWARENESS
SADNESS
EMPATHY
LOVE
OPPORTUNITY

It has bee a rollercoaster of a journey day after day so far and for sure I am experience all of the emotions listed above.

But we are overcoming all of the challenges and that should make us proud.  Getting through each day is an accomplishement simple because there is a lot going on.

Not only we are overcoming but also blossoming.  NBCA (STOPTHECLOT.org) sure is on that trajectory as we begin preparation for our first VIRTUAL 5K to STOPTHECLOT.  

Very excited about being able to participate in this event while sporting the CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots.  

Join us virtually to run, walk, jog or even cycle to support NBCA. Participate from any location at any level of athletic ability. Run your own race at your own pace and time it yourself. Register here: https://bit.ly/3io2qWg #stoptheclot

BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING

And because blood clot survivors can do anything here is another story of a blood clots survivor that for sure will INSPIRE YOU.

Matt's story comes to us through NBCA's websiste... Please read on and learn from Matt's experience with blood clots as I am certain that you will find it very interesting.

https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/not-easy-matts-story/

It is definitely possible to get back to normal... or almost normal after your clotting incident.  Being aware of your body and giving it time is by far the best strategy for your body and mind to heal.

Keep it up and never give up.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

August Athlete of the Month

Let's take a trip out West.

Let's go to Colorado.

I miss the mountains.  I am a big fan of mountains and during my time in Colorado I enjoyed every second of the beauty of that place.  It is truly one of a kind and I am very lucky to have had the chance to be out there playing the mountains.  Someday I will be back for a long stretch to get back on the trails and head up.

We are also very lucky this month because get the opportunity to meet a blood clot survivor who lives and plays all around the mountains. 

Dan has been kind enough to share his story of survival with us and for that we are very thankful. Every single story is unique and provides a perspective that can make a difference for someone who is starting their very own survival story.

For sure read this story because it is well worth it!

Read on...

What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? 

Bike riding is my preference.  I used to road ride and mountain bike, but doing less mountain biking and more gravel riding.  My doctor said maybe mountain biking is not a good choice at this time while being on blood thinners, anyway.  My wife and I like to hike and fish as well.

What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?

I am just a weekend warrior, but every year I enjoyed riding charity events for different causes like 65 miles for Cystic Fibrosis and the only century I would do each year for Craig Hospital, which treats spinal and brain injuries.  My wife and I like to take vacations up in the mountains of Colorado and neighboring states 2 to 3 times a year, and each vacation I usually plan a bike ride that will take me up some mountain pass or across some gorgeous scenery, and that usually motivates me to ride a bit more before.

Tells about your clotting episode.  Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? 

I had arthroscopic microfracture knee surgery in late December 2017, which meant no weight bearing for 8 weeks.  About 3 weeks after the surgery I had what felt like a cramp in my right calf.  I thought it was just the way I had been holding my leg while on crutches, and tried to massage out the cramp.  The next night the same thing, so my wife suggested contacting my brother, who is a PA for an orthopedic surgeon, and he said I need to get in asap for an ultrasound and said to “STOP rubbing it!”  I did an ultrasound at a lab in the hospital, and afterward, the tech that did it said to go take a seat I was not going anywhere.  I spoke with the doctor who did my knee surgery and he said it was rare to get a blood clot with the type of surgery I had.   Rare or not, I ended up walking the 100 feet to the ER and checked in.  The ER Dr asked what was up, and when I said a blood clot, she replied “I had not just a blood clot, but a good clot from below my calf to mid-thigh.”  They gave me a prescription for Eliquis and set me home.  I think it is a bit odd that you go to the ER, they worry about the clot and the implications, but in the end hand you a piece of paper and say go get the prescription filled.  Six weeks later I had another ultrasound and the clot was gone and I was off the Eliquis.  I couldn’t do much running on my knee, but biking was no problem. 

Things were fine until around Memorial Day this year, which was just over 2 years since my first blood clot.  March and April I was getting out with my wife and trying to do a lot of walking , and then in April and May I was riding a lot, 3 to 4 times per week.  In the between those bouts of exercise I do sit at a desk for my work, and am not sure if that is the problem, but around Memorial Day I noticed my right leg seemed a bit bigger than the left. I wasn’t too concerned, at the time, thinking maybe the heat and biking had just caused some swelling.  In hind sight I might have had some minor calf aches and pain behind the knee, but chalked them up to running or something else. I just didn’t imagine another blood clot.  If I was going to get a clot it should have been back in January and February when I wasn’t doing anything.  After a couple weeks I spoke with my brother again, and the same scenario took place.  Went for an ultrasound in the lab at the hospital, this time the tech said she couldn’t collapse the vein, and then I did the 100 foot walk down to the same ER as before where they gave me another prescription for Eliquis.  When I saw my PCP the following week he referred me to a hematologist and said maybe I would be on blood thinners the rest of my life.  I thought he was crazy and that the hematologist would surely not recommend something like that.  My dad was on blood thinners starting around age 89 until he passed away 4 years later, but he was 89 and basically in a wheel chair when he started them.  I was 58 and somewhat active.  The hematologist did every test imaginable, and in the end said there was no genetic link, or any other reason I should have blood clots, AND he said I would be on blood thinners the rest of my life.  In baseball you get 3 strikes, but he said with blood clots you only get two, especially when one is unprovoked as my second one was.  I was shocked, and while there can be side effects from blood thinners, they don’t seem to be on the same par as some of those on tv commercials that have a huge list of side effects.  My doctor basically said to be careful, especially with anything that might cause head trauma.  If I were to mountain bike it would be on non technical trails, but other than that, nothing has really changed as far as my activities go.  My potential MMA cage fighting career probably wasn’t going to happen anyway!

How much are you getting out doing your sport?  

I try and ride my bike 3-4 times per week.  I do try and take some walk breaks during the day as well, and maybe can get back to doing some running, which has been on hiatus due to some chronic calf strains, not blood clots.

What is your favorite food?  

After a hot ride there is nothing I like more than eating some cold watermelon or cantaloupe.  The melons grown in southeast Colorado are especially flavorful due to the hot days and cool nights and when they come to market in August they are hard to beat.

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 ?

I read others stories and mine is pretty mundane in comparison.  My clots were limited basically to leg swelling and cramps, nothing that prevented me from getting out and exercising.  Sometimes it’s difficult for me to understand why I got the clots as I didn’t do anything that millions of people every day don’t do.  I sat at my desk, maybe sometimes for too long, but it wasn’t like I was on an 8 hour plane ride.  Maybe if I had set the timer to go off every 2 hours and got up and walked things would be different, but for whatever reason I just think I was prone to get them.  Fortunately, as I said earlier, the drugs seem so much safer with fewer side effects than a lot of others on the market.  My doctor’s main concern is the head and taking a hit on it. He said we can replace other parts, but not the head.  I have not ridden a bike in 30 years without a helmet, and I wouldn’t ride across the street without one even before this.  My helmets have MIPS, but if they didn’t I would buy new ones that did just for my own piece of mind.  I figure every bit helps.  When I do the Cystic Fibrosis ride and the ride to help patients at Craig Hospital with their brain or spinal injury, I realize what I have gone through is not nearly as debilitating as what others endure every day. 

Unfortunately I have to agree with Dan that his MMA career will have to take a back seat... but his career in adventures is far from over.  I very much enjoy the resolution that I feel on this write up where this incident will not be stopping him.

If you are out West in Colorado be on the lookout for the CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots since it could be Dan who is out there representing for all of us.

Thank you reading and be safe out there!

The Clot Buster

July Athlete of the Month

This continues to be an unique time in our lives.  It seems like we are going a bit backwards on our attempts to overcome the challenges of the virus.  

We are currently and simultaneously experiencing a broad range of emotions and feelings that it is not dissipating.  

Everything is hitting us all at once including the summer heat. 

FEAR
ANGER
FRUSTRATION
ANXIETY
INSPIRATION
REFLECTION
CAUTION
AWARENESS
SADNESS
EMPATHY
LOVE
OPPORTUNITY

If you had to choose one from the list above, which one would it be? Why?  From last month to this month I will continue to stick with my previous selection as explained below.  However, I also have to add HOPE to the list above.  I am not sure how I missed it from last time but it is certainly part of the foundation of any resolution of our feelings during this time. 

From my perspective I would select INSPIRATION.  Without a question I am influenced by the purpose of this blog "Inspire to Overcome"...  However, it also applies to the broad range of circumstances that are currently affecting us.  I want to believe that from all of the social unrest and after a great deal of listening to learn along with reflection we can all be inspired to change in the way that makes sense to you that afford healing to those who need it.

I want to believe that Inspiration can help you overcome the fear and anxiety you could potentially feel because of the current situation. 

This blog, for more than 10 years now, has attempted to convey the message of Inspiration.  Learning from others, from their experiences can yield a powerful message that can help you or anyone really overcome physical and mental challenges.

Given the current conditions  all around us I feel that continuing to do this post has some value because blood clots are not going to wait for the social unrest or the pandemic to end.  It feels strange to try to do this on a time like this as it seems out of place.  But then again it could me a massive difference for someone who could be reading the personal account being shared on this month's edition of the blog.

July's edition of Athlete of the Month post brings us someone who is not letting his blood clotting incident define him.  He continues to pursue a lifestyle that allows him to stay healthy, teach others to be healthy, do what he loves, and even push the envelope to sign up for an incredible challenge in NYC.  Please read on to learn more about CHARLES and his life beyond blood clots.

*** What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? 

Still at 41 years old I play baseball. For 14 years I have been managing a men’s league team called the South Florida Beach Bums. It’s aimed to promote a healthy and fit lifestyle for adults. I have players 18-40+ years old, all races that are bonded by the sport! I also do CrossFit and run! 

*** How did you get started in that sport? 

I’ve played baseball since I was a kid into college. After college I decided to create the Bums so that I can mentor young adults via the game. I also ran cross country in college and found it as an excellent opportunity to focus and clear my mind 

*** What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?

* NYC marathon, Nov 2020

* I ran a half marathon in 2015. 

*** Tells about your clotting episode.  Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? 

In 2012 I was misdiagnosed multiple times, doctors telling me I had a calf strain. I was I. 2-a-day workouts preparing for my 1st Vegas trip and pool parties. flew to Europe and felt awkward. 6 weeks later I was in the hospital w DVT and PE. After a year on Coumadin, I was healthy! NOPE. Another DVT put me on Xarelto for life 

*** When were you able to get back into your activity?  How did it feel that first time?   

I went to the hospital in Aug of 2012. I was cleared to run again Jan 1 of 2013. That was the HARDEST AND WORST 1-mile run ever!!!

*** What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? 

I rock my polka-for tech shirt for any major accomplishment! 

*** How much are you getting out doing your sport?  

Before Covid I was playing baseball every Sunday. I do CrossFit in my garage 5x week and run 3x week!

***What is your favorite food?  

Mac and cheese

*** If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? 

I love Italy. But for me, any baseball related trip! 

*** 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? 

Don’t think too much. Educate oneself at wwww.stoptheclot.org and also be vulnerable to our group. Overcoming these DVT/PE isn’t easy but we have all been there!

Thank you Charles for your willingness to share your story!

Here is hoping that you get the opportunity to take on the challenges of the NYC Marathon while wearing the CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots!  

May this summer brings you the joy of some baseball for both playing and watching.  Someday we will return to normal but for now we need to do our best to deal with our "new" normal.

Stay Safe and Be Well during this time and always!

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

June Athlete of the Month

This is a unique time in our lives.

We are currently and simultaneously experiencing a broad range of emotions and feelings.

Everything is hitting us all at once.

FEAR
ANGER
FRUSTRATION
ANXIETY
INSPIRATION
REFLECTION
CAUTION
AWARENESS
SADNESS
EMPATHY
LOVE
OPPORTUNITY

There probably are many others that I failed to capture.

If you had to choose one from the list above, which one would it be? Why?

From my perspective I would select INSPIRATION.  Without a question I am influenced by the purpose of this blog "Inspire to Overcome"...  However, it also applies to the broad range of circumstances that are currently affecting us.  I want to believe that from all of the social unrest and after a great deal of listening to learn along with reflection we can all be inspired to change in the way that makes sense to you that afford healing to those who need it.

I want to believe that Inspiration can help you overcome the fear and anxiety you could potentially feel because of the looming pandemic.

This blog, for more than 10 years now, has attempted to convey the message of Inspiration.  Learning from others, from their experiences can yield a powerful message that can help you or anyone really overcome physical and mental challenges.

Given the current conditions  all around us I feel that continuing to do this post has some value because blood clots are not going to wait for the social unrest or the pandemic to end.  It feels strange to try to do this on a time like this as it seems out of place.  But then again it could me a massive difference for someone who could be reading the personal account being shared on this month's edition of the blog.

The story for this month's post comes from STOPTHECLOT.org and it is one that you will certainly appreciate.

Please read on and get INSPIRED TO OVERCOME just like all of the Survivors do everyday!

Here is hoping that we make it through to the other side.

Keep overcoming every day!

Thank you fore reading,

The Clot Buster

May Athlete of the Month

There is hope during this time.

There are survival stories from this crisis.

This blog has looked after the stories of Blood Clot Survivors but for this edition we are making a bit of an exception.  Sorry this time around we are taking a break from the CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots. Please read on and you will understand.

For this month's edition of this blog post it is very prudent to share the story of Dr. Scott who is a member of the MASAB (Medical & Scientific Advisory Board) for STOPTHECLOT.org 

This is certainly a story of survival but it is not from blood clots.

Although Dr. Scott is involved with the care of patients with blood clots as well as advising STOPTHECLOT.org his recent experience of survival is very much relevant to the current crisis we are all involved with across the globe.  

It is difficult to imagine what Dr. Scott went through and even more difficult to comprehend is the magnitude of people going through and episode like his.  He is definitely one of the lucky ones to be able to come out and tell their story.

This article I am referencing here is from the Detroit Free Press.  

Please take a moment to read it because it is definitely worth it.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/04/29/henry-ford-doctor-ventilator-beats-covid-19-came-close-death/3041655001/

There is hope indeed during this time.

Although this has been a long and strange time we will make it through this.  There is no question about that.

One day at the time as everyone is playing a role and your role makes a difference.

Keep hanging in there and NEVER GIVE UP!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

April Athlete of the Month

Here is hoping that this post finds you well.

For sure this is a challenging time for all of us.

It is hard to comprehend the magnitude of what we are going through and attempt to find some normalcy on our new collective normal.

It is scary.

But the sun will come out tomorrow with a new day and new possibilities.  

One way or another we will find a way out.

BE STRONG, BE PATIENT, and LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

In an attempt to find some of that normalcy I just mentioned this month's CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot Athlete of the Month is a good one.

We are very lucky to have PAUL be willing to share his story with us.  We never had anything like this on this blog over the 10 years of sharing stories.  Without a question Paul is involved with an unique sport, which I very much admire. 

There is no question in mind that BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!

Read on and be inspired...

What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?  *   My favorite sport to compete in and to watch is winter biathlon, which combines cross country skiing and rifle marksmanship.  I’ve been fortunate to be able to compete in North America, Europe and Scandinavia over the past 10 years.  If you’ve watched the sport during the Winter Olympics, I can tell you that it is definitely harder than it looks!  To stay fit in the summer, I enjoy iron distance triathlon and am currently preparing for Ironman Wisconsin 70.3.  What I enjoy about these two (or 5) activities is challenges that come with preparing for the variations in disciplines

How did you get started in that sport?  *   I’ve tried virtually every sport until I found something that I really enjoyed and felt competent enough to be competitive.  Living in Minnesota, I cross country skied in high school and college with moderate success.  The shooting aspect came later in life after I made a ridiculous proclamation while watching the Winter Olympics that “I think I could do that, it doesn’t look that hard”.  Those I said it to challenged me to follow give it a try, and that is how it began.


What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?(Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did)
  *   I competed in the World Masters Games in Innsbruck, Austria this past January.  Unfortunately my results were less than stellar as I ran into some unbelievable logistics challenges in getting a rifle from the US to Austria.  Too much energy was spent over the period of too many days!  Right now we are in the midst of battling the coronavirus so in the short term training is on pause.  According to the documentation that I am seeing, blood thinners put me in the “high risk” category so getting too run down seems like a bad option for me.


Tells about your clotting episode.  Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?
 *   In January of 2017, my dad was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota getting cancer treatment.  While he was resting, I would head out and ski on the local trails.  I noticed a sharp pain near my left shoulder and wrote it off as a pulled muscle.  I went to urgent care that afternoon and was prescribed some anti-inflammatory meds.  That same evening, the pain became intense and I went to the ER.  A heavy dose of morphine was administered to take away the pain.  I was able to sleep through the night, and the next day felt better.  After a day of normal activity, including 2 hours of skiing alone in the woods, I laid down for the night and the pain came back.  I wrote it off as sleeping wrong the night before.  That night, I woke to not being able to breath.  My initial thought was “so this is how it ends”.  An ambulance was called and I was taken to Mayo by ambulance.  The D-dimer test in the ER revealed clotting.  I was admitted to St Mary’s hospital where I spent the next 6 days being given Lovenox injections and under the haze of narcotics that kept the pain down.  Up until this time, I had no idea what Pulmonary Embolism was.  The real wake up call came when I returned home, and had my first follow up with my local doctor.  He and I have typically have very light conversations, but not this time.  He walked in with a thick folder of papers and a very serious look on his face.  His opening words were “You are lucky to be alive”.  He went over my results, including my CT scan where we stopped counting the clots when we reached 13 clots.  I spent the next 6 weeks at home and a couple times each week felt a peculiar pain in my chest and immediately headed to the ER.  Sometimes we would go in and sometimes wait in the parking lot and see what happened.

When were you able to get back into your activity?  How did it feel that first time?
 *   At 4 weeks post PE I started to walk on the treadmill.  My first walk I had a nurse by my side.  PE’s can really get into your head and there were feelings of fear, panic and guilt that seemed to be constant.  Once I started to work out again, the fatigue was at levels I had not experienced before.  I would go for a 3 mile run and then sleep for the next 14 hours.  My longest continuous sleep was 16 hours.  Most of my training was done in my home gym as I didn’t want to get out on the trails or road and have an incident.  Throughout the process, I became a student of clotting.  I would read everything that I could find to understand what my body and mind where going through.  I made a decision to stay on coumadin potentially forever, even though testing revealed that I have no preexisting conditions that make it likely I will ever have another clot.  6 month post PE, I completed a sprint triathlon, which was like winning an Olympic medal.

What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? 
  *   For my first triathlon post PE, I think my family bought Roland’s entire stock of polka dot shirts!

How much are you getting out doing your sport?  
  *   I am back to where I was, doing approximately 15 hours per week at 6 days per week.  The long day is in the 4 hour range.

What is your favorite food?  Either generally or after a workout.  
  *   I have never met a cookie that I did not like.  Frozen cookies are my favorite followed by cookies right out of the oven.

If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?
 *   I have been extremely fortunate that my job has allowed me to travel the last 20 years.  Nice, France is probably my most favorite place as the southern coast of France offers great cycling opportunities along the shoreline or into the Alpes.  Finland is my favorite place to cross country ski as it is such a big part of their culture.

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
 *   Be patient!  Read all you can about clots.  The medical profession does a wonderful job of helping, make sure you share with them everything that you possibly can.  Listen to your body, it knows what it needs.

How cool is this? 

The Biathlon from the Winter Olympics is by far one of my favorite sports to watch.  Who can say that they have DVR'd whatever broadcasts available on NBCSN about biathlon for this year's World Cup?  It is truly a fascinating sport to me.  I would love to try it someday and I think Paul for sure would be a great teacher... I just hope that he is patient with me because I have to learn everything... 

Blood Clot Survivors for sure can do anything.  Even Winter Biathlon...!

Thank you fore reading,

The Clot Buster