HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Here we go 2022 - Who is ready?
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.
Do you have any new year's resolutions?
I have a very simple one... To wear my CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots 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.
2022 will also see the arrival of some new CLOT BUSTER #StopTheCLot polka-dot 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...
Speaking of going places... Did you know that the CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots 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!!!
BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
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!!!
Read on and get going!
What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?
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.
How did you get started in that sport?
Middle school cross country.
What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?
Qualifying for the Boston marathon in my age group during the London Marathon
Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?
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.
When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time?
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.
What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?
On running shoes have turned into my favorite gear for running. Love these things!
How much are you getting out doing your sport?
5-6 days a week now
What is your favorite food?
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.
If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?
We love traveling. My favorite place to go is Mallorca, Spain. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Lots of running and hiking there.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NEVER STOP GOING FORWARD!
Thank you for reading,
The Clot Buster