February Athlete of the Month

Where is the month of February going? 

Did the Super Bowl just happen? 

CONGRATULATIONS to the Kansas Chiefs and their Blood Clot Survivor Team Member TREY SMITH! 

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.

With February going by so fast I can certainly look towards March and the fact that it is BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH. 

STOPTHECLOT.org will be very active during the month to promote the message of awareness for all.

The effort does not stop to create awareness against blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

From my side the CLOT BUSTER @TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots 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.

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 KIM is going to be just as Fantastic and Inspiring. 

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. 

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.

THANK YOU Kim for sharing your story with all of us!

Keep the inspiration going!

https://donate.stoptheclot.org/fundraiser/3838397

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?).

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 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!

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.

Being active is an important part of my life – running, biking and even now swimming helps me stay focused on living a healthy lifestyle.

BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!

Believe in yourself and listen to what your body let's you do. You will accomplish everything!

NEVER STOP GOING FORWARD!

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster