May Athlete of the Month

As I was looking through the www.STOPTHECLOT.org website I came across the following profile article that sent chills down my spine...

I have not had the opportunity to meet KARA KING - CLOT BUSTER MAY Athlete of the Month, but if she and her friends are working to get a STOP THE CLOT 5K race organized in order to spread the word and create awareness she qualifies as SURVIVOR and an ATHLETE in my book.

Please read Kara's story below and if you are in Austin, TX checkout this event which I would love to do... Does Southwest fly to Austin...!?!? Can I get a deal if I bring my polka-dots !?!?!

"September of 2010 in Austin, was busy in the King household. The kids had just started a new school year, I was neck deep in volunteer work at school, and I was teaching cooking classes on fall cooking techniques. We were so busy that I never stopped to think about the weird pains that started affecting my body. The first occurred when I awoke with a sharp stabbing pain in my left chest. I did not feel any shortness of breath, but I felt pain when I took a deep breath. When my chest pain persisted for a few hours, I called my doctor, who said it was just a pinched nerve, and to take a muscle relaxant, which didn’t help. I was miserable for 2 more days, and then felt the same stabbing pain on the other side of my chest. I immediately called my doctor again. His assessment was that I was straining my right side to compensate for the pinched nerve on the left. The doctor again said to keep taking muscle relaxants, even though I told him that they were not having any effect.

I knew something wasn’t right. I even asked my doctor during our phone conversation whether I could be having a pulmonary embolism (PE). I knew my symptoms were classic for a PE, because I have an undergraduate degree in biomedical science. His answer was “You don’t have a PE, take the muscle relaxants, and you’ll feel better in a few days.” I listened to my doctor’s advice, and did not seek a second opinion. I should have trusted my own instincts and gone to the emergency room.

Like we all do, I didn’t spend too much time thinking about things, just got busy with my daily life as best I could and tried to ignore the pain. I decided to go for a walk to try to “work out” the pinched nerve after my second call to my doctor. During my walk, I felt winded and noticed that my left leg felt very tired, heavy, and it took a lot of effort to move it. It was a 95 degree day so I told myself I was dehydrated. Later that night, my leg felt like I pulled a muscle, and it woke me during the night. I took more muscle relaxants without relief.

The following morning began like any routine day. I put my 2 little boys on the bus for school. My 4 year old daughter was eating breakfast as she watched cartoons, and I was drinking a cup of coffee and paying bills.

I had gotten up to get ready to run some errands, and all of a sudden, my leg stopped moving. I literally couldn’t lift it or bend it. I looked down and was shocked at what I saw: my left leg was purple and twice the size of my right! I screamed so loud that my husband, who works from home, came running.

It was at that moment that all my symptoms “clicked.” I knew I had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and that I was right about having a PE. My husband, Ben, rushed me to the nearest emergency room (ER), with our daughter in tow. In retrospect, I realize that an ambulance would have been a wiser choice in case my symptoms worsened enroute, but we thought we’d get there faster by car, and we were in a panic. I was put through a series of tests, including an ultrasound and chest CT in the ER.

When the official diagnosis came in, both my husband and I were terrified. I had a blood clot that completely blocked the length of my left leg, and had PEs in both of my lungs. I was taken to ICU, because I was at extremely high risk for the clot to break off and travel within the next 24 hours. Because I already had 2 clots in my lungs we know the DVT was breaking apart, and the fear was that another break could occur. The doctors saw the first 24 hours as critical, and let me know, in no uncertain terms, that I could die at any moment. The fear gripped me and it was difficult to remain calm, especially because my sweet little girl was so frightened. Thoughts were racing through my mind. I was feeling upset that I had told my sons “see you this afternoon” instead of “goodbye” in the morning rush, and now I was in a situation that might prevent me from watching them grow up. I wondered if my wonderful husband would cope if I didn’t make it home. I was terrified knowing that my next breath might be my last.

I spent 5 days in the hospital, 3 in the ICU. My recovery has been long, slow, and painful. I decided I wanted to find another doctor, so I did research and found a hematologist, someone who knew how to treat DVTs. I waited 3 weeks for an appointment, but it was worth the wait. I was in intense pain to the point that I couldn’t walk, and I was taking pain pills around the clock. She put me on low molecular weight heparin injections instead of oral blood thinners, and the improvement in my symptoms was dramatic. The swelling in my leg decreased, and I stopped pain medicine within 10 days. Nevertheless, I still had a long recovery ahead, because I also developed a pleural effusion and lung infarction on my right side, both very painful. My hematologist referred me to a vascular surgeon, because I was still feeling pain and heaviness in my leg after 4 months.
The vascular surgeon diagnosed May-Thurner Syndrome, which is a compression of my iliac vein. The compression caused my blood to pool behind my iliac vein, and caused blood to clot in my abdomen and left leg. I had surgery in February 2011 to place a stent to open the collapsed vein. The vascular surgeon discovered an extensive clot in my abdomen, and he inserted three times as much stent as he anticipated.

Since then, the blood flow in my leg is much better. The heaviness is gone and I’ve resumed cooking for my catering business, without having to rest every 20 minutes. I almost feel normal again. I feel like it’s important to note that my chest pain came before I felt any discomfort in my leg. Had the 2 clots that went to my lungs been any bigger, I would have died without every having symptoms of a blood clot.

It’s been a long road, and I will never fully heal. My femoral vein is damaged permanently, and my emotional scars will be tough to overcome. I was depressed, scared, and convinced that at any moment I would stop breathing right after my diagnosis. I held my kids constantly and cried because I couldn’t cook their dinner, attend their sports games, or even take them upstairs to bed. As time went on, I was able to climb the stairs again, and trek out to the soccer field, but my fear of leaving my children persists. Even though I don’t have a clotting disorder, I will be on some form of blood thinner for the rest of my life because of my May-Thurner Syndrome. I have learned to make everyday count, to make sure my children and husband know I love them, and to fight this clot with everything I have.

My husband and I, along with our best friends David and Jill Mapes, are organizing Austin’s First Annual Stop The Clot® Race. I am determined to raise awareness about signs and symptoms of DVT and PE, so that no one else will wait a week with chest pain and leg pain because a doctor dismissed their symptoms.

Blood clots kill more people every year than car accidents, yet there are driving rules and seatbelts for safety. Very few people know the signs and symptoms of a DVT or PE, and I am bound and determined to change that. I want to help raise money for people to increase this awareness, for better research in this field, and for those who may be financially strapped by a blood clot. Even though fear lurks constantly in the back of my mind, I want to show my clot that it awakened my spirit to fight and to Stop The Clot®.

For more information on the Austin TX, Stop the Clot race, go to www.pathfinderracing.com"

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

By now you have seen my posts about a clot survivor determined to cover ALL of the 26.2 Miles of the Flying PIG MARATHON.

On the first weekend of May TOM WISEMAN donned the STOP THE CLOT - Clot Buster polka-dots and conquered all of those 26.2 Miles to show everyone out there that even after suffering from a clotting incident it is possible to complete the marathon!

I don't know about you but I am sure inspired to get out there and continue to prepare and spread the word to all who is willing to listen.

Tom - THANK YOU for the dedication and inspiration!

But don't fear! I just got word that Tom is not done yet... he has decided to take on his next challenge head on and even set a time goal for himself that looks to improve on his time from the Flying Pig.

Tom we will all see at the AIR FORCE MARATHON in Dayton, OH!!!

All Clot Busters out there will be rooting again for you!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Flying Pig Marathon >>> TOM WISEMAN - CLOT BUSTER in ACTION!!!

Hey Cincinnati!

Be in the lookout for some STOP THE CLOT Polka-dots out in the marathon course!

Mr. TOM WISEMAN will be walking the 26.2Miles sporting the CLOT BUSTER polka-dots!

If you see him give him some encouragement.

He is a survivor of blood clots and an example to all of us to keep going!

GOOD LUCK TOM!!!

Looking forward to hear how it goes!

You are an inspiration!

Thank You,

The Clot Buster

Photo Update from the Last Month

It is been a while since I posted some pictures...

I guess time just gets away from me and with the ability of cutting corners with 140 characters I am falling behind here...

Check out some pictures of what we have been doing lately...

10 Miller Race from early April...

My Birthday...

.

Easter...

Amazing times without a question.

I am very lucky that is for sure.

Looking forward to more pictures over the summer as we gear for a season of racing, STOP THE CLOT work spreading, fundraising, and more...!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

April Athlete of the Month

This month's feature of Athlete of the Month is taking us to the other spectrum of individuals who are not world class athletes but on their own right are making HUGE strides to beat and recover from their clotting incident.

April's Athlete of the Month has an inspiring story that I am very proud to share as it is very inspiring to me. As I find myself looking at what I can do this summer to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders I think of this person and what he has been through and where he is going. Knowing of his story of come-back makes the polka-dots on my jersey brighter and far more meaningful...

Please allow me to introduce to you Mr. TOM WISEMAN. As a blood clot survivor he is getting ready to tackle the FLYING PIG MARATHON in May and he is raising funds to help in the cause. Check out TOM's FUNDRAISING PAGE HERE.

Please read on below Tom's story and get inspired!

"My name is Tom Wiseman, and I am from Sidney, OH - born and raised. All of my life, with the exception of 4 years of college and a 6-year stint in Cincinnati, I have lived in my hometown. My college years were spent in Dayton at Wright State University, where I received my B.S. in Business, but more importantly received the love of my life, Lori Lynn Belmaggio from West Milton, OH. I have returned to college a couple of times, once for MBA classes at Wright State, and also at Edison State for technical training during the brief time I was working in sheet metal fabrication. I am currently pursuing my ChFC designation in an effort to enrich my career as a financial advisor. While none of this seems to have much to do with a DVT / PE story, it actually does. During my life, I have prided myself on being relatively educated, intelligent, and pretty health-conscious. Since high school, I have always continued my life's education and tried my best to keep myself in shape. In fact, right after high school I got into running, and completed many 5K's and a 10K. But as things got busier, I got away from running, but always tried to get back into it.

The years of 2001-2008 was filled with challenges, turmoil, failures, and perseverance. My family and I struggled with job changes, address changes, family and health issues, depression, and ultimately financial struggles. I bounced around from job to job in the financial industry - and ultimately worked in an industry for two years that I was not trained or educated in, moved back to Sidney from Cincinnati, my parents both became ill (however, they are TOUGHER THAN HELL - they are BOTH cancer survivors !!!), and we nearly lost everything because of the financial difficulties that were a compound affect of everything else. Although never clinically diagnosed, I am sure that I was suffering mental depression during a good period of that time, angry at myself for my lot in life. I was too smart for all of this to have happened to me !!! In hindsight, I was able to get through this time because of these primary reasons: My supportive wife (a weaker woman would have left my sorry butt), a supportive family, and my faith in my savior, Jesus Christ.

But regardless of all of that, my life changed forever in March of 2008. While working at the sheet metal factory (and during a time that I wasn't exactly taking care of myself at all), I noticed that my left leg was swelling and hurt alot behind my knee. I dismissed it as an injury, perhaps from jumping off of a forklift at work, or playing in a dodgeball tournament at the YMCA. When the swelling got worse, I tried to treat it with heat and cold. At the suggestion of my aunt, who is a nurse, I went to my doctor, who suggested I take a blood test at the hospital. It wasn't much more than 45 minutes later, and he ordered me to the ER. After a short stay, it was determined that I had a blood clot, but was SENT HOME with Lovenox and a small dosage of Coumadin.

I was told to stay off work for a couple of days and keep my leg elevated. During my time at home, the area near my lower lungs started to have sharp pains (which I had had before for a few months), and I just didn't feel right. I couldn't breathe. My wife, who is infinitely smarter than me, said "You don't feel well, do you?" After agreeing, she called my doctor, who ordered me to the ER again. It was then determined that I had massive DVT in my left leg and that the clotting had gone to my lungs, and had formed PE's all the way through my lungs. This was April 1st - April Fool's Day - how fitting. As I sit there in the ER, a team of doctors kept going past me with that "concerned look" on their faces. After giving several gallons of blood, having an ultrasound and a CAT scan, I was told that I may have to be put in the ICU. I had just turned 36.

36. ICU. Are you kidding? All the other troubles I had in the past 7 years paled in comparison to this. I had a wife and 4 children. What would they do? Interestingly enough, during this time I was being recruited by my current firm to return to the financial services industry. After contemplating the fact that I was so thankful I had enough life insurance that my family would be fine if I died, the choice to return to the career I knew was an easy one to make. I now had a story. I had my passion.

Fortunately, I was admitted to the telemetry unit, was drowned with heparin, and was released 3 days later. The PE's had all gone away, although I did have some slight tissue death in one of my lower lungs, but nothing to be concerned about. I will be a coumadin "lifer," because I have had DVT / PE and I tested positive for the Factor V Leiden protein. My left leg does swell slightly from time-to-time due to slight valve damage. But other than that, I am a healthy 39-year-old.

I have had my "wake up call." Now I want to help awaken the world to what I call the "silent killer." I was blessed. I got back to the ER in time - the head physician on duty that night had said that if I had waited another 24-36 hours, I probably would have died.

Everyone needs to know the dangers of DVT and clotting disorders, which is the indirect or direct cause of many deadly heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory-circulatory arrests.

I plan on living a long, full life - and I want to help raise awareness to prevent any unnecessary deaths or disorders associated with the Factor V Leiden condition, DVT, or PE. All of the things I have been through some would consider somewhat tragic or unfortunate. I feel exactly the opposite - I have been blessed to have experienced things that some people will never be able to experience. From having myriad difficulties, to raising a developmentally delayed child (our 8-year-old has an undiagnosed general delay), to having DVT / PE...I have been given the privilege of all of this - because God knows I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE IT ALL. Bring it. My motto: MOST EXCEL AT EXISTING...THE BEST EXIST TO EXCEL."

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Closing March as DVT Awareness Month

I've done what I could this fine month to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

The Clot Buster polka-dots sure are warming up to be racing this season. That is the time of the year when I really do my work to let as many people as possible know about the STOP THE CLOT message.

My racing schedule is taking shape and I invite to keep an eye on my "Racing Schedule" side bar for updates as to where the polka-dots will end up. For sure you know now that I am going to Canada to be racing. Should be a fun trip... First international trip for Junior who will get his first passport stamp!

Outside of the race in Canada I am trying to figure the next races of the year. I am excited about the opportunities but be sure that for the race in Canada I plan to fund raise again as it is been a while since I've done. My plan is to raise enough funds to get NEW BIKE JERSEYS and TRIATHLON JERSEYS manufactured and available to all with a donation to www.STOPTHECLOT.org

So, if you have suggestions of races I should send them my way. You never know when the Clot Buster polka-dots may heading to your town...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

March Athlete of the Month

By now you probably have already heard...

Multiple Tennis Grand Slam Champion SERENA WILLIAMS was treated earlier this week for a Pulmonary Embolism.

There is not much more I can say about this person since she is so well known thanks to her success both on and off the tennis court. It would be a privileage and an honor to meet her and pick her brain about her clotting incident. Unfortunately, I am sure that the last thing she wants to do at this point is talk to anyone let alone the Clot Buster.

I am still stunned about the news.

Just another example that anyone is vulnerable to blood clotting incidents.

I wish her nothing short of a FAST AND COMPLETE RECOVERY. I have no doubts that she will return to the court and prove once more that it is possible to survive a clotting incident. I am thankful that she received fast and accurate treatment which will help her in the long run.

It is ironic in many ways that story came to life in March which is DVT AWARENESS MONTH. I sorry that it is at her expense but the extra attention towards blood clots can only help to spread the word that much more.

Mrs. Serena Williams - GET BETTER SOON!!!

Just imagine if she was to compete in a tennis tournament with a red polka-dot outfit with STOP THE CLOT written some place.

The Clot Buster can surely dream...

Take some time to learn more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders. A great place to start can be www.STOPTHECLOT.org

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

MARCH is DVT AWARENESS MONTH

Pass on the word!

MARCH is DVT Awareness Month.

Learn about blood clots and blood clotting disorders. One place to start is www.STOPTHECLOT.org

Anyone can be affected by blood clots...

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT A STORY THAT I CAN'T BELIEVE...

Learn as much as you can because you simple don't know when it can come about.

SPREAD THE WORD!!!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Blood Clots in the News...

It is getting to be March Madness soon and this article I found on STOP THE CLOT's Facebook Group page is very fitting for the times ahead...

"CofC's Simmons still recovering recovering from clot;"

Although is not fun this is just another reminder that blood clots can affect anyone at any time.

Learn more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders at www.STOPTHECLOT.org

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

February Athelete of the Month

I came across February's Athlete of the Month by chance...

I read KAITLIN HAYWOOD's story as it was posted on the STOPTHECLOT Facebook page.

Please read on below the article I read and once more BE INSPIRED to enjoy life as it comes because we simply have no control as to what the next day will bring... (You can also read the article directly HERE).

"Twenty-year old Kaitlin Haywood, a junior at Southeast Missouri State University, was walking across campus last June when she started feeling ill. She made it inside Parker Hall, where she coaches a children's competitive gymnastics team, before passing out.
University staff called 911 and Kaitlin was rushed to the Emergency Department at Southeast Hospital. The ER physician, suspecting she may have a potentially fatal blood clot, ordered a CAT scan. Kaitlin was admitted to the Hospital and placed in ICU. Test results determined she had pulmonary emboli -- blood clots in the lungs. "I had multiple, massive blood clots," Kaitlin recalls.

Her condition deteriorated rapidly, according to Mark Dalton, DO, a Southeast adult hospitalist. "Kaitlin had a fast heart rate, and her blood pressure and oxygen levels began to drop. An echocardiogram report showed the right side of her heart was failing and she needed urgent treatment," Dr. Dalton says.

David A. Law, MD, of Cardiovascular Consultants and the Southeast Hospital Medical Staff, performed catheter-directed thrombolysis, a minimally invasive procedure which likely saved Kaitlin's life. "Before this treatment was available, we usually had to perform surgery," Dr. Law says. "This approach allows us to deliver clot-dissolving medication directly to the clot."

Kaitlin's condition improved, and within 48 hours her vital signs were normal. James C. Mosley III, MD, of Southeast Hematology/Oncology, ultimately found the pulmonary emboli were caused by Antiphopholipid Antibody Syndrome -- a rare autoimmune disorder that carries an increased risk of blood clots. "The treatment is long-term, including lifelong, use of anticoagulants (blood-thinners) to reduce the risk of recurrent potentially life-threatening clotting complications," Dr. Mosley says.

Kaitlin says the anxiety of initially not knowing what caused the blood clots and later the realization that she would be on medication the rest of her life were overwhelming. But she adds that the doctors and Hospital staff kept her informed and made her feel comfortable.

An exercise science major, Kaitlin was a competitive gymnast from ages 6 to 18. Kaitlin says that although she can no longer physically do gymnastics because of the risk of internal bleeding, she enjoys working with kids and plans to continue coaching. "I like passing my knowledge on," she says."

To me is very important to read that the doctors who took care of Kaitlin suspected that a blood clot was causing the issue and then tailored their treatment to save her life. Any hesitation from the doctors would have been tragic in this case. So, CONGRATULATIONS to all the doctors and staff who truly were able to identify the situation quickly and resolved it with a happy ending.

She may not be competing any more in gymnastics but she is involved in what she truly loves which is another example of individuals thriving even after they suffered from a clotting incident.

Get inspired!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Second Annual 5k Walk to Promote Blood Clot Awareness Month

The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) and the Association of Black Women Attorneys (ABWA) sponsor a 5K walk to promote blood clot awareness on Sunday March 27, 2011 in Brooklyn, NY.

I so wish that I could be there taking part with all of the polka-dot wearing Clot Busters of NYC.

Someday I will find my way out there for sure.

In the mean time I think that it is time that Columbus, OH gets an event like this organized. If not in 2011 perhaps in 2012 it can come together. It is time to get busy with this.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

January Athlete of the Month

2011 begins and with it another opportunity to meet blood clot survivors that can inspires with their stories of overcoming and pushing through.

Let me start the new year with a story I came across while browsing my endless backlog of magazines... At this time I am still catching up with October and November issues... I am not really sure how I fell this far behind but that is where I stand.

At any rate, reading through the Triathlete Magazine's Kona Review I found the story of BRIAN ORINGDERFF and I about fell out of my seat.

Brian not only is a survivor of a very severe clotting incident but also a survior of a very personal tragedy that pushed him hard to a dark plance from which is very difficult to return from. But then a stroke of luck changed his life and brought him back... "It's been a challenging year for Brian Oringderff of Canton, but training for a grueling triathlon is giving him the physical and emotional strength to carry on.

Oringderff is preparing for the Ford Ironman World Championship, which is on Oct. 9 in Kona, Hawaii. The race includes a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike race and a 26.2-mile run. Competitors have 17 hours to finish the competition.

Athletes gain entry into the race by one of three ways: earning a slot at one of the qualifying events conducted worldwide, being selected in the Ironman Lottery or winning a slot through Ironman's charitable eBay Auction.

Oringderff, 40, a former college athlete who has participated in shorter triathlons, won his spot through the lottery.

In 2010, 7,339 people entered the Ironman lottery, which awarded 150 slots to U.S. citizens and 50 slots to international athletes.

"I knew I wouldn't have another chance to do this," said Oringderff, who manages a group of technicians for Hewlett-Packard, as to why he tried for a spot.

The race is helping him concentrate on something other than the devastating events of the past year.

Oringderff had shoulder surgery last August. Two weeks after the surgery, he started feeling a strange pain in his calf. He went to the emergency room and learned he had two large blood clots in his left calf.

Four blood clots had broken off and traveled through his body and lodged into his lungs, a condition, called a pulmonary embolism, which is fatal 33 percent of the time. As a result, he was sidelined from participating in or training for triathlons.

His spirits were held up by the prospect of the birth of his first child, a son named Jet. He was to be born in April but, due to circumstances doctors couldn't explain, Jet was born in January - 14 weeks premature.

Jet was improving for six days, Oringderff said, but developed sepsis and died on the seventh day.

Oringderff's wife, Denise, said learning he was selected in April for Ironman has been a "second chance" for him.

"It would have been easy for him to sit and mope around," she said. "He is taking it to another level. I couldn't be any more proud of him."

Focusing on the race, Oringderff said, has been good for him.

"For me, it has brought me full circle," he said.

Oringderff devotes 15 to 17 hours a week in intense training. He has worked with a triathlon coaching company, Endurance Concepts, to get in shape.

"I have been through so much," Oringderff said. "It has brought me back to good health and a good state of mind."

Catie Case, public relations coordinator for World Triathlon Corporation, which organizes the race, said they were unaware of Oringderff's circumstances, "but like so many of our athletes, he is truly an inspiration."

Oringderff said he didn't set out to inspire others, but is happy at the idea of others gaining hope from his journey.

"You have to move on," he said. "I honestly think my name was chosen for a reason.""

This is wihout a question an amazing story.

"Anything is Possible!" as the slogan from Ironman says.

Brian if you ever get around reading this post - THANK YOU for the inspiration. Maybe some day we can get you in some CLOT BUSTER polka-dots so that you can spread the word too about the dangers of blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

Get Inspired...!

Back in July I had the chance to feature BRIAN VICKERS as an Athlete of the Month for 2010.

He is definitely a story of come back that I've been following for a while now and one that is sure to inspire all of us.

How does a NASCAR driver come back to race again? How does he get the courage to know that he needs to get behind the wheel of his car and drive for hours on end without the chance to move and expose himself to more dangerous clots as it is been the case once already in early 2010.

Well, somehow Mr. Vickers is coming back strong and should be able to race in 2011.

I am not a NASCAR fan but I will be sur to be checking the races to see how well Brian is performing and giving all of us the inspiration to craft our own come back.

If you want to read more details about Brian Vicker's come back please CLICK HERE.

Get inspired!

I think that we are starting off 2011 with a great story that can get all us motivated.

If you have any suggestions about races that I should do this year in which the Clot Buster Polka-Dots should be in full display please let me know. There are a lot of options out there I just need to figure out schedule that will provide the STOP THE CLOT mission the most exposure.

On we go!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster.

P.S.> If anyone knows why I was kicked out from the www.DAILYSTRENGTH.org support group I really would like to know. As of today, no explantion has been provided after multiple requests from me and others that saw that I joined the support group. If there is a reason it would be nice to have it shared. Otherwise I can only imagine that they reject the polka-dots and that is really hard to understand... what gives?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Feliz Ano Nuevo!!!

Here is wishing EVERYONE a New Year filled with

ALL THE GOOD HEALTH,

ALL THE GOOD FORTUNE and

ALL THE HAPPINESS

you can handle in 2011.

I am looking forward to take on the new year and see what it will bring.

The STOP THE CLOT >>> Clot Buster Polka-Dots will continue to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

If you see the polka-dots out at the races please make sure to stop by and say hello. It is a pleasure for me to meet as many people as I can and learn about their stories.

We much continue to fight and spread the word as much as possible so everyone knows about the dangers of blood clots and how we can all be in the lookout for them.

All the Best in 2011!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

December Athlete of the Month

The world is small.

With every life turn that ones takes there is the chance for you to meet someone that without you knowing is associated to you or your loved ones.

I don't think that I will ever stop being amazed about the people that I get to meet simply because I was wearing the CLOT BUSTER polka-dots to an event in which I participated in.

December's Athlete of the Month is one of my most memorable stories of benig at the right place at the right time wearing the CLOT BUSTER polka-dots.

But I am not going to tell you the story... I much rather let December's Athlete of the Month MR. BOB SCULLY tell you the story as he answers my questions... enjoy!

1) What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?
Well, up until about 2002 (age 46), my primary sport was running. Unfortunately, in 2002, the arthritis in my left hip became bothersome enough that I no longer enjoyed the sport; and I began spending more time bicycling and playing tennis.

2) How did you get started in that sport?
Who knows?! My father played a LOT of tennis, and I followed his example. As for running/cycling; for some reason I've always enjoyed the challenge of seeing how far I could run or bicycle. I've never been very fast, but I can keep going for a longtime! As a youngster I often challenged myself to see how far I could run or bike without stopping. I'm not sure my parents would have been pleased to know their 9 yr old had bicycled through the corn fields 10 miles to the next town and back! More officially, I ran Cross Country and played Tennis in high school; and I raced in the "Little 500" bike race in college.

3) What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve? (Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did)
I wish I HAD a recent milestone to report, but due to the bad hip, my milestones are still stuck somewhere in the 1990's! So, if you'll allow an old man to reminisce a bit: I've run about 32 marathons, and as many half-marathons. I've run Boston about 5 times, which is also where I ran my PR of 2:52. My best time for the half is 1:17, and 10k is 35:00 min.

4) Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?
Fortunately, my clotting episode was fairly minor on the scale of such things, and all resolved fine.

The story: Finally, in April 2010, I had Hip Resurfacing surgery (as an aside, the hip feels GREAT now). One fact I missed in my research about joint surgery was over 50% of patients develop clots. Even though clots were mentioned as a possible side effect; I felt young (relatively so) and strong, and I really didn't worry much about clotting. I just figured a few "other" patients developed clots, and it was a rare side-effect that wouldn't afflict ME! Therefore, I was shocked, when one week after surgery, a routine follow-up ultrasound indicated I had a clot in a peripheral vein below the surgical leg's knee! The chosen treatment was mild, i.e. Aspirin and "Watchful Waiting." After 3 more ultrasounds (about 1 per week), we determined the clot was stable. It is no longer being monitored, and it's my understanding I'm now "out-of-the-woods."

When I learned of the clot, I did some research, and became quite alarmed/scared. I learned it's a SERIOUS condition, with possible SERIOUS consequences! That's when the man in the RED POLKA DOT SHORTS came riding to my rescue!

Just prior to the surgery, I rode in the Alumni Little 500 Bike Race at DePauw U. Another rider (well, actually, LOTS of riders) lapped me several times; but I remembered one rider in particular, because he wore Red Polka Dot Shorts, and the shorts displayed, "StopTheClot.org." Somehow, I tracked down the name of that rider, and it was Roland Varga, the host of this outstanding Blog!

Roland, and his wife, Elizabeth (who I've come to learn is a National Expert on Blood Clots) were absolutely wonderful to me. Both Roland and Elizabeth answered my questions, and helped educate me, so I could make informed decisions with my physician regarding the treatment of the clot. I can't tell you how nice it was to have their expert help at such a time!

Fortunately, my story has a happy ending, but I'm now very aware of clots; and I've spread the message to anyone who will listen, and especially to a few of my friends who have had recent surgery.

5) When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time?
Fortunately, the clot only slowed me down during my recovery from surgery. Because of the Hip Resurfacing, I need to wait a bit longer before I can jog or train hard on a bike; but I AM allowed to take long walks, and it feels WONDERFUL to walk without the pain of arthritis.

By the way, if anyone has questions about Hip Resurfacing vs. Traditional Total Hip Replacement, please feel free to contact me: bscully@uclifeanddi.com.

6) What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? (Bike brand, running shoes, perhaps a running singlet or the Clot Buster's Running Polka-Dot Technical Shirt...)
Anything made by Pearl Izumi!

7) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Everyday you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)
Mainly just enjoying walking now. Looking forward to April 2011, when I hope to be given the go-ahead to train hard again!

8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout.
Warm Chicken Broth was THE best drink I ever had after a marathon in cool weather. Boy, did that ever hit the spot! I wish all race organizers would provide Warm Chicken Broth for Fall/Winter events.

9) If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?
Bicycling in Ireland.

10) 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 got back.
My main message would be to those about to have surgery, and that message is to be SURE to keep flexing those muscles, and doing all you can to keep that blood flowing during your recovery! Avoiding the clot in the first place is the way to go.

Mr. Scully - A MILLION Thanks for taking the time and your willingness to share your story. There is a great deal of inspiration that can be taken from you incident and how it is very important to be in the look out for symptoms regardeless of how fit you are.

I am looking forward to see you at DePauw University again during the Alumni race next year. Who knows by then you may be able to keep up with me... or better yet lap me a few times!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Holiday Season

Resting.
Enjoying time with the family.

Attempting to get used to the colder temperatures (not easy at first - can't seem to find my running gloves nor my hats nor my tights... Ian must have miss-placed them for me).

Starting to get re-introduced to the indoor trainer. Can pedal forever but go no where.

Trying to keep my weight in check so that in 2011 I can get to an "ideal" weight that can let me race as far and fast as I like.

Setting up our Christmas Tree with the help of our son. This year he actually helped setting up the tree, decorating and cleaning up afterwords.

Of course baking cookies will not help the quest of my weight but really during the Holiday Season I can give my self some slack. Plus last night was the first time I got down to make some "running" ginger bread men.

Whatever is you are doing this Holiday Season enjoying it very much as you spend time with your loved ones.

Finally, keep spreading the word about our STOP THE CLOT message. The more people know about blood clots the better. Simply we cannot do enough as people continue to suffer and die from these silent killers. Our fight is far from over.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Thanksgiving Day Race 2010 - 11 years in a row...!

Thanksgiving Day Race 2010 coming up on Thursday.

10K race course in downtown Cincinnati.

Best time = Last year 41:53

This year = Will be much much slower than that.

Also this year = Be in the lookout for the Clot Buster... new polka-dot shirt design to be revealed to the world... STOP THE CLOT!!!

Looking forward to the HUGE crowds and hopefully nice weather.

Finally... I am THANKFUL for YOU and your willingness to stop by and reading my posts. I very much appreciate your curiosity and time!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

November Athlete of the Month

Is it really the end of November already?

Is it really time for Thanksgiving?

Is it really time to make the very difficult choice between Pumpkin Pie versus Pecan Pie after the turkey dinner?

Hard to believe that it is this far in the year.

Even harder to believe is that I did not get around to post about November's Athelte of the Month until now...

As of late I've been in "search mood" looking to see if I could find an inspiring story out there I could share with you guys. The right combination of search words got me to find the following article I would like to share with all of you.

Please allow me to introduce to DENESHIA LARSON from Gainesville, GA. Although I have not been fortunate enough to meet her I've been luck enough to find this article about her.

Please read and get inspired to overcome anything!

"Dave Larson will be carrying a big sign to show support and jumping up and down for his favorite athlete in Sunday’s Aflac Iron Girl triathlon at Lake Lanier Islands. Larson knows the potentially fatal health issues that his wife, Deneshia Larson, has overcome. Now he wants to celebrate as she tackles her first race with the swim, bike ride and run all tied together in this race designed solely for female competitors.

“I’m very proud of my wife,” Dave said. “She’s the kind of person that when she picks a goal, she goes after it.
“I just want to be as supportive of her as I can during the race.”

People take part in distance races for all kind of reasons. Some sign-up to celebrate the conquering of health issues. Some participate simply to stay in shape or improve on last year’s time, others to celebrate a milestone.

Still, Larson has to have one of the more remarkable stories. Doctors didn’t even know if she was going to live after she suffered from genetically inherited blood clots, which surfaced with scary symptoms while she was running in the spring of 2009.

Originally chalked up to stress, those symptoms couldn’t be ignored any longer after Larson almost passed out after running only about 50 yards near her home in North Hall one day. She scheduled a doctor’s appointment for the next day and was immediately hospitalized, doctors originally believing she may have suffered a heart attack.

It wasn’t a heart attack.

After almost a week in a hospital bed and a number of tests, including blood tests and chest X-rays, it was determined that her ailment was pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis — blood clots in the legs and both lungs. Both of these conditions are potentially deadly and doctors told the Larsons she would not have survived had it not been for her good physical condition.

Now, just a little more than a year removed from a shaky prognosis, she’s been cleared compete in her first triathlon.

“I just want to be able to finish the race,” Larson said. “Being able to complete the race is very important.”

She will not be competing in the race alone. Her sister, Jessica Warren, will be making the drive up from Jacksonville, Fla. to be right by her sister in the race. Aside from a little friendly trash talk between the sisters about who will finish first, Larson’s younger sister is just glad she’s got this opportunity to be going through such a grueling event together.

“I feel really privileged to be able to do this with my sister,” Warren said. “It really scared me when it happened because she was in the hospital for about a week.

“I know it’s a miracle she survived.”

After a long period of uncertainty during which she was unable to do any athletic training, Larson was given a clean bill of health by her hematologist on Oct. 26 of last year. After taking blood thinners for six months to combat the blood clots, she is back to a normal lifestyle, except for relatively minor precautions she must follow: taking an aspirin every day, staying well hydrated and limiting Vitamin K intake.

Shortly after getting the go-ahead to start training, the Larsons saw the previous year’s Iron Girl event televised. Deneshia immediately gravitated to what the race had to offer and was drawn to sign up. However, she had to take it easy at first.

First it was baby steps running. Then she would run a mile. On race day, it will be a three-mile run that women have to complete on a moderately hilly course.

Now, as a pair, the Larsons train regularly to have Deneshia ready for the race this weekend. Her biggest worry going into the race is the 1/3-mile swimming portion, since she’s only been training for stamina in the water for a few months. As for running, the Larsons train a few days each week during their lunch break from their respective jobs in Alpharetta.

Training on the bicycle is probably the most thorough.

After a ride of about 20 miles on Mondays, the couple will do a 30-mile trip on Wednesdays with friends from Reality Bikes in Cumming, then on the weekend they try to tackle about 60 miles.

Now, it’s all come together for Larson, who has previously competed in a number of half marathons — 5Ks and 10Ks — with her husband.

“She’s been training hard for this race,” Warren said. “And I know she wants to be able to place too.” "

Be Thankful this week because we are able to experience come-backs like Deneshia's. Anything is possible once you get the bill of clean health like she did. Never ever lose the hope that you can come back.

Enjoy the THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

BLOOD CLOTS In The News

As I see these news articles I will pass them along for all to share.

Knowledge is power.

This article in particular can resonate with those of us who find ourselves attempting some sort of endurance event.

What ever your condition or level of athletic ability BE AWARE!

Please CLICK HERE for the article.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

BLOOD CLOTS In The News

As I see them I will try my best to pass them for all of us to share.

Knowledge is power.

Knowing that blood clots affect people of all walks of life can serve as an indication that we need to be aware of all the signs and symptoms ALL THE TIME.

Please CLICK HERE to read this article.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

MARTY - YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!

Congratulations to my friend and CLOT SURVIVOR MARTY BUSEKRUS in becoming an IRONMAN at IM FLORIDA!!!

Very proud to be able to share this as it is very inspiring to see him go the distance.

See the progression of his race day below.

Marty - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Get inspired people!

We may not do an Ironman but we can get out there and do whatever is that we want to do even after a blood clotting episode.

Thanks for Reading,

The Clot Buster

UPDATE on June 2009's Athlete of the Month

Last week I got a nice note from June 2009's Athlete of the Month - JIM FENTON in which he was telling me that he completed the CANNON BALL Half -Marathon wearing his polka-dots.

Mr. Fenton also told me that in this race he got a new PERSONAL BEST of 2:03 which destroyed his old PR of 2:32...!!!

Can you believe it!?!?!?

But that is not all, he also told me that through the NATThlete Program he was able to raise $1025.00!!!

JIM - THANK YOU for your efforts in spreading the word and rasing funds for our cause against blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

JIM - CONGRATULATIONS!!! on a Fantastic Time on your Half-Marathon. You got some speed my friend!

You are truly an inspiration to all of us looking to make a difference by wearing our polka-dots!

I am thrilled for you and I can't wait to learn more about your upcoming adventures!

Good Luck!

Thanks for reading AND GET INSPIRED!!!,

The Clot Buster

IM World Championships

How about this year's race in Kona?

I can't believe that Chrissie Wellington whitdrew from the event. That sure opened the door for the women's field and the crowning of a new champion.

I can't wait to see the broadcast later on this winter.

The men's race was also very interesting. Fun battle on the run amongst all of the favorites.

The ability of these competitors to push themselves to such limits is simply beyond what I can understand. I admire anyone who can do an IM race. I drool and wonder if I can do one someday but I very quickly return to reality and think of the pain that I have felt attempting Half-Iron Distance races before. How in the world would I ever be able to double that distance and effort...? For now, the answer is NO WAY JOSE!

I am wondering however, when is it that we will have an American athlete as a winner of either race?

It is nice to see the international flavor of the event but I am tired of seeing other countries dominate the event with Americans significantly out of the runnig for the top podium spot. As Tim DeBoom announced that he was not racing at the Big Island anymore I wonder where is the next American Champion of this race in either gender. It just seems that we don't have what it takes anymore to contend for the title.

As a follower of the sport I see some American Stars in the distance and some stars fading away in the lava fields but in the near future it seems that the IM World Championships will continue to belong to the international field.

If that is the way it is then so be it. I like the sport far to much that it does not matter to me in the end because the competition and ability is what I am interested in regardless of its nationality.

So as I drift away again day dream about racing in Kona some day...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

GREAT NEWS!!!

You probably saw my tweet about it...

But if you did not catch it please check out the following link to a news article the NATIONAL BLOOD CLOT ALLIANCE posted on their website a couple of weeks ago...

NEW GENERATION ANTICOAGULANT

This another alternative that will be available to people when treated for blood clotting episodes. Although this anticoagulant is currently only indicated for atrial fibrillation there is a good chance that eventually down the road it will be approved for other DVT/PE related indications as it is the case in other countries.

In the mean time do everything that you can to be aware of the sign of symptoms of potential blood clots. Ourselves are the first line of defense in combating clotting episodes. So, be on the look out!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

October Athlete of the Month

October is one of my favorite months of the year.

Partly because fall is really taking hold of the season.

Partly because cinammon spice is again available for consumption... I also dig some pumpkin items but I am not as crazy about it as Mr. Clot Buster.

Partly because the swimming, the biking, and the running are less intense and I get to do whatever without really any structure.

Partly because European Soccer (Real Football) Leagues get finally under way and I get to follow my beloved teams.

And Partly because the IRONMAN WorldChampionships are in play the second weekend of the month. How I wish that I was good enough to some day do that race... For now I'll put that away in the "IN YOUR DREAMS" box...

However, I wanted to take this month's ATHLETE OF THE MONTH post to celebrate those I know who have completed or soon will complete and IRONMAN race and that are of course blood clot survivors!

I wish that I knew someone that is in Kona, HI right now who is about to race the IM World Championships... how cool would it be to follow that person? I am not that fortunate this year but I am sure there is someone racing tomorrow who has had a blood clot and it is survivor like all of the Athlete of the Month folks I've been able to write about.

So, let's remember and celebrate those that I have written about as OCTOBER's ATHLETE OF THE MONTH!

DEIDRE CALLAHAN - November 2008 - IRONMAN Lake Placid 2005

KRISTOFFER PERRY - October 2009 - IRONMAN Wisconsin 2009

MARTI BUSEKRUS - March 2010 - IRONMAN Florida 2010

My goal is to someday have a long list of people I could celebrate in October as finishers of IRONMAN events. However, any event is a tremendous accomplishment for someone returning to "normal" life after a clotting incident.

I am alawys inspired by what people can achieve with determination and inspiration.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

September Athlete of the Month

Where is the time going?

I am not ready for the summer to be over.

I refuse to admit that soon I will have to put away my shorts.

This year I am going as long as I can but somehow I don't think that the fall colors will allow for me to go much longer...

So, with little of the summer left and hoping that cycling time comes back faster than last year, September's Athlete of the Month sure can provide some serious inspiration to all of us to get out and enjoy every moment to be best of our abilities...

Please let me introduce to JEANNE KRULL - September's Athlete of the Month.

Come on and CLICK HERE for JEANNE's story of survival.

If I am lucky enough some day I hope to personally meet Jeanne and get to ride with her. I am sure she has some stories to tell besides the one she shared with all of us. I need to ask her about bike touring in Tuscany... how cool is that?

I am always amazed of how fortunate people in shape are when faced with a deadly blood clot. I am very Thankful to have the chance to share these stories with you because everyone of them keeps me inspiraed to spread the word about STOP THE CLOT!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

STOP THE CLOT.org News + Racing this Weekend

If you have time to spare this article is currently on NBCA's website and it is an interesting read

>>> FDA Approves First Generic Enoxaparin Sodium Injection

It is great news that there is a generic alternative to the costly blood thinner currently available on the market. Of course any questions that patients may have concerning this generic prodcut should be discussed with their treating physicians.

================================================================

As I slowly recover from my monster 107 Mile ride of Saturday, I just came to the realization that I am racing a triathlon this weekend.

Yes this will be my very first Olympic distance race of the season.

Many questions I have about my current condition...

Will I be ready to ride well or will I be fatigued from the long ride the previous weekend?

Running a 10K...? I have no idea how am I going to do that.

I suppose we will know by 10AM Sunday morning so stay tuned!

If you happen to be near Oxford, OH come on by and checkout the race... More information can be found here >>> HUESTON WOODS TRIATHLON

Wish me luck this weekend.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

August Athlete of the Month

Greetings from the Clot Buster!

Is it really August already?

Summer please don't go away so fast... I could use a few more warm months... slow down, stay a while!

Well, another month and again the time to honor a clot survivor as they make their way back to a normal life style.

This month's CLOT BUSTER Athlete of the Monhth I am borrowing from NBCA's web site... please let me introduce to you Mr. TIM ALLEN.

Please read Tim's story by clicking on the link below. Enjoy and get inspired >>>

National Blood Clot Alliance - TIM ALLEN's STORY

Mr. Allen's story is one that I will remember for a long time. I wish him the best of luck on his bike ride around Oklahoma and I will keep you posted as to how he does on his ride.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Riding around...

Yes, for an entire a week the Clot Buster family did a whole lot of riding...

1915 Miles of riding in the car... from Columbus, OH all the way to Cape Cod, MA and back.

Mrs. Clot Buster and I had the chance to race a triathlon in Falmouth, MA and it was called the FALMOUTH SPRINT TRIATHLON.

It was a fantastic course with the swim in the Atlantic Ocean... that part was new for the two of us. Luckily it was calm and we did not have to fight any currents. But once out of the water the bike course was a treat along the coast and through some hilly terrain that tested my legs even if it was only 9.5 Miles...

Got to ride all over Yarmouth, MA on very nice roads with some views that were photo worthy... too bad I am not smart enough to take the camera with me.

We camped for two nights in the Pocono Mountains of Easter PA and I have to tell you that the hills out there were no joke... I had to grind my way up some of the hills I was able to find within a few miles of the campground. Again, not smart enough to take a camera with me to provide proof... but if you could feel what I felt on those grades you would understand.It was a FANTASTIC time in our first long vacation with Junior. He was sensational even after being many hours cramped in the car.

So, we are back and better than ever...

Looking to do a couple of more races before the summer is over. I am not sure which ones yet so I better get busy with my research... I toyed with the idea of a half-iron race in September but for the first time in my 50+ triathlon racing career I just don't think I can prepare for such a long event and be where I want to be. So, Olympic distance races it is for the rest of the year.

Be in the look out for the polka-dots near you... you never know they've made it all the way to Cape Cod and the Atlantic Ocean...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

July Athlete of Month

In this edition of the Athlete of the Month we are going PRO...

But we are going pro VERY FAST...

NASCAR Fast...

Very recently I surprised to learn that a very popular NASCAR driver came down with a very serious episode of blood clots that unfortunately have parked him on the sidelines for this season...

It is unfortunate that I first learned about Mr. BRIAN VICKERS through the STOP THE CLOT network available to me. Thankfully he is fine and on his way to recover fully. Although there is a question about his eventual return to racing due to risk of being on blood thinners and the potential dangers of severe crashes that cause some serious complications. As far as I can read from the information available in the media he remains very involved with the sport and I have no question that somehow someway he will be back and putting the pedal to the metal.

Perhaps someday I will get the chance to meet Mr. Vickers and get to know him better and learn about his story to complement this post and make it more personal. I did not get the chance to ask him my usual 10 questions that I could share with all of you out there. But someday I will. My path as the Clot Buster surely will intersect a NASCAR drivers at somepoint through the bonding expirience of STOP THE CLOT.

Take a look at Mr. Vickers' website and follow along through his road to recovery.
I wish that next season he makes it back behind the wheel making those laps as fast as he can. How cool would it be that someday a red polka-dot NASCAR with the number 83 would make it in a race track out there just to spread the word about STOP THE CLOT at fast speeds?!?!?

Cheer for him!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

HAPPY 4th of July!

Amazing how time gets away from you when you have fun.

Since Thursday it has been non-stop...

Thursday = Work Full Day + Celebrating Mrs. Clot Buster's Birthday with fancy dinner and cake...

Friday = Work Half Day + 50.85 Mile Ride + 888 Meter Swim + Tail gating from 6PM until the fire works in downtown Columbus...

Saturday = Attempted to rest... instead full day of sports on TV (are you kidding me... Germany VS. Argentina and Spain VS. Paraguay in addtion to the start of the Tour...) + picnic at Alum Creek Beach which included some Kayaking by all even Cacheton.
Sunday = Triathlon in the AM... Short and sweet sprint race that was an ALL OUT EFFORT with the polka-dots in FULL DISPLAY... 5th in my age group and 17th Overall out of 241 participants - not bad + 4th. July Parade for Ian to see Fire Trucks and Police cars with their lights on + mowed the lawn ahead of the brutal heat tomorrow + and a lovely cookout with some friends.

Monday = NOT WORKING... FANTASTIC...sorry to all of you out there but I enjoy my time away from work any way possible... Early morning hike with the family at Highbanks Park top it all off milkshakes on the way home. Now, Ian is sleeping and I am off to do more of my little "side-kick" projects around the house.

I would not change anything about this weekend. Just the way I like it!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

June Athlete of the Month - Part Two

Greetings!

Please read on about more about the inspiring words from KATHERINE SIRON...

6) What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? (Bike brand, running shoes, perhaps a running singlet or the Clot Buster's Running Polka-Dot Technical Shirt...)
Can't live without my RoadID, GU, iPod, Saucony shoes, and DryMax socks! That care of your feet and they'll take care of you! We have awful humidity and heat in the summer here and good socks are a must! My RoadId is an absolute must! It's more important that anything I carry. It has all my contact info, doctors name and number, blood type, my DOB, drug allergies, and most importantly my HISTORY OF DVT AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM! I always wear it when I workout and travel. ALWAYS! Check it out for yourself!
http://www.roadid.com/Common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=37

7) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Everyday you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)
I've got a pretty busy schedule, so training and racing can be a little bit of a challenge. I'm in medicine and currently applying to graduate programs to become a Physician's Assistant and get my Masters in Public Health. Work, volunteering (which I do a lot of), and grad school applications take up a lot of the day, but I like to use the phrase "work hard, play hard". My long runs are on the weekend and I try to sneak in a spin class or evening run a couple days a week. Summers are hard here because we're already at high humidity and temps reaching the high 90s in the day. Some have snow and ice, we have HEAT! At least you can layer for the cold, with heat, you can only get so naked.

8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...
I'm a definite food lover, so to pick just one would be too hard. When I was in Europe, I ate everything in sight! Always on my list are sushi, Chipotle salads, and a good hotdog ( I know! i know! Not healthy . . . but I have a favorite joint in Charleston that serves up the BEST dogs! Also ballpark hotdog can be pretty fabulous too! I'm a big Cubs fan!) :)

9) If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? Humm . . . good question! I LOVE to travel! Languages and culture are such a gift! I try not to act like a typical American when I'm abroad. Eat what they eat, do what they do, and soak it all in. Africa and New Zealand are next on my list. My family hosted a Bishop from Uganda last year and I promised him that I would come do medical mission work once my doctors cleared me to fly that far. Try breaking a promise to a Bishop! :)

10) 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 got back.
My best advice would be to talk about it! You feel like you're all alone and no one else could possibly know what you're going through. Sadly, there are too many people out there that know EXACTLY what your going through. Support groups and education people has been my saving grace. Knowing that my story might prevent one persons DVT episode and increase funding to spread the word about coagulation problems and veinous disease. Surviving the unsurvivable is a heavy load to bear and getting back on the horse is scary and difficult. You've got to live in the light and not think about the "what if's" too much. Yes, be smart. I'm not advocating you do something foolish and risky, but returning to what makes you happy is part of your recovery. Blood thinners aren't a prison sentence, they just need a little extra precaution. Wear your RoadID or other form of identification. Don't let fear rule your life. Pray, eat healthy, exercise, and live life to the fullest! Oh, and don't forget . . . STOP THE CLOT! :)

That is correct Katherine - STOP THE CLOT is what we are all about as we need to spread the word and let as many people know as possible so that we don't have any more close calls such as yours.

Thank you for your willigness to share your story. Without a doubt is great inpiration to all of us!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

June Athlete of the Month - 2nd year of postings about people that INSPIRE us all!

Remarkable!

Outstanding!

Hard to believe!

Two years = 24 postings = A whole lot of inspiration to all who have had a blood clot and want to return to do whatever is that they love.

To celebrate the Second Anniversary of the Athlete of the Month Postings I want to introduce to you someone I got the chance to meet thanks to the magic of the web. I hope that I can someday meet her in person just to see if some of her abundant energy can rub off on me just by being around her...

Please allow me to introduce you to KATHERINE SIRON. Hers is a very interesting story of survival that was possible thanks to her being in shape. This time around I will start my post with an article that was written about Katherine that explains her ordeal much better than I can ever can so please read on... "That Katie Siron survived for weeks, backpacking through Europe as two massive blood clots took hold in her lungs, astonished her doctor after her return to the states. And if she hadn’t been in above average cardiovascular condition before her trip, training for the Chicago Marathon, she might not be here to tell her story.
It begins with an overnight flight from Charlotte to London in the spring of 2008. After staying awake for the first hour and a half of the flight, then 24-year-old Katie took an Ambien and slept hard until it was time for landing, even as she wound up in an awkward position.
As she traveled with her and her friend from high school through England, France and Germany, she never noticed anything wrong in her lower body, just the aches you would expect after backpacking several miles a day and climbing stairs to explore sites like the Louvre. But by the time the pair hit Italy, Siron’s cough started, and she felt like she was coming down with something. Then at her hotel in Assisi, she sat up in the middle of the night and couldn’t breathe. “I had this stabbing pain in my back, almost as if I had pulled a muscle or had a pinched nerve.”
She pressed on, taking Ibuprofen for the pain, but it was still so severe she couldn’t lie down and she struggled while walking. After 48 hours without sleep, she went to a hospital in Rome, where the doctor noticed her backpack, dismissed her problem as muscular and gave her a prescription for anti-inflammatory medicine and muscle relaxers.
The medicine masked the problem, allowing Siron to stick it out, visit the Vatican and, amazingly, ride to the top of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. It would be several more weeks, before a CAT scan in Columbia revealed the bilateral pulmonary emboli as well as the tissue that had died in her lungs as a result.
“Katie,” Siron remembers her primary care doctor telling her, “You should have come home in a box.”
A Doppler scan did not show any evidence of clots in her legs. Her doctors suspect the clotting may have started in her pelvic region before migrating to her lungs, and they decided to quickly insert a filter in her inferior vena cava to stop any other possible clots from reaching the heart and lungs.
While Siron is seeing Charleston hematologist Dr. David Ellison to determine any blood disorder, it’s apparent that her blood is prone to clotting faster than most people. As a result, she no longer takes birth control pills, which were intended to counter a history of ovarian cysts, but likely elevated her risk. In fact, she took the heavily marketed Yazmin birth control, which has been linked in lawsuits to blood clots.
Now she takes an aspirin every day to thin her blood and the anticoagulant Heparin when flying for more than three hours. She wears a heart monitor when running, but she still intends to enter the Chicago Marathon someday, and it’s as important for her to stay active now as it ever was.
She also plans to become a physician’s assistant and get her master’s in public health. Along the way, she hopes to help educate people about the dangers that blood clots and a pulmonary embolism can pose.
“She considers her story a miracle, but realizes that others who are suddenly stricken by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism aren’t always as fortunate.
“God has given me a tremendous gift – the opportunity to tell my story and help others. Take charge of your health care. Be educated. Know your risks. And never assume it won’t happen to you.”

If you are not satisfied by the article above then keep on reading to learn more about the amazing Katherine!

1) What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?
Such a tough question. I grew up playing multiple sports (volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, golf, etc) I never concentrated on one thing. Since high school, I've had to readjust to staying athletic and finding alternatives to a once "team sport" junkie. Running and triathlons have been my love since 2002! Triathlons are a great way to stay fit, injury free, and allow an athlete to find one of the three disciplines a strength. Mine is the bike. I've never been a fast runner, but I'm a decent swimmer and can crank 20+ mph on the bike. Running is on the list because I love a challenge. I lost lung function after my PE's and it's almost a game for me to find out how to better use my remaining lung capacity. Yoga, swimming, & running are the best. Or so I'm told by my doctors. :)

2) How did you get started in that sport?
I saw my first triathlon in 2000 in Kinston, Ontario and watched a woman complete in the race with one arm and no hair. She apparently had suffered or was suffering from breast cancer and they had removed her entire right arm. I had never heard of a triathlon until that day and I remember thinking "If she can do it, anyone can." I came home inspired, bought a bike, and started training in all three disciplines. My first race was two years later, the summer before starting college.

3) What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve? (Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did)
I just completed the San Diego Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon and I'm registered for the Chicago Half Marathon in September and the full Chicago Marathon in October. I'm also doing the Charleston Triathlon Series this summer.

4) Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?
My story is a pretty unique one. I was 24 years old when I left for Europe on a backpacking trip with a close friend of mine. I wanted to avoid "jet lag" and was given a sample of Ambien to take on the way over, considering I've always had trouble sleeping on planes. He also gave me several prescriptions, per my request that would cure just about anything I could possible encounter (several antibiotics, anti nausea/vomiting, etc) You get the drift. Ironically, I had everything except for the one thing I'd need on my adventure. I took my Ambien, curled up to the window seat on my giant Airbus plane, and slept from Charlotte, NC to London's Gatwick airport. I arrived refreshed and ready to hit the town. That first day, we walked at least 1o miles touring London. We were full of adrenaline and life seemed perfect. About ten days later, in Venice, Italy, I felt as if I was coming down with a cold. My body ached all over (especially my back), but seemed manageable with a little ibuprofen. The next day we were off to Assisi, a short overnight before hitting Rome. Upon arriving in Assisi, we went to Mass at the St. Francis Basilica and then crashed at our hotel. That was the night everything turned for the worse. I woke up gasping for air and had pains shooting down my back. I had trouble finding an English speaking doctor, so I headed to Rome and found the Rome/American hospital where they dismissed me as having back pain due to muscular strain and sent me on my way with a prescription for a pain medication and muscle relaxer. When I arrived at the pharmacy, barely able to walk, I was given two boxes of vials and a box of syringes. My medications were inter-muscular injections that I would have to give myself. I was in so much pain at that point that I didn't even care. I hadn't slept in three days and there wasn't a big enough shot in the world to keep me from feeling better. I started feeling relief after the first round of injections and continued my "four times a day" routine until I got home. During that time I went to the top of the Alps, saw the Vatican, and continued my trip throughout Europe, only by cab instead of by foot. When I got home, I made an appointment with a local orthopedist to rule out my back being severely injured. He did some tests and several x-rays and told me that my chest xray looked "a little funny", like I had contracted a viral pneumonia while on my trip. That made perfect sense to me and I figured that's where my pleuritic pain was coming from. He dismissed me and told me to follow up with my primary care physician. While leaving the office, I called my internist, told him the story, and he worked me in. After taking my history, he told me that I was going to need to go downstairs to their imaging center and have a CT scan. I went downstairs, drank some berry flavored barium, IV in my arm, wondering why he was doing this test. I remember asking the tech why they were looking for and she said "He's ruling out blood clots in your lungs." I thought that was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard! "Who get's those!" I thought. Once we finished the test, the tech sent me directly back upstairs and told me my results would be ready shortly. When I walked in the office my doctor and his nurse were waiting there with a wheelchair and told me to get in. Apparently the radiologist was shocked that I was even walking an immediately called upstairs before I could even get out of the elevator. I had blood clots in both lungs and a pulmonary infarction (dead lung tissue from the clots). My clots were HUGE and my doctors only comment was that I "should have come home in a box." I was rushed to the hospital where they started a heparin drip and put me on immediate bed rest. After 24 hours, an interventional radiologist put in an IVC filter to prevent any further clots from making it up to my heart, lungs, or brain. I still have my filter today and I like to refer to it as my "safety net." I'm now considered high risk pregnancy, can no longer take birth control pills, and must use Lovenox shots while traveling, immobile, or pre/post surgery. My doctors feel comfortable keeping me off Coumadin since I have a filter in place, but if I encounter another clotting episode, I've "bought it for life" as they like to say. When you have medical professionals coming to your hospital room asking to see "the miracle child" and realize you survived something incredible is the most humbling feeling imaginable. So many do not survive and don't get to tell their story. I have been given a second chance and plan on using it to live everyday to the fullest, run like I've never run before, and spread the work about this silent killer than affects so many people. Blood clots may not be in the mainstream media, but they are mainstream in the population.
Take charge of your health care. Be educated. Know your risks. And never assume it won’t happen to you.

5) When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time?
It took me a while before I was allowed to be active again. I felt like a caged animal and wanted nothing more than to go outside and run 'til I couldn't run anymore. It's one thing to not run and a completely other story to be told that you CAN'T run! I had been training for the Chicago Marathon before my trip and went from running the race to watching the race. That was torture! My first run was two months after Chicago and I was in tears when I laced up my shoes for the first time. My cardiovascular fitness was gone, I was starting from scratch, but I was outside and able to run! What an incredible feeling. A second chance!

A second chance indeed...

But don't fear this post is not over yet. Second part of this post to follow I just want for you to enjoy this post and look forward to the second part..

GET INSPIRED TO GET BACK AND STOP THE CLOT!!!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

First Triathlon of 2010 coming up...

Hard to believe but at last the first triathlon of 2010 is finally here...

I will be racing in the Wendy's Triathlon this coming Sunday...

I hope that I remember how I should be doing this. Am I in shape? I think that I am but I guess that we will find out. You never know during the frist race you have to shake off the rust.

I am very looking forward to racing you don't have any idea. Hopefully the first of many races that will end up with racing a Half-Iron distance race in September up North in Sandusky...

As you may remember back in June of 2009 I had the opportunity to feature a good friend of mine as the Athlete of the Month - JIM FENTON. This year Jim was able to arrange his racing schedule to participate in the NATIONAL BLOOD CLOT ALLIANCE Athlete Fundraising Program... Please checkout his page here >>> www.firstgiving.com/jimfenton

Although, it is been a while since I posted anything and I will keep trying to post updates through Twitter... these days 140 characters is all I can afford these days.

Ian just turned 2 and he got not one but two bikes he needs help learning how to ride so stories of his trials I am sure will be abundant. For instace today we had a little battle trying to agree on the use of the helmet. Ian has only had his tricycle less than three days and already he is going down our driveway enjoying the speed. So, a helmet on that head is a MUST. Pictures to follow once available...

So, on we go with the training and fitting it in whenever possible...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster