July Athlete of the Month

For a while I was concerned that following up the June Athlete of the Month blog-post celebrating 5 years worth of inspirational blood clotting survival stories was going to be difficult.

But it turns out that is not the case.

Last month I had the great fortune to get in touch with this individual and learn about his clotting background that shook me to the core.

Please read on below and find out for yourself as to what I am talking about as you read JIM SPENCER's story which he was so gracious in sharing with us...

1)  What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?
I love cycling.  It is hard to beat the thrill of riding fast in a pace line.  I also enjoy the challenge of struggling to get up a hill.  Nonetheless, triathlons are my favorite activity.  I have played sports my entire life and have always enjoyed competition. ( I played on the golf team in college.) Triathlons offer the ultimate in competition. It is the hardest thing I have ever done.

2)  How did you get started in that sport?  
I started cycling after my son, Jake, passed away in 2003 from complications due to blood clots from an injury he sustained playing junior high football. (Coincidence only since neither Jake nor I had a clotting disorder). I had to find some outlet to help deal with the loss. My friend and law partner, Clifford Ammons, encouraged me to get out and ride bicycles with him. I bought a cheap road bike and got started.  Through cycling, I met Charles and Nicki Shepard, both of whom are a lot younger than me. I learned how to climb hills on my bicycle by trying to keep up with Charles.  Charles and Nicki are also very competitive triathletes who win or place in their age groups. They have completed multiple Ironmans.  Charles and Nicki really encouraged me to give triathlons a try.  I finally did a beginner triathlon in 2010 and I was hooked. I have done 15 triathlons since 2010.

3)  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 Heatwave Triathlon on June 1, 2013 in Ridgeland, Mississippi. It is a ½ mile swim; 24.5 mile bike and 10k run.  I still don’t have my stamina back to the pre-clot levels; but I was very happy to be out there 3 months after my clotting episode. My time was 2:44, about 7 minutes slower than last year. The Mississippi humidity was a bear that day, or in any event, that is my excuse.

4)  Tells about your clotting episode.  Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?
I was training for the New Orleans Half Ironman in April of 2013.  As a part of that training, I ran in the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon in January of 2013.  After the half marathon, my right calf began to bother me when I ran. I took some time off thinking it was just a strained muscle that would heal with time; however, it didn’t get any better.  In late February of 2013, I had to fly to Wisconsin on business. When I got off the airplane in Wisconsin, my leg hurt so bad I could barely walk.  It seemed to get better as the week went on but it still hurt, especially at night. I returned to Mississippi on Saturday and went out with the Sunday afternoon cycling group for a 50 mile ride.  I had a hard time keeping up with the group due to shortness of breath.  I went to a Monday morning spin class and I could not catch my breath.  I called my doctor that day, but I didn’t tell him about my shortness of breath.  He worked me in on Tuesday.  Once he saw my leg and I told him about my shortness of breath, he immediately suspected a blood clot, which was confirmed by an ultrasound of my leg. The blood clot is located behind my right knee. He also suspected a small clot in my lung because of my shortness of breath. I never had any chest pains. He gave me five days of Lovenox shots and a prescription for 6 months of Coumadin.  I was cleared to start back exercising at 4 weeks as long as I promised to go slow. (I might have taken some liberties with that promise.) I was tested for a clotting disorder, but the test came back negative.

5)  When were you able to get back into your activity?  How did it feel that first time?  
I rode for the first time at 4 ½ weeks after the diagnosis. For the first 10 miles or so I was actually scared I was going to die.  After I made it that far, the fear went away. I still have some pain in my leg but nothing that they are concerned about.

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...)
Without a doubt it is my bicycle, which is a Cervelo S5.  

7)  How much are you getting out doing your sport?  (Everyday you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week) I usually do some form of exercise 6 days a week.

8)   What is your favorite food?  Either generally or after a workout.  For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...
 We have a lot of good food in Mississippi but my favorite is a steak from Shapley’s Restaurant in Ridgeland, Mississippi.  

9)  If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? I  would like to go Kona for the Ironman.

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. A clotting episode is a serious and potentially life threatening condition.  I was very fortunate to have a good doctor who caught my clot early.  A clotting episode is not the kiss of death. You can still compete and eventually back to your pre-clot activities.  Now that I know the symptoms, I watch out for any reoccurrence of those symptoms. For example, I still check my leg for swelling after running.  If I had one word of advice it would be to pay attention to what your body is telling you. I almost waited too late myself.  A leg ache that won’t go away needs to be examined by a doctor.

Get inspired because if Jim can come back you can and will as well.

Some day I am looking forward to the chance to get to ride and race with Jim and together display our CLOT BUSTER Stop The Clot polka-dots and after that dive in to some of that steak he mentioned above.

THANK YOU Jim for your willingness to share you story.  Amazing what the power of cycling and triathlon can do as you went through your clotting incident and the life altering event that also resulted from blood cots. 

Keep hitting the road as your story can motivate others to get through and overcome.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

June 2013... One Busy Month...

Full of racing and fun...

3 triathlons and one ride of 8 Miles down the Ohio River...

Placed on the podium either overall or in my age group for all 3 triathlons...

1 - 3rd Place Overall...

2 - 3rd Place in my respective category...

What is up with the Third Places?

Need to lift the CLOT BUSTER Polka-dots out of that spot for sure.

In July I still have two more triathlons to make something happen...

Not sure how they will work out while getting under way with my marathon training...

But one thing is for sure my run should improve... right?!?!

Now kayaking down the Ohio River was an outstanding experience specially when the downtown Cincinnati came into full view.

I don't know if we can keep this pace up for the rest of the summer but we will sure try...

But I can't stop writing this post without mentioning the thrill that it was to actually be on the field of the Horseshoe for the end of the race.  I never thought I would make it down to the field on that venue but it happened much sooner than I thought...

That is the closest I would ever be to big time "football" as I am still stuck on the other kind of football as my first sports love...

Enough rambling and on with the summer as there is much more playing that I need to do...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

June Athlete of the Month - SPECIAL EDITION

5 years ago during a bike ride this idea came to me...

Why not make it a point to share inspirational stories of individuals who have been able to overcome their very own blood clotting incident and returned to do what they love to do...

I can't hardly believe it...

After 5 years I've managed to write about 60 individuals all with very different stories but all with the very same message of inspiration of hope that can in fact help others get through the very difficult time which to have a clotting incident.

For that very reason the Athlete of the Month June 2013 edition belongs to ALL 60 INDIVIDUALS I've been able to feature of the years!

Personally, it has been a pleasure to come across all of the stories I've been able to share and I look forward to the many more I will get to do over the next years. 

Every story can cause a tremendous impact in getting the fire going on someone facing the challenge of a clotting incident.

Over the years I was able to write and share about...

Mothers...
Fathers...
Sons...
Daughters...
Ironman Finishers...
Marathon Finishers...
Half-Ironman Finishers...
Half-Marathon Finishers...
10K Runners...
5K Runners...
Professional Athletes (Baseball, Cycling, Tennis, Soccer, Basketball, NASCAR, etc)...
Weekend Warriors...
Weekday Warriors...

I am ETERNALLY GREATFUL for the willingness of this folks to share their stories on this forum.  Without their participation I would not have any material to share.  THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER for participating and letting me share your story.

IF YOU NEED INSPIRATION MAKE YOURSELF GO TO THE RIGHT HAND BANNER OF MY BLOG AND READ ANY AND ALL OF THE STORIES.  YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED!!!

Here is looking forward to meet many more individuals to learn about their story and what they are capable of.

Before posting this "special edition" post I asked many of those featured to provide their impressions on the blog so here I am sharing them with you...

FROM Rebekah Bradford >>> MARCH 2013
"What dedication for you to be running that blog for five years! Congrats. You are providing courage and inspiration around the world.  It was a breath of fresh air when I stumbled upon your blog looking for answers while I was trying to deny my diagnosis in the ER.  I read about another Olympic athlete who persevered through her pulmonary embolism and was successful in the London Games.  She, and the others on your blog, were my pioneers and gave me hope throughout my recovery process. I am now 8.5 months out and am starting to feel more like myself. They were not lying when they said this will be the most exhausting year of your life!  I was diagnosed with a bilateral pulmonary embolism and a portion of my lung infarct. Such devastating news and pretty upset after being misdiagnosed. Since my recovery I was able to set three World Records in my age division and placed first and second numerous time in the American Cup series. Right now I have my sights set on the Sochi Games and am confident I'll be able to achieve my goal.  I am still tired and get upset sometimes, but the main thing is to not focus on the bad. You need every ounce of energy to heal and
eventually life will get back to normal. I hope this encourages whoever is reading this and am available to answer questions directly on the fan page on Facebook or Twitter."

 FROM Dierdre Callahan >>> NOVEMBER 2008
"Hi! Goodness, I can't believe it's been 5 years. I haven't had any further issues with clotting since my original DVT in 1997. I used the shots through my pregnancy with Conor and a month after. I believe my training and fitness helped. I do remember that the first 2 years, my left leg would swell to about 2 inches bigger than my right. I used to lay on my back with my feet against the wall for 20 mins after a run or bike.
When I did my figure competitions, I actually forgot about the former discrepancy -- symmetry is a big deal in the body building world and you cannot tell that I ever had a clot."

FROM Kristine Hinterkopf >>> APRIL 2012
"Congrats on the 5 year anniversary - that's awesome!
After my clots, I would have to say I'm a stronger person both mentally and physically. Mentally, you feel like you can accomplish anything after surviving something like that. On days when I don't feel like I can finish a long run, I remind myself what I've been through and how lucky I am to be here and to still be running. Physically, it took me a while to get back to where I was prior to my clotting incident, but I worked hard and ended up getting a PR in my first race back. Can't even begin to describe how amazing that felt.
I'm feeling great. I'm currently training for a Half-Marathon in July and am hoping to PR again this year. If all goes well, I'd like to run a full marathon next year!
Your blog is so inspiring to me. After my clots, I went through a pretty rough time. Like a lot of people, I was angry and didn't understand why this happened to me. But being able to read your blog and see so many incredible stories about athletes who were able to get back to doing what they love and come back even stronger really helped me. What you're doing with your blog is truly amazing. It inspired me when I needed it most and know it has helped countless others as well."

FROM Carla McAdam Stewart >>> MAY 2013
" I think the blog is amazing and so happy you started it 5 years ago as it helped me through some hard times, once I found it is what made me feel positive about returning to normal and helped relieve my anxiety. When I was having a hard time I would always go back and read a few stories. I found it so inspiring to read about fellow clot survivors returning to the sports they love after blood clot. I couldn't wait for each month to read about the next one. Where am I now well a year and 4 months later I am feeling great, training hard and feeling like I did pre clot, with still some occasional bouts of anxiety."

FROM Becs Williams >>> JULY 2011
"It’s just over 2 years since I had my second blood clot. I’ve been on warfarin ever since and having not had a follow-up scan I can only assume the clot has now dispersed. Taking the drugs has become part of my life and in many ways it’s been beneficial; if nothing else it’s a good excuse to not drink as much as I used to! The downsides are the fear of bleeding, slight hair loss, and the bruising – much of which is unexplained, particularly on my legs.

I have gradually increased my exercise levels over the last 2 years and now feel I am getting back to where I was before my clot. I can go out on my bike without having any clot-related pain in my leg, and whilst my running still causes discomfort, I can be out for runs that last for over 2 hours and still be ok. I’m therefore largely happy with my physical progress; it has been as good as could be expected.

I struggle more with the mental side of recovery, I still find myself getting anxious and whilst I have developed ways of calming myself down, I feel this is something that will be more lasting and something I need to continue to work on. To help I have started doing yoga more regularly; I try to do it at least 4 times a week, and I feel this has made a huge difference in my recovery – both physically and mentally – and I would recommend it to anyone.

Being an ‘athlete of the month’ on the ClotBuster blog was a great boost for me and helped me realise that I wasn’t alone. Blood clots are an odd thing, often dismissed as something rather insignificant, but at the same time affecting so many peoples’ lives – it’s so good to have an online community to connect with. As well as the blog, I also keep in touch with people through groups on facebook in the UK and the US, and it’s great to have people to discuss things with and to hear how other people are coping. The blog really opens up your eyes to what people can achieve when they put their mind to it – I have gotten so much inspiration from reading other peoples’ stories, and it helps me ‘dig deep’ when things are painful! I also loved wearing my polkadots – what an honour and what a great response I had from people as I ‘raced’ by. I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of my brother wearing his when he gets it.

I want to say a huge thanks to the ClotBuster – it’s been so great having you around and following my progress, keeping my spirits up and being a great support. Keep up the good work! J "

I am very lucky to have cross paths with some very impressive stories including Olympians who are at the top of their sport.  Some day one of those "Professional Athletes" will in fact respond to my requests and help this cause gain even more traction.  I don't ask for money just the acknowledgment that they are in fact blood clot survivors and that they too have a story that is worth sharing.  Brian Vickers - NASCAR driver featured on July 2010 - has gone the extra mile to place the anti clotting movement on his car allowing for the exposure we need in order reach new heights in our awareness efforts.  Someday it is my hope that we will break through!

Once more, I am honored to have this opportunity to feature all of this inspiring stories.  My hope is that they can in fact allow others to get through a difficult time and provide the spring board for them to start down their very own come back trail.

Here it is wishing for another 5 years!.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

June Athlete of the Month

After 5 years...

 

After 60 "athletes" posted...

 

After 60 INSPIRING STORIES shared...

 

June's Athlete of the Month post will be a celebration of all the inspiring stories and a commitment to continue posting stories of individuals who have been able to OVERCOME their clotting episode and return to do the sport they love.

 

Here is hoping for another 5 years and 60 more other inspiring stories...!

 

Stay tuned for the next post which is currently under development...

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster,

Next Sunday...

The first race of the season is upon me and all of this week I am looking to keep my legs fresh thanks to the fine folks at

PRO COMPRESSION - #keepittight

Morgan's Little Miami Triathlon - Lebanon, OH - June 2nd, 2013

I am very much looking forward to this race.

This one is different beacuse instead of swimming we will be kayaking the first leg of the event, from there we are running, and close things up a bike ride.  This is still a triathlon and not an easy one at all.

Last year I got to place 2nd Overall in the Kayak division so naturally this year I see that I only have one place to improve on... Let's see if I can get the Clot Buster polka-dots up one more rung on this ladder...

Stay tuned to see how things turn out.

Also, follow my updates on Twitter @clotbuster.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

May Athlete of the Month

Where is the time going?

I can tell you where is going.

Is going towards THE BEST part of the season and that is RACING season all summer long. 

As you have seen on my previous blog my summer is pretty much all planned as it relates to racing.

I am very excited about the racing that I will be doing but even more exciting to me is the racing that other VERY SPECIAL FOLKS will be doing this summer.

These Special Folks OF COURSE are Blood Clot Survivors from across the world.

One of those blood clot survivors racing this summer will be CARLA McADAM STEWART who has an inspiring story that will get you off your feet and going. 

Carla has been kind enough to share her story with us.  Here it is for you to read and to draw on that motivation you need to find your next taregt and achieve it.

1) What is your sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?/How did you get started in that sport?
I started in running back in 2004 with my husband as a way of doing something active together. We started with a target of finishing a 5k race that year. After completing our 1^st 5k, we continued targeting a number of other short distance 5/10k races & eventually made the jump to 1/2 marathons and marathons. The active lifestyle quickly became a passion for both of us, and we started looking for more. This is how I got turned on to Triathlon! I eat/sleep/drink triathlon these days…why? Since 2004, I’ve always been drawn to the longer distance events, Triathlon offers this like no other through 70.3 & 140.6 events. I love the variety of activity it offers, the immense feeling of accomplishment when I cross the finish line, & the amazing people I’ve met along the way. The first time I heard “You are an Ironman” will stay with me the rest of my life, & it keeps me coming back for more. I have since become a 3X Ironman Finisher in recent years.

2) What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve? (Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did
This past weekend was my first race back in over 14 months since my PE in early 2012. I completed the Mississauga ½ Marathon only 8 minutes short of my Personal Best! On a larger scale, I have two triathlons scheduled for this summer as well that will put the final stamp on my return to my pre PE baseline. I’m currently training for the Welland ½ Iron Distance race in late June, and Ironman Mont Tremblant in August of this year.   I did sign up for Ironman Mont Tremblant just when I started running again, I knew there was a chance I wouldn't be able to handle to training but I knew I had to at least try.  I needed a big goal to focus on istead of all the anxiety and needed something to make me feel normal again. So far training is going well.

3) Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?
I suffered a massive saddle pulmonary embolism early last year. To this day, we’re not exactly sure the route cause. I was hospitalized for 6 days after fainting in my chiropractors office and taken to hosptial via ambulace. Prior to the fainting I did notice my heart rate was feeling faster than normal and my husband and noticed I was breathing a little heavier than normal.I brushed it off, I knew nothing of blood clots and didn't think much of it.   I certainly learned my lesson and will no longer ignore.  I also never had any pain which seems to be a common symptom.   I had numerous doctors and med students parade through my room to see the patient with the  large PE.   Nothing like making me feel comfortable about the situation! The first night in the ER my resting heart rate was hovering around 140 BPM, due to the constrictions and how hard my heart had to work. I was told a number of times that I was extremely lucky to be alive and lucky I had a strong heart. My initial options for treatment were a “clot buster” treatment with a 10% chance of a brain bleed or going on a combination of daily injections and warfarin in pill form. With the help of my husband giving me the injections, I chose the combination of medications over the more aggressive clot busting option.

For the last 14 months I’ve been taking Warfarin on a daily basis and recently had a follow up with my specialist. We had discussed briefly beforehand that I’d likely be coming off Warfarin at that time and beginning on Aspirin going forward….well that changed slightly. During the time between my previous visit and this one, a new drug was approved in Canada, Apixaban. The largest difference between that and Warfarin is that I no longer have to monitor my diet for things that would counter the drug(like in the case of Warfarin).  My doctor felt that with the seriousness of my case, it was a better “step down” going to the new drug for another year, then we could revisit moving to aspirin after that. I was also cleared to ride outdoors, with the caution of avoiding major impacts to my head…., so here I am turning another page in my long recovery back to racing.

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

It’s been a slow process and gradual build from short walks around the neighbourhood in the early days after my PE to run/walks, light swims in the pool, indoor trainer rides to where I am today with no restrictions on my training. That being said that journey has been filled with lots of anxiety along the way especially when I endeavoured to try something new for the first time, even to this day…not to the same extent as early on but it still happens…I always had in the back of my mind “what if this causes another blood clot or I have a heart attack”, even though the likelihood of something happening while on blood thinners was quite low, it played on my mind. I’m sure as I continue to push the boundaries in the coming months preparing for my next Ironman I’ll deal with more anxiety, but that’s exactly what I’ll do…deal with it and not let it control me to the point that I’m afraid to be the person I used to be.

5) What is your favourite piece of gear for your favourite activity? (Bike brand, running shoes, perhaps a running singlet or the Clot Buster's Running Polka-Dot Technical Shirt...)

It has to be my KSwiss running shoes, first shoes to never give me blisters.

 6) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Every day you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)

Over the last few months I have been returning to my former training levels. I am currently training 6 days a week, some days with two a day workouts & averaging 10-13 hours per week. That will be increasing as I approach my Ironman in August to likely 15-18 hours per week.

7) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...

Sushi is my absolute favourite.

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

Hawaii, I love hot weather and the beach.   Can't wait to go one of these days.

9) 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.

I would say in the early going be patient, don’t rush things. You’ve been through an extremely serious episode…RESPECT it, and when the time comes OWN it. Be vigilant with your health and taking your medication, research as much as you can to help you understand what you’re going through, align yourself with a support group in the early months to help you answer some of those questions you couldn’t think of when you were in the moment or in front of your specialist, & last but certainly not least follow this blog! I can’t say enough how much this blog has helped my confidence in persuing my goals during my recovery, seeing other people who have gone through similar events as I did returning to racing and their former active lives.

Hang in there, it will get better!  Don’t let your anxious thoughts control you and you will have your day again where you strap on your race number and cross that finish line one more time!

All the way from Hamilton, CANADA I feel the inspiration.

Just to show you how small this world really is in 2011 I raced in the Welland Half Iron Triathlon which is the same race Carla will be doing in just a few weeks.  Simply AMAZING how without knowing both and Carla and I were there in 2011 and it is perfectly reasonable to think that during that race she saw the polka-dots I was wearing for that race and she knew nothing about their meaning.  A year later she has her clotting incident, beats it, and this year she will be racing that very same course.  The CLOT BUSTER polka-dots will be represented showing once again that blood clots CANNOT BRING US DOWN!

Carla, THANK YOU for sharing your story with us.

Take the CLOT BUSTER polka-dots to the finish line both Welland and Mont Tremblant and make us proud...! You technically made us all proud already as you are signed up and training for those events.  Keep it up!

Please make sure you pay attention to Mont Tremblant as I am going to need to find a race in which I can do my first Ironman... Someday I will be lucky enough and will have to be epic...

BEST OF LUCK!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster 

Busy Summer Ahead... and I love it!

It has taken some time to put together but finally the CLOT BUSTER's summer racing schedule is finally in place and brought to you by the product that will keep me going all summer and beyond PRO COMPRESSION - #keepittight

Morgan's Little Miami Triathlon - Lebanon, OH - June 2nd, 2013

Wendy's Triathlon - Alum Creek State Park Lewis Center, OH - June 9th, 2013

LOVELAND's AMAZING RACE - Milford, OH - June 15th, 2013

OSU TriFit Challenge - Columbus, OH - June 30th, 2013

Cincinnati Triathlon - Cincinnati, OH - July 21st, 2013

Giant Eagle Olympic Triathlon - Columbus, OH - July 28th, 2013

STRONLGY CONSIDERING - 12HR Sprint Triathlon Challange - August 17th, 2013

STRONGLY CONSIDERING - Air Force Half-Marathon - September 21st, 2013

STRONGLY CONSIDERING - Akron Marathon - September 28th, 2013

NEW YORK CITY MARATHON - New York City, NY - November 3rd, 2013

Starting in early August I will be shifting my focus from triathlon racing to full dedication to running and getting ready for the "big race of 2013" the NEW YORK CITY Marathon. Just today I got the map of the course and I am in awe of the distance we will be covering and all of the landscapes I will be able to see. I very excited and hoping that all of my activities this summer give me the base that I need to perform in November.

Let's see how it plays out.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for the CLOT BUSTER polka-dots training or racing alongside you out there.

If you want to get your very own Clot Buster polka-dots please direct your attention to the top right hand banner of this blog for instructions on how to order. GET YOUR polka-dots now!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Getting there...!

As of this AM my fundraising effort is about a THIRD OF THE WAY THERE!

 

THANK YOU a Million times over to all those who have donated so far.

 

I very much appreciate your contribution to help the National Blood Clot Alliance continue to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

 

Once again the link to my fundraising page is below..

 

http://www.crowdrise.com/clotbusterinnyc/fundraiser/rolandtheclotbusterv

The Clot Buster STOP THE CLOT polka-dots are getting closer to run the NYC Marathon in November...!!!

All I need now is 100 more contributors to date $25.00 each and I will be reaching my goal.  Do you know people willing to donate?  Please along the link above and encourage them to help me, help NBCA, spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

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

 

Also I am very excited as the STOP THE CLOT CLOT BUSTER jerseys are flying off the shelf these days!

 

 

 

Look out you may see a set of polka-dots racing or training along side you out there.

 

 

If you are interested on your very own polka-dots go ahead and order through my blog and the good looking polka-dots will be on their way to you.

 

*** IF YOU HAVE PICTURES OF YOU WEARING YOUR CLOT BUSTER polka-dots PLEASE BE SURE TO SEND THEM MY TO EXPAND MY COLLECTION.  We have CLOT BUSTERS in Canada, Spain, England, Scotland, and USA... Where will I ship them out next...?!?!?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

April Athlete of the Month

Being part of the blood clotting community has been a pleasure all of these years.

I can't hardly believe that I started this blog as the Clot Buster back in 2006 and that this coming June I will be posting my FIFTH year of consecutive Athlete of the Month postings in which I featured a blood clot survivor. 

Without a question everyone of these stories has been inspiring to me to keep going take the Clot Buster polka-dots to STOP THE CLOT farther and wider every day.

I so wish that I could meet every single blood clot survivor I posted about over the years and spend some time with them as they are back doing whatever sport they love to do.  For sure those would be some powerful moments to share.

This month's Athlete of the Month I stumbled upon as I was checking a NBCA (www.STOPTHECLOT.org) posting on Facebook and I learned that this individual was preparing to participate in this year's 70.3 IRONMAN OCEANSIDE Triathlon. 

He was going to Swim 1.2 Miles, Bike 56 Miles, and Run 13.1 Miles... and do it all as Blood Clot Survivor...

How did he do you may be wondering?

Well, let me first introduce you to Mr. CHRIS MENJOU from Torrance, California who is not letting a blood clot incident slow him down as he is continuing to do the activities he enjoys the most.

... And of course his race in OCEANSIDE was SENSATIONAL! According to his Facebook page he DESTROYED HIS PREVIOUS PERSONAL BEST in the Half-Ironman distance by a grand total of 20 minutes... simply amazing!

Back in July of 2009 Mr. Menjou posted the following information about his clotting incident on Slowtwitch.com

"As triathletes we often consider ourselves healthier and fitter than the average person in the next cubicle over. And that's true. And good. But it's not necessarily always a good thing, it turns out. I had heard of DVT (deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots in deep veins, usually in the legs), and frankly outside of scuba had never heard of PE, or pulmonary embolism (PEs usually occur when a DVT breaks free, travels through the heart, and lodges in the lungs, although there are other less common causes). I always assumed DVTs were suffered by overweight and out of shape scotch drinking business flyers. Or, more publicly, David Bloom, a war correspondent who spent hours a day in a cramped Humvee in Iraq (turns out it was the PE that killed him). I certainly didn't think these were things that we triathletes needed to worry about. Hell, I've done an IM and a bunch of HIMs, lead an active life, young, relatively healthy, no way this happens to me.

That is, until I was diagnosed last week with multiple bilateral PEs.

My symptoms started several weeks ago with a shortness of breath, starting on exercise but soon while at rest as well. Just in general I felt sorely out of shape. I had gone from completing IMAZ last November to utterly out of shape, suffering through WF long course in May. Weeks of CBCs, x rays, EKGs, CT scans, pulse ox tests, spirometer tests, showed that my heart was strong and my lungs were functioning properly, leading to misdiagnoses of bronchitis, walking pneumonia, pleurisy, exercise induced asthma and post viral bronchospasms. It wasn't until last Wednesday (ironically, the day I got my CBC panel showing me to be in "perfect health" and a pulmonologist giving me an inhaler and telling me that the pain in my side on breathing was probably a pulled muscle from coughing) when I drove myself to the ER in excruciating pain on breathing, that a lung CT was finally done, showing the emboli. Upon which I was promptly admitted to the hospital, where I spent the next four days, suffering further indignities such as peeing in a bottle and wearing one of those gowns.

But I could have buck naked for all I cared at that point. One of the articles linked states that you will find "your threshold of pain" with a PE. I can attest. Vicodin could not touch it. It was not until I got IV drugs, which made the TV run down the wall, that I could finally breathe without pain. Thankfully, it wasn't until a few days later that I learned how dangerous PEs are, and that most are not diagnosed until the autopsy. Sobering.

Where did mine come from? We don't know yet. Perhaps a DVT following Wildflower long course and then the 5 hour drive home? Perhaps genetics (all genetic test so far negative)? Perhaps some other cause? Yet to be learned. I have been put on blood thinners, which means, if I am smart (and my wife locks up the bikes), I am off the bike for the next 6 months or so. Since my blood will clot very slowly on the thinners, falling and hitting my head would be a "not good thing." I have gone from IMAZ and Wildflower to brisk walks on the Esplanade as my main source of exercise. "

As you read the piece of the article from Mr.Menjou I continue to be amazed on how these clotting incidents can happen to anyone at anytime regardless of your physical condition.  No question that Mr. Menjou is very lucky to not only survive multiple PE's but also have the ability to return to sport and elevate his performance to a level in which he is improving his times and is having a blast while doing it...

I feel like getting my running shoes and running some miles right now...

I need to be ready in case my wish to get together with all of my featured athletes on this blog comes true.  For sure Mr. Menjou will put me in the hurt box and laugh about while doing it...

GET INSPIRED! (even if your recovery is challenging)

 

BLOOD CLOTS CANNOT STOP YOU not even slow you down!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

I NEED YOUR HELP...

The Clot Buster STOP THE CLOT polka-dots are going to NYC in November to run the NEW YORK CITY MARATHON...!!!

I can only make it if I am able to reach my fundraising goal.

If you have it in you and know of others that may be interested in donation please pass along the link below...

http://www.crowdrise.com/clotbusterinnyc/fundraiser/rolandtheclotbusterv

It is still hard to believe for me but I guess that 26.2Miles will be conquered in November...

Thanks in advance for your help!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Blood Clotting Disorders spreading far and wide...

Being involved with creating awareness about blood clots and blood clotting disorders has provided me with incredible opportunities.

Most important of all the opportunities is the one of meeting people and their personal stories.

I am extremely lucky to have met "virtually" March's Athlete of the Month Rebekah Bradford Plath and through her I've been exposed and virtually introduced to other people who are also doing very impressive things as they related to create awareness about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

If you can please take a look at the following organization which as described on their site does the following...

"The Garnet Foundation was founded in February 2011 by Natalie Smoliak. As a Minnesota based non-profit organization, The Garnet Foundation raises awareness and provides informational and educational resources to those affected by non-cancerous genetic blood conditions and those who would like to learn more about these conditions. The foundation provides scholarships to students with a connection to genetic blood disorders."

http://www.garnetfoundation.com/

 

 

The purpose of this organization sure touches an area of blood clots and blood clotting disorders that not many of think about on a regular bases.  How is the people around us affected when a blood clotting incident knocks on your door?  I can't even begin to imagine what would a blood clot mean for my ability to play with my children and be the father they need me to be.

 

I am very pleased to learn of this organization and their mission and I hope that you reading this are pleased as well.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster



March Athlete of the Month

Did you know that March was DVT/BLOOD CLOT Awareness Month?

Without a question a very important month in the fight against blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

Because it is such an important month it is appropriate that March's Athlete of the Month be someone who has a remarkable story and participates in the highest HIGHEST level of her sport.  I want to make sure that I clarify that to me every story of a comeback from a clotting incident is remarkable and inspiring from the weekend warrior to the high paid professional.  However, in this month's edition of this blog post we are going with someone who is very familiar with five little rings normally on a white background and that only come along every 4 years...

Please allow me to introduce to you...

REBEKAH BRADFORD PLATH - Long Track Speed Skater, 2010 Olympian in the Vancouver Winter Games

 

Although I wish that it was under different circumstances that I get to meet an athlete of this status I am blown away that the common cause of creating awareness against blood clots and blood clotting disorders brought us to cross paths and meet virtually. 

As you will read below you will find Rebekah's story truly remarkable and inspiring.  If I could only have 2% of the intensity that this lady has my Clot Buster polka-dots would move faster during the races...

There is not much more than I can add to Rebekah's story.  On this is for sure CLOT BUSTER NATION will be rooting loud for her as she continues her journey to qualify and compete in the 2014 Winter Games. 

Read on and get inspired...

"Hello!  My name is Rebekah Bradford Plath and I want to share a little bit about my experience of blood clots.  I suppose I should start further back than starting with my ER visit in September 2012.  I competed in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games in the Long Track 1000m event respectfully placing 29^th for the USA.  I earned this spot through a reskate from an unexpected fall.  Here is a link recapping that moment: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/athletes/Rebekah-Bradford.aspx.  I’ve learned to always stand up after you fall and to let God be God.  See if I didn’t respond to God that day how I did, I would have never met my husband.  I love telling people that he bought me on an auction for charity.  Here is the story of how we met:  http://plathandbradford.ourwedding.com/view/6573432571233947/6141689

It was the year after the Vancouver Games and training began.  I was strong and full of confidence after the Olympic year.  I was making strides in my skating that I had a hard time believing.  Frustratingly enough, I felt I progressively got slower throughout the competitive season and didn’t know why. 

Two years after the Games, we hit it hard again at training.  Determined to get that feeling I had the year before, I felt I couldn’t push my body in the same way.  One day I remember I had an awesome morning training session.  In the afternoon, we had skating and upsettingly I couldn’t even crossover!  After a few months of doctor’s opinions, it was decided that I needs a bilateral knee surgery for full-blown arthritis!  See I was to the point in my training where I couldn’t even bring laundry up the stairs without intense pain.  My doc said if I didn’t get the surgery I would be looking at a total knee replacement in only a few years.  I would be out the whole season. 

In April 2012, I found myself with a new team, new training program, finishing up my college degree, planning a wedding and preparing to move.  I had a lot of pain in my legs, but my knees were sore too.  I cannot tell you how many ice baths I took after to practice to cope with the swelling in my legs.  Not to mention that I was training high volume and felt like I was gaining a bunch of weight!  Definitely not how a bride wants to feel when they are one month away from their wedding day!  It really didn’t make sense.

Summer training was awful for me.  I didn’t want to admit to anyone that I wasn’t recovering properly and was in pain all the time.  That’s what athletes do.  We are a tough breed.  And I felt like I had something to prove after my knee surgery.  Again, every week I felt myself getting weaker.  I found it strange that I was having breathing issues and would be out of breath just after driving my car anywhere. I chalked it up as asthma and back problems.

In August 2012, I was playing Ultimate Frisbee with some friends, and collided with one pretty hard.  I had immediate pain and quietly told my husband to take me home.  It felt like I had a rib out and couldn’t take a full breath.  I had a few adjustments, but that only made it worst.  One doctor diagnosed me with an inflamed nerve, which would explain my radicular pain.  It didn’t.  That month was spent in pain that I could not explain. 

The Friday (September 2012) before my ER visit, I went to get a second opinion and had a MRI.  I have never felt so weak in my life.  That doctor frantically called me Monday morning and told me he already phoned in a pulmonary specialist for me.  He found something in my lung.  I spent that day trying to make phone calls and arrange appointments, but had no success.  Towards the end of the day, I had a fever, my feet were cold and I could barely feel them.  Whenever I wanted to go somewhere, I found myself having to either use the wall or crawl to get there.  I resolved to lie on the floor and curl up with a wedding photo.  And that’s where my husband found me and told me to get into the car.  We were going to the hospital.

I was diagnosed with a bilateral pulmonary embolism and part of my lung infracted.  The intense pain I felt after playing Frisbee was a blood clot that burst and bleed around my ribcage.  The ER doctor said I was lucky my husband brought me in when he did.  If I made it through the night, it would have been rough one.  I remember being curled up in the fetal position at the bottom of the hospital bed with my heart rate at 130 and surprised that the morphine barely took the edge off of the pain.

I had to face the reality that I would be out for the 2012-2013 season as well.  But more importantly, how does one regain lung health?

As my husband and I were anticipating the answer of why the blood clots occurred, we were really hoping it was from the knee surgery.  It was odd that I would have a delayed reaction, but it was still within that one-year period.  I was devastated to learn that I have the Factor V Leiden gene.  And what saddened me more was that the gene triggered when I started birth control a few months before my wedding day.

Talk about a game changer. Although, it was a relief to finally have answers. 

I was on a three month prescribed therapy of blood thinners and I was determined to not let this setback define me.  The first month was rather traumatizing.  We agreed with my doctor to have the Lovenox shots twice daily for a month.  My wonderful newlywed husband (and a friend who is a nurse) faithfully administered these painful injections. The last two months was a “breeze” with the Warfarin. 

At first, my training involved walking from the car to the rink, sit down.  Then from the bleachers to the bike and slowly spin for 20 minutes.  Go home and nap 4-5 hours.  I gradually was able to train to the point where I felt confident enough to skate.  See there is the fear of being cut and bleeding, but impact was the main concern.  I wore a helmet to protect my head and had to be careful to not fall on the ice. 

Three and a half months following my pulmonary embolism, I competed in the US Championships.  I placed 6^th overall in the Sprint competition and 11^th place in the 1500m.  In all my races, I was 1-2 seconds away from my personal best. 

It is now four months after my ER visit.  I know I still have clots in my lungs and the blood around my rib is slowly breaking away.  My coaches and I have been wise as when to rest and when to train hard.  I am very hopeful in my recovery not only in skating but also more importantly in life.  My goals are simple:  Get healthy.  And to enjoy the gift of sport.  And hopefully qualify for a second Olympic team in Sochi, Russia.

Knowing that the cause of the blood clots is genetic, my husband and I are very aware of all the precautionary steps.  Like I said before, I will not let my PE define me.  We plan on exploring the world together and having children.  The path of achieving that will just look a little differently than that of other couples. 

Feel free to follow on the fan page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebekah-Bradford/264501848169?fref=ts "

Incredible story... and she makes the polka-dots look fabulous!

THANKFULLY they were able to make it to the ER on time and start treatments when they did.

CLOT BUSTER NATION now has an Olympian to look after and cheer on.  No question that the future is bright for Rebekah and her family.   

Here is wishing Rebekah ALL THE GOOD LUCK she can handle during this season and the qualifying competitions for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Balance...

Hard to come by these days.

In an ideal world my days would have 36 hours.

Enough to be able to meet all of my work expectations, spend time with my boys and lovely wife.

Perhaps update this blog or practice guitar playing (which I am terrible at...) or read more books.

Workout like I want to get in racing shape.

And maybe get more than 5 hours of sleep at night.

Unfortunately that is not the case so I have to continue to adjust and spend the available time wisely.

As far as I can see this will be an ongoing battle because I like to be involved and take pride in everything that I do. 

As one my favorite sayings go "IF THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY" I will indeed find a way... perhaps not to do everything on my list but at least find that balance that will even everything out.

That being said time run... I mean run to fold some laundry and get ready to get the boys from school early this Friday so that we can hang out...

Great things are coming this spring, summer, and fall.  Can't hardly wait!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster