March Athlete of the Month

Do you know the relevance of March for those of us sporting the polka-dots?

Certainly March is a very important month because it is BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH.  For that reason during this month I am locked and loaded about spreading the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.  CLOT BUSTER STOP THE CLOT polka-dots will be in full display anywhere possible so that they can be noticed and in the very least get people thinking about this topic that could eventually save your life.

One life was saved just over a year ago as this month's Athlete of the Month went through his very own blood clotting incident.

Please allow me to introduce to you CHRIS SOMMER who is a clot survivor and the individual I would like to feature on this month's post.  After you read what Chris so kindly has shared with us you will understand, without a question, the importance of knowing the signs of symptoms of blood clots because they can in fact save your life on a moment in which you may not have a great deal of time to react.

Read on Chris' story and get inspired to learn what you can and want about blood clots and blood clotting disorders but also get inspired to get out and never ever give up!

1)  What is your sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?
My activity of choice is running. I do race a little, but I mostly run because I enjoy it. It has always been my “me time” and has helped me in so many aspects of my life. Physically, mentally and emotionally. I always seem to find the answers to my hard questions during a run.

2)  How did you get started in that sport?

I began running in January of 2008. I had just started a new job, and decided that I really needed to make a healthy change in my life. I started eating better, started lifting weights and doing mostly elliptical and cycling for my cardio. Then one day I decided to try running on the treadmill and I really enjoyed it. Running has been a big part of my life ever since.

3)  What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?(Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did)

I ran my first race in March of that 2008; a 5 mile event on St. Paddy’s Day which was an absolute blast. I have participated in a number of 5k’s, 10k’s, 2 half marathons, and ran the marathon relay twice. I was hoping to run my first full marathon in the fall of 2013, but those plans were put on hold because of my PE. I’m hoping to train for my first marathon this fall.

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

Rewind back to January 20th, 2013. I was still recovering from an extended flu-like illness, I was dehydrated that day, we had just celebrated my DD’s 6th birthday that day, and I was exhausted. After the birthday party I decided to take a nap, and fell asleep in an awkward position with my left leg draped over the arm of our love seat. When I woke up, I felt a knot directly behind my left knee. I didn’t really think much of it at the time and life went on. Over the next 10 days I missed more than 1 warning sign that something was seriously wrong. I noticed that I was becoming very winded on my runs, and at some points I actually had to stop to catch my breath. I was experiencing some mild pain in my right lower rib cage area. I had coughed up blood on 2 consecutive days which was when I decided to visit my doctor. He thought the these were just lingering symptoms from my extended illness earlier in the month and sent me on my way with nothing more than a recommendation for some tylenol.

On February 1st, 2013, I was awakened at 4:00 AM by a more significant pain under my right ribcage and in my right shoulder areas. At first I thought I had slept on it wrong and tried to stretch it out, but it didn’t get any better. As a matter of fact it was getting worse and I was feeling a bit more pain when I would breathe. I can’t really explain how I knew, but I knew something was wrong. I woke my wife up, explained to her what I was feeling, and that I thought I needed to go to the emergency room ASAP.

The ER doctors ran a bunch of blood work, chest x-ray, ekg, and everything came back normal. They were about to release me with the generic diagnosis of “pleural lung pain”, when the ER doctor decided he wanted to run one last test on me. That final test was a spiral CT. When they rolled me back to the ER after the CT scan the doctor met me personally and told me, “you have blood clots in your lungs”. They also scanned my legs where they found an active clot in my left leg, just below the knee and extending into my calf. I had just been diagnosed with a sub-massive bilateral pulmonary embolism along with a left leg DVT.

I was immediately started on blood thinners and spent the next 3 days in the hospital. The rest is as they say, history. I met with numerous doctors, all very interested in how a young, healthy, active person ended up there. They ran blood work for all known genetic disorders and they all came back negative. The official cause of my clotting episode is still a mystery (or unprovoked). Statistically speaking, the chance of recurrence is pretty high for unprovoked clots in men over 40. Because of this, I have chosen to remain on blood thinners, most likely for the rest of my life.

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

Early on in my recovery I did a lot of walking. The doctors said, “walk as much as you like”, so I did. I started while I was in the hospital and would wander the halls quite a bit. At first I felt a little short of breath just from walking, but it got better with time. By 3-4 weeks I felt like I could probably run again, but the doctors did not want me running until the clot in my leg was gone. My legs were rescanned at the 5 week mark and at this point the clot has totally resolved. I was given the all clear to run and I didn’t waste much time. That same day I took a 1 mile spin around the block. It was my favorite run of 2013!

 

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...)

I’m pretty minimalistic in my running. For the most part I run in Target C9 brand running gear. I don’t own a GPS and don’t run with music either. So I guess my favorite piece of running gear would have to be my shoes. All of them. I always have 2 or 3 pairs in rotation. I have tried a number of different manufacturers, but I’ve been mostly loyal to the Asics Gel Nimbus. They seem to work best for me.

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

I am currently running about 25 miles per week (4-5 days) and my speed is slowly coming back. I missed my St. Paddy’s Day race last year because of my clotting episode and am looking forward to running it this year! I am also planning a spring half marathon at the end of April, and if I can get my mileage up a bit and stay healthy, maybe I’ll take on my first full marathon this fall.

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

I like a lot of different food, and am actually a pretty good cook. I cook a mean chicken french (if chicken french can be mean).

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

I went to Germany when I was in high school for 3 weeks and had an amazing time. I’d love to go back and complete a tour of Europe some day.

 

Chris' Favorite running spot - Can you guess where this is?

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.

Everything about suffering a blood clot is very overwhelming, especially early on. So much information; what to eat, what not to eat, anticoagulants, genetic factors, blood tests, compression socks, travel, etc, etc, etc. Don’t worry about learning it all at once. Get a good doctor that you feel comfortable with. I loved my hematologist because he helped me navigate all of the questions I had.

Be patient with yourself. You will get back to doing the activities that you love. There are a lot of factors that go into your recovery and we are all an experiment of one. Some people return to their activities in weeks, some months, and some years. Some get all of their fitness back and more. Stick with it. Your body has been through a lot, allow it to heal and don’t be afraid to take those extra rest days when your body is asking for them.

Be patient with your family and friends. They might not totally understand what you are going through, but the mental stress is just as hard on your loved ones as it is on you.

One final message to someone who is early on in recovery. Never give up! One message from all of the doctors that I met that still rings in my mind is that running probably saved my life. Running gave my body the edge it needed to lessen the impact of a very traumatic event. That was all I needed to hear to know that I had to lace up and keep on running.

CHRIS - THANK YOU a million times over for your willingness to share your story!

Without a question you are a perfect candidate to kickoff the month of March for the blood clot awareness movement.  I look for the day where I will see you racing in Clot Buster polka-dots and if I get lucky enough maybe even race along side you. 

Let us know how your racing goes in 2014. 

Based on your determination that Marathon in the fall will become a reality and we will be cheering you every step of the day even if it is only virtually.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

February Athlete of the Month

Although it is an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to maintain this blog and to post about the REMARKABLE and INSPIRING stories of the clot survivors I come in contact with...but there is an underlying problem... and it is, unfortunately, the fact that I have to come across clot survivors... and even more unfortunate is that there is no shortage of them...

For me it is truly a privilege to be a part of this community of individuals that, in some instances, come face to face with their own mortality and (thankfully) more often than not they can walk away from their clotting incident and start their very own come back story.  From this platform I get to share with all of you the news of the troubles of the clotting incident but also the process of coming out of the "recovery maze" which can vary from person to person.

I am thrilled to be doing this but at the same time I wish that I did not have to because then it would mean that we have no blood clotting incidents and no blood clotting disorders... 

But unfortunately that is not the reality and because of that I will continue to share the stories that come way so that the experiences of others can guide some out of their own recovery maze...

The text that you will find below I received from an email early in January TIM PETERS a clot survivor who is searching and looking for the way out of his maze and I am more than happy to share his information for all to read... THANK YOU TIM FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SHARE!

"While I know everyone recovers differently I am interested in hearing from cyclist on the difficulties and advice for getting back on the bike.   Because I tested positive for Factory Five Liden there is a good chance I will be on some type of thinner for life a and there is the whole falling thing that has my wife concerned.

Right now fatigue is my biggest hurdle and going for a 1 mile walk is tiring.  It is also winter time in Chicago so it will probably be a few months before I am actually riding outside, in the past I would ride most of the winter but it looks like me and the trainer will be best friends once I get to that point. 

Below is my story and a picture before the start of this years Ore to Shore 48 mile mountain bike race in the Michigan UP.  I raced mountain bikes competitively starting in 1995 and stopped in 2007.  The other picture is from 2004 when raced for the regional Mountain Dew team. I got burned out and took some time off. In 2011 I did a couple 40K TT's, in 2012 I decided to get my head back into cycling and began riding with a group again. In 2012 I also competed in my first mountain bike race in 5 years and did the Master's 40 category Cyclecross Championship  race in Chicago, while I got my doors dusted I didn't finish last.  For 2013 my goal was 5 races; I made 4. 

This is my story of a new chapter in my life, let's say it is the beginning of chapter 3. 

The Folly of the Clot -

Below is the story of my recent diagnoses of my first DVT/PE event.  I am a 49 year old husband and father of two daughters, during my time on this great planet of ours I have had 10 surgeries, 3 from two separate head trauma injuries, 4 for defects to my feet from having a disease called Charcot Marie Tooth and 3 other miscellaneous procedures.  As you can tell I have spent my fare share of time in the ER and hospital beds.  A good sense of humor I found was important in getting through and recovering from these events.  I also never let any of this stop me from being highly active. In my youth I raced motocross and cross country motorcycles and have been racing mountain bikes and cyclecross bicycles since 1995. I stopped the bicycle racing for a few years but this was my year back and for the most part was going well until a few weeks ago.

My DVT/PE story starts with a phone call to my sister on October 29, 2013 who just happens to be a doctor.  With the usual catching up on things conversation she also has a tendency to ask about any current injuries I might have.  Well I said to my sister I do, I think I cracked a rib in a cyclecross race crash on October 19, and I have a pulled muscle in my right calf for a month or more that just won't go away.  She asked more questions and than told me in her doctor voice to make an appointment with my physician the next day as a precaution, she mentioned I should get checked for DVT. I know clots can be serious as my aunt died of a PE in 2001. 

So the next day I see my doctor and in less than a minute of meeting with her I am being told to go for an ultrasound. Well my tech wasn't a very good poker player and I could tell she could see something as her face went from a smile to a blank expression every time she went over a certain section of my leg.  Sure enough clots were found and I headed back to my doctors office.  As soon as I arrived I was told to go to the hospital as I needed a CT Scan of my lungs. I called work and told them I wouldn't return and I would see them tomorrow, was I wrong on that one. 

Once I got to the hospital I was quickly prepped for the CT Scan, so after the scan I was asked to wait in an exam room with the IV port still in my arm. Very quickly I got a visit from a nurse explaining I needed to go to the ER immediately.  Dressed in my street clothes and the IV port in my arm I was hustled off to the ER admission room. My first nurse left and the new nurse came in and quickly started with the questions and told me I needed to be prepped for an IV, I said that wasn't needed as I put one in before I left for work that morning and rolled up my sleeve and showed her the IV port already in place.  I thought she was going to fall off the chair and quickly told her that I got it when they did my CT Scan. She gave a nervous laugh and got me on the gurney.  I was brought into the cardiac room and soon two nurses were around me taking vitals and drawing blood.  Having been in this scene before I noticed they all had that "he's gonna die" look in their eyes as they went about their work very seriously.  I stopped one of the nurses and I said what is your name, she said Michelle.  Michelle I said I am going to be ok you can smile, and with that the mood in the room changed. After some light banter with the nurses and the machines hooked up I was told the ER doc would be in to see me in a second. 

When the ER doc came in she started to explain that two significant clots were found in my right leg and that I had multiple clots in the lower lobes of both lungs, my condition was very serious and would be ordering blood thinner injections immediately.  With that I told her I would rather have a pizza, she chuckled and asked me what I like on my pizza.  My wife, sister (not the doctor) and brother-inlaw soon showed up and I started filling them in on the events of the day.  After 4 or 5 hours in the ER I was wheeled up to the ICU floor for 3 glorious days of observation, learning how to inject Lovenox in my stomach and twice daily blood draws.  Along the way I got to meet some wonderful nurses who made my stay and early recovery the best they could.

It has been three weeks since being released, since than I have had another full CT Scan, ultrasound, about 20 blood draws, and several trips to my internist and the hematologist.  I am now on 6mg of Warfarin daily and have an event monitor for the next month as I have had some heart palpitations that can not be explained but most likely caused by the stress and anxiety. I have also tested positive for Factor Five Liden, this will most likely put me on thinners for the rest of my life. 

Like a lot of you, I have constant fatigue, bouts of depression and anxiety and wonder how much my life will change over the next several months.  So why with all the bad do I call my story the folly of the clot?  Because for every bad thing that it has thrown at me there has been a reason to smile, with every blood draw there has been someone trying make it pain free, and while my buddies are out still racing and riding in the cold Chicago fall I was able to walk around my entire neighborhood without stopping. When next racing season comes around they better be afraid because I am going to kick their butts.  They laugh too when I tell them that and with that they know I am ok. "

Thank you Tim's sister (the doctor) for providing the guidance needed to get Tim seen and saved from his clotting incident.

Well Tim certainly you can and WILL kick my butt any day on the bike.  I know that you will be throwing down on two wheels as soon as this freezer time ends and we are all able to shed some layers. But the only layer you will have then will be your very own CLOT BUSTER STOPTHECLOT.org polka-dot jersey for sure.  Here is hoping that we get to share a ride together someday!

THANK YOU once more for your willingness to share your story.  WONDERFUL to read the positive outlook you have which can indeed be a catalyst to keep you going.  Over the fall and winter  you walked... coming spring you will be riding again!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

I miss the outside world...

... that I usually see while training and playing.

At this rate, I don't believe my Garmin even works as I've been forced to stay indoors for a while now.

Thinking warm thoughts...

Without a question over the last 10 days I experienced the coldest temperatures of my life.

Thinking sunshine thoughts...

Don't mean to sound down but it is getting difficult to get on the "dreadmill" and run.

Thinking warm thoughts...

By now, I am running out of ideas as to what intervals to do on the trainer.  Can't really do the same training video again.

Thinking about less layers and no fleece...

On the bright side I found a new rhythm to be consistent with yoga time.

Thinking warm thoughts...

Feel lucky and constantly try to process the irony that I get to go swim while it is so cold outside the water would freeze instantly.

Thinking about racing in the CLOT BUSTER STOPTHECLOT.org polka-dots to represent and spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

Come on spring!

Get here FAST!

I need you!

Back on the covers...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

January Athlete of the Month

How were your Holidays?

Here is hoping and wishing that you were able to receive 2014 in grand style and that the new year is bringing you ALL the happiness, good fortune, and good health you can afford.

I am looking forward to 2014 and getting the chance to continue to spread the word about blood clots, get even more exposure to the CLOT BUSTER STOPTHECLOT polka-dots, and of course continue to post some more of these inspirational stories from blood clot survivors.  I simply cannot get enough of learning what the human body is capable of once your mind is set and your body cooperates.

The 2013 series of Athlete of the Month posts end with a fantastic story of a blood clot survivor throwing down with an Ironman Triathlon.

Well, I could not see any other way to start 2014 than with another story of blood clot survival and come back that involves a recent tango with another Ironman Triathlon.

Please allow me to introduce to you JESSICA LEHMAN who very graciously has agreed to share her story of survival and come back with us.  I am VERY THANKFUL to Jessica and for willingness to sit down and go to town on the write up you will be reading below. 

Are you ready to get your 2014 started with a story that will get you off the couch and going... please read on!

" Hi guys! My name is Jessica and I’m so excited to share my experience with Team Stop the Clot.

Less than a year ago I was sitting in a hospital bed thinking my life as an athlete was over. My pity party came to an end when I found this blog. Reading all of the Clot Buster stories gave me hope and inspiration. I hope you find some in my story too.  Please please please contact me if you are newly diagnosed with a DVT/PE and want to talk to someone (jes.lehman@gmail.com). I promise you that you can come back from this! And you will race again J  Here we go….

In January 2013 I had the adventure of a lifetime- summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world with an elevation of 19,341 feet.

(You can check out my whole Kili trek here:

www.myhappylittletree.blogspot.com/2013/01/climbing-kilimanjaro)

During the final descent off the mountain (day 8) I developed a sharp pain in my calf. I assumed it was a pulled muscle from summiting. It seemed obvious to me, I mean I did just climb the highest mountain in Africa!

 

 

After another week of safari in the Serengeti we flew home and it was time to get serious about my triathlon training! I was 5 months out from EagleMan 70.3. I remember e-mailing my coach telling her I had a pulled muscle and wasn’t able to run. So I started training by only swimming and biking. My calf was very painful, but triathletes have a very high tolerance for pain (and are just that stubborn) that I refused to go see the doctor.  I knew that if I rested it, iced, and took anti-inflammatories it should go away. And sure enough it did! My leg felt better after a couple weeks. (Later we find out this is because a giant chuck of clot broke off and went to my lungs). So with a healthy leg I started running and training hard.

I realized that my splits were much slower than usual. I told myself that this was because I took a month off to go to Africa and was out of shape. So I started pushing myself harder. I even almost blacked out in the middle of the pool during a time-trial test. I just figured I was dehydrated. Writing this makes me realize how stupid I was… ALWAYS listen to your body!

During the 4^th week back from Africa I started getting out of breath doing simple tasks- walking up stairs, talking on the phone, making a sandwich. The last straw was blacking out during a track practice. That night I went to the ER. And drum roll please…….. DVT in the leg’s popliteal vein and massive bilateral PEs in the lungs. For the amount of clot I had I was lucky to be breathing still, let alone trying to swim, bike and run.

The doctors could only hypothesize what happened. The long plane flight to Africa, my slow heart rate, altitude sickness caused by high elevation, severe dehydration from summit day and birth control pills was my perfect storm of destruction. Sometime after returning home the clot in my thigh to groin broke off and went to my lungs. This is where I count my lucky stars (30% of people with untreated PEs die. I went over a month before going to the ER).

So I got nice and settled in the hospital while they monitored the PEs. I chose to go on the new blood thinning drug Xarelto over Coumadin. No more Lovenox shots in the tummy! This is where I spent my days googling the scary statistics of blood clots (which I’m sure some of you are doing right now). I feel so fortunate to have found Stop the Clot and the Clot Buster athletes. I went to them for inspiration during the following months of recovery. Which were TOUGH. Small victories were climbing the stairs in the hospital, going for a walk, then finally jogging one whole mile. But there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel!

 

I wanted my light to be something huge. I wanted to go out there and celebrate life! I felt so fortunate that I wanted to do something monumental for those that have suffered from clots, those that have passed away, and those that will suffer in the future. I registered for Ironman Cozumel knowing that even if I couldn’t cross the finish line, showing up at the starting line was already an accomplishment.

I made it my personal mission to raise awareness and prevention of these nasty little blood clots by racing for the National Blood Clot Alliance. I raised $6000 along the way!  Most importantly I wanted to set an example that having blood clots does not mean you cannot continue to do the things that most inspire and challenge you.

On December 1, only nine months after being diagnosed with DVT/PEs, I became an Ironman! I really took the whole experience in and enjoyed every second of it. I had a smile on my face for almost the entire race (ok last few miles were ugly). 

 

(check out my full race report here:

www.myhappylittletree.blogspot.com/2013/12/ironman-cozumel)

Check out my support crew’s Stop the Clot shirts and visors!

 

 

So even if you’re on bed rest right now in the hospital or still on blood thinners, keep your head up. Take it day by day. And always live life to the fullest. You’ll be back before you know it!"

What else I can see to add to this story...?

We are so lucky that Jessica shared her story with us to provide us with the spring board we need to get 2014 going.

Get INSPIRED and let's get out there.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEY YEAR!!!

Here is wishing all of you the VERY BEST on this season.

May the New Year bring along ALL THE GOOD HEALTH, GOOD FORTUNE, and HAPPINESS YOU CAN HANDLE!!!

Looking forward to 2014.

2014 will be start to the CLOT BUSTER's "Redemption Tour..." returning to some races in which I did not go so well and I need to rectify the overall outcome.  Now older, wiser, and more "aero" on top should make all the difference... Be on the look out for the STOP THE CLOT - CLOT BUSTER polka-dots racing along side you...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

P.S. >>> Not too late to get your very own polka-dots... Cycling Jersey and/or Triathlon Top ALL SIZES available male and female.

December Athlete of the Month

This is certainly the season of giving.

I am VERY LUCKY to have come across this very special person.

I am VERY LUCKY and now you are lucky as well because this clot survivor is about to unleash a whole lot of giving as she gets to share her very unique story with all of us...

Catch the inspiration and don't let go of it.

But I will move aside and let you read and enjoy this story...

" Hi, my name is Alisa Dunlap and I am honored to be the ClotBuster Athlete for December 2013.  I’ve been an endurance athlete since 2007, the year I ran my first half marathon, and an athlete my whole life.  I grew up in the pool and played water polo in high school and part of college.  I took up recreational running at the end of high school and never stopped!  I enjoy challenging myself and pushing to my limits.  In 2009, I started triathlons and just a few short weeks ago completed my first 140.6 distance in Arizona. 

 

I am happy to report that I am thriving post-DVT!  While I still have to be careful, I am not on blood thinners any longer.  I am however still sportin’ awesome compression gear, pretty much all the time.  I do notice my right leg if I have to do excessive standing or sitting.  I am mindful to keep my leg elevated when I can and to take short walks throughout the day.  I still get nervous about traveling but have made the cross country trek once and have traveled in a car on multiple trips.  My travel tips are: compression and hydration.  If you’re hydrated it will force you to get up and walk about an airplane for the lavatories or to stop at rest stops if traveling my car.  If you’re reading this and you were recently diagnosed, it does get easier and you’ll learn what you need to do to thrive.

 

I found the ClotBuster blog and community in June 2013, right after my own DVT diagnosis.  Knowing that there were other endurance athletes with clots thriving in their sports really helped me through my own recovery.  I had always thought of blood clots as something that ailed only the elderly or those that hadn’t taken good care of themselves---not endurance athletes.  Come to find out, blood clots are something all endurance athletes should be mindful about.  Educate yourself my friends and I hope that you never have to go through what I went through.

To learn more about me and my journey visit my blog: www.ambitiousaspirations.blogspot.com

The ClotBuster himself asked me to share a little bit about my clotting episode, so, here it goes.

On May 4^th, 2.5 miles into a long run, I stepped on a lip in the road, fell and broke my 5^th metatarsal on my right foot.  My husband actually had to carry me about 2 miles back to the car as I couldn’t put any weight on my foot.  About a week later, we took a trip down to California to visit our family, little did I know that traveling without a lot of movement with a broken foot, while on birth control may not be the best idea. 

Arriving in California, I certainly felt like there was something off about my leg but I thought maybe I had pulled some tendons when I broke my foot and that the pain was just now showing up.  When I got back to Portland, I contacted my doctor and while he said it was possible that I had a clot it was unlikely.  So, I continued to rehab my foot. 

I was still on crutches and while the pain in my foot was getting better the pain in my leg was getting worse. In fact, my foot was well enough to go crutchless 4 weeks after my break.  However, three days after ditching my crutches I woke up to throbbing pain in my calf and behind my knee.  While I could bear weight on my foot I couldn’t on my leg, I ended up having to crawl to the bathroom that night and on that long crawl to the bathroom I decided first thing in the morning I would call my doctor.  I got in right away and he did a rudimentary scan on my leg with a mobile ultrasound.  You know it’s probably not a good sign when he calls in three other doctors to take a look.  After three different docs reviewed the screen they sent me straight to the hospital for a full ultrasound.  And on that day, June 7^th (5 weeks after breaking my foot), I was diagnosed with multiple blood clots (one in every vein in my right leg: femoral, popliteal, posterior and anterior tibial, and the peroneal.)  As I did more and more research on clots, I got more and more scared.

I was immediately put on blood thinners.  For 12 days I had to self administer (well, Justin did the first couple), lovenox injections.  After 12 days, I switched to oral warafin, the generic for coumadin.  Being an endurance athlete training for their first 140.6 race I had all kinds of questions for my doc.  She was great, so patient with me, answering everything I wanted (NEEDED) to know.  How long would I have to be on thinners?  Did I have to stop eating my coveted kale salads and smoothies?  How long would the pain last? (that was probably my first question) How long would I be out of training commission? (that was probably my second question as I had already spent 4 weeks on crutches really only able to do some core work, pulling in the pool and seated arm weights)  Were the clots going to limit my ability to train once the pain went away? Was the ironman out of the question?  Could I cycle outside?  What was my bleeding risk?  The questions went on and on and on.  The most scary of course, how serious is this and is there a possibility of an embolism and could that lead to death?  The answer to that last one is what kept me up at night.  It was serious and yes there is always a possibility of embolism which could in fact result in death----ahhhhhhh.  However, my doctor reassured me that I was doing everything right and that my risk, while certainly higher than the average person, was in check, especially now that I was on thinners.

I stayed on blood thinners for a little over 5 months.  In that time, I was outta commission from training for about 2 months.  During my 4 weeks on crutches, I really only pulled in the pool and did arm weights in my living room.  When I was able to ditch the crutches I started taking short walks around my neighborhood and eventually got on my bike trainer for 30 minutes at a time.  9 weeks after breaking my foot and 5 weeks after my DVT diagnosis, I went from my first test “run.”  I ran for maybe 5-10 minutes, in spurts of 30 seconds at a time.  I slowly worked my way back to sport.  I cycled outside for the first time about 6 weeks after my DVT diagnosis and ended up completing two century rides while on thinners.  I consulted with my medical team (both my doctor and my warafin nurse) every time I tried something new.  They encouraged me to keep at it but to stay safe in the process---I ALWAYS wore my helmet, I tried to cycle on roads less traveled by cars, I cycled with friends when I could, I always took my cell phone and I bought myself a new RoadID with my diagnosis and medicine clearly listed on the bracelet.

I took good care of myself and on November 17, 2013, not only did I finish my first 140.6 I did well, exceeding the time goal I had set for myself.  If you’re reading this after being recently diagnosed you CAN get back to your sport and succeed!  My advice to those reading with recent diagnosis: listen to your body-you know yourself  best, use your medical professionals as a resource—stay off of Dr. Google!, slowly ease back into your sport, set ambitious but realistic goals for yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help and probably most important, stay positive!  While clots are something I will always have to be aware of they aren’t going to hold me back from dreaming big and pursuing my goals."

 

What do you think?

 

These stories never stop inspiring me nor amaze.  How was she able to do an IM? I can't even get through a half without grimacing and wondering how on earth would I double what I just did...

 

Alisa's dedication to not let blood clots stop her or slow her down earns all of my admiration.

 

Watch out for this lady on a course near you... as she will be blowing past all of us if we don't shape up.  The only thing missing is her very own set of polka-dots to allow the STOPTHECLOT message to spread even farther.

 

Here is wishing you and all those with you THE VERY BEST HOLIDAY SEASON.  May the new year bring you all the happiness, joy, good health and fortune you can handle!

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster

#NYCMaraton #STOPTHECLOT

Did I really do this race this year?

Can't hardly believe that I was actually there.

It seems like a dream...

So here are some more photos to prove that I was actually there and that I races ALL of the 26.2 Miles...

Without a question AN AMAZING experience...

Now if just these nasty toe nails would finally move on and return to normal from their current state of black I would be thrilled...

These photos are chronological as to how my race progressed.  Luckily nobody pictured the crawling towards the end of the race... which is how I felt I should be going after Mile 23...

 

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster

November Athlete of the Month (#StopTheClot #MarathonTraining)

Team STOP THE CLOT accomplished something remarkable during the first weekend of November...

Outside of raising funds (and I mean ALOT of mula) to continue NBCA's mission to create awareness against blood clots and blood clotting disorders something very remarkable happened during the first weekend of November...

The TRULY remarkable thing I am talking about was the fact that 5 blood clot survivors completed the 26.2 Miles of that windy Sunday race after each of them faced the incredible challenge of dealing with their own clotting incident and coming back to do something that pushed them to the limit.

I've wrote this before but I am writing it again, I am very fortunate to have had the chance to run in the marathon representing the STOP THE CLOT cause but I am even more lucky to have had the opportunity to meet all of the 5 clot survivors and better yet with this post get to share their inspiring story with all of you...

Please allow me introduce to you SUSAN GRAHAM who has been kind enough to take sometime and share her story of survival and come back with all of us.  Without a question another inspiring story that certainly can get anyone going.

Go ahead and read on about what Susan had to say to my usual set of questions...

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

Triathlon (swim/bike/run). I like the chaos of transitioning from one discipline to the next, the camaraderie of training with friends and the sense of accomplishment at the end of each race.

2) How did you get started in that sport?

In March 2008, I was finding my bearings around New York City, having moved there nine months earlier. In the midst of a cold winter and workout funk, I wanted to switch up my lackluster gym routine. That is when I discovered Asphalt Green, a not-for-profit sports and fitness organization and athletic complex that houses an amazing 50-Meter Olympic pool. While signing up for a swim membership, I noticed that Asphalt Green also had a Triathlon Club and I joined the Asphalt Green Triathlon Club (AGTC) that same day and have been a member ever since. That summer, I finished my first tri, the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon in Sag Harbor, NY.

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 fund-raised $2,700 for the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) and completed the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 3rd along with my amazing Team Stop the Clot teammates! My next goal is to complete a full Ironman distance Triathlon (2.4 mi swim/ 112 mi bike/ 26.2 mi run) sometime in the next two years.

4) Tell us about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?

I suffered a bi-lateral Pulmonary Embolism (PE) in July 2009, just days away from competing in the New York City Triathlon. I had numerous blood clots in all five lobes of my lungs. Currently, I am not on blood thinners, despite having one copy of Factor V Leiden, the gene that causes the blood clotting disorder. I bounced back pretty quickly and began running again two weeks after my PE. My recovery period included five months of blood thinners, so I did stop cycling during that time. I was very lucky and I am grateful every day to be alive and well.

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

Two months after being hospitalized for my PE, I joined a team of eleven runners that competed in Reach the Beach, an adventure running race across the state of New Hampshire from the mountains to the beach. The following month, I did the swim portion of a relay team for the MightyMan Montauk Half Iron Triathlon in Montauk, NY. I was scared to do both, but I knew I had to get back at it.

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...)
These days, I’m partial to my Asics GEL-Nimbus 15 running shoes as they practically ran themselves through the five boroughs of New York City!

7) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Every day you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)
For the Marathon, I trained five days a week—three maintenance runs, one long run and one Vinyassa Flow Yoga class (day before long run). The other two days I rested.

8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...
A Chipotle [Veggie] Burrito ranks high on my list too! My favorite food was ice cream, though we needed to break up—our relationship was just not healthy!

I follow a pescetarian diet and eat pretty much everything (on the healthy side), but land animals and birds. I try and take in a combination of protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes of finishing a workout as it helps the body recover faster from the stress and muscle breakdown. I like low-fat plain Greek yogurt and a banana.

9) If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?
I often dream about cycling in the Swiss Alps.

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 is to always listen to your body and modify your activities accordingly. Be proactive about your health. Since my PE, I have completed three Half Ironman distance Triathlons, three Century (100 mile) bike rides and one Marathon—it is possible to return to do what you enjoy! I am always concerned that I could have another blood clotting episode, but thanks to organizations like NBCA, I know the signs to look out for.

Susan THANK YOU for sharing your story and your experience.   I know that you will do that IRONMAN you are looking to accomplish in the next two years.  Reading about how you have been able to recover there is no question that your drive, dedication, and discipline will get your there.  I just hope that you can bring us along because your inspiration to push the boundaries can lead many others to achieve their own story of survival.  

Thanks for reading,  

The Clot Buster

#StopTheClot #NYCMarathon

Although I read many reviews on-line the experience throughout the 26.2 Miles blew me away...

It is very difficult to put in words the fact that I got to participate on this event and what I felt during it.

Without a question I have to start with a THANK YOU.

THANK YOU to all who were kind enough to donate to this fundraising effort. 

THANK YOU not only for the donation but also for the encouragement and support. 

THANK YOU 1 Million times over.

While on course I was not alone...

First I had the spirit of all the blood clot survivors with me with their names on my shirt the entire length of the course.  When the going got hard around Mile 16 and Mile 23 I looked down at the names on my shirt and I could some strength from knowing what each and everyone of them has been through with their clotting incident.

Second all of the spectators lined up throughout the length of the course.  I was and I still am in awe of the number of people out there who were cheering as loud as they could.  During the first few miles of the race I lost track of where I was because I was distracted by the sheer number of people everywhere. 

I've been to my fair share of races in my years of racing and I have to confess that experiencing the spectators in NYC tops them all.  I truly enjoyed that aspect of the race.

Now, there were things I did not enjoy...

The wait.  The long 4 hours I had to wait before the race could start.

Looking back now I can't help but think that, although I did everything I could to save my legs during the wait, that I try to manage my eating so that it was there when I needed it and not too soon, and that I huddled with hundreds of others under the available tents away from the cold and wind, my legs were starting this race in disadvantage and with fatigue that I would normally not have.

Looking back also I could argue that I should have dialed it back a bit during the early miles so that I could be "fresher" towards the end... knowing myself I can't buy that.  I know all to well that if I don't put the hammer down during the early miles and I still struggle towards the end I can't feel satisfied with my strategy.  Somehow, I can put my mind at ease if I put the effort down during the early miles and hold on until the end...

Hold on is what I tried to do last Sunday.  If the cramping would have not started on Mile 23 I was on pace to come away from NYC with my best time in the marathon.  The left groin cramps left me walking at times which slowed me down even more. 

It is very interesting how in retrospect I can go back and re-evaluate the race step by step trying to figure why I cramped so bad when I did when during training I did not have that problem.  Not sure if I ever will be able to solve the issue but I will keep trying so next time I am prepared...

But regardless of my analysis I AM OVER THE MOON with getting the chance to participate and finish.  More so, I am even more excited that all of us from team #StopTheClot finished.  Without a question that during our waiting period our reason for running surfaced so we were also able to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.  I know one of our runners discovered that a lady running next to him had a PE not too long ago and this was her first event back.  How about that?!?!

So the NYC Marathon is behind me.  What is next? What race/races should I consider in 2014? At this point anything goes... into consideration...

As the soreness from the legs dissipates some more I hope that some clarity on what I want to do in 2014 will come into view.

Stay tuned as you never know when the CLOT BUSTER polka-dots can be toeing a start line near you...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

 P.S. = As more pictures from the race surface I will add them accordingly...