July Athlete of the Month

Better late than never...

Where has the month of July gone?

I feel that it should be just the front end of the month not the tail end.

For July's Athlete of the Month post I wanted to bring to light once again that anyone can suffer blood clots regardless of your athletic ability.

I have to be honest that I could not believe the news when I heard them... MARIANO RIVERA the best closer in baseball experienced a blood clot in his calf as a result of a knee injury that he was resting and immobilizing prior to surgery.
More details of Mr. Rivera's clotting incident can be found by CLICKING HERE.

Every indication seems to point to the fact that this remarkable career of closing baseball games is far from over.

Mr. Rivera refuses to consider anything but his return to baseball.

I have to admit his determination and willingness to travel the extensive road to recovery from his knee operation and treatment of the clotting incident.

I have to admit that I don't root for the Yankees, I am a St. Louis Cards fan, but whenever the time I will be rooting for Rivera as he makes every attempt to return to his professional level of performance.

I have no doubts that his dedication will break any difficulties that his recovery process may bring.

Amazingly high profile athletes in a variety of sports have been suffering from blood clotting incidents and returning to top form.  That once again is a great demonstration that with the appropriate treatment and care athletes can return to be competitive again.  Same goes to those of use who are not even close elite level athletic performance but are simply weekend warriors.

I am inspired by the sheer determination and willingness of Mr. Rivera to get well and return to the Yankees pitcher rotation for closing games. 

Now is time to sit back and enjoy the Olympic games... I don't even know where to begin to watch around  the expanded coverage provided by NBC,

Here is wishing everyone out there ALL THE BEST!

Cheers!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

CONGRATULATIONS Clot Survivor - SERENA WILLIAMS!

Better late that never...

Serena Williams becomes 2012's WIMBLEDON CHAMPION!!!

Blood Clot incident survivor becomes 2012's WIMBLEDON CHAMPION!!!

Congratulations!

Hang in there...

Dear Friends! It has come to my attention that I am having some issues with my PayPal account and for that reason the on-line jersey ordering link is not operating properly. I am working with PayPal to come to a resolution in order to bring it back to working order. If you are in need of the CLOT BUSTER Stop The Clot jersey you can get in touch with me via polka40@hotmail.com and we can make arrangements. Thank you for your patience and support. Thanks for reading, The Clot Buster

June Athlete of the Month === Olympic Edition

It is only fitting that on this year in which we will be witnessing the London Olympics our Athlete of the Month would be someone from "across the pond"...

I am incredibly lucky to be able to get in touch with individuals from all over the world.  It is a thrill to reach to far away places and learn of inspiring stories from clot survivors in different countries.  The challenges and the drive to overcome them is the same regardless of the continent and the language.  Stories from clot survivors continue to motivate me and give me the extra push I need to continue spreading the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders to anyone and everyone...

Please allow me to introduce you to Mr. CHRIS BROWN our JUNE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH who so kindly decided to join the line of inspiring stories by sharing his own.  Being from England he is not a footballer (I am talking about the real deal here people... the beautiful game!) but a runner with a story that it is worth reading...

1)      What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?
I enjoy a number of sports, but running is definitely my favourite. I have been trying to think why I enjoy it, but I really have no idea!

2)      How did you get started in that sport?
I’ve been into running since I was at school and took part in quite a few road races in the 1980s including the 1986 London Marathon and an unusual one-off 10 mile race on the M25 (London’s orbital motorway). Thankfully this was before it had opened.

Whilst at college I joined a couple of running clubs (Chiltern Harriers and London Metros) and at the former got involved in track running for the first time; mainly 200m, 400m and 800m. I was not particularly fast, (PBs of 24.2, 54.6 and 2:05 respectively) so a GB vest was never going to be the outcome, but I really enjoyed the team aspect of the track meetings.

3) What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve? (Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did)
The furthest I’ve run since having DVT is 10 miles at the Great South Run and to be honest I’m a little nervous of running further. My leg seems to be able to cope as long as I don’t go too fast, so I’d like to try a Half Marathon. I’ve just entered the New Forest Half Marathon in September, so we’ll see how that goes. My main aim is just to carry on participating in running for as long as I’m able.

4) Tell us about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?
1992 was the year that I discovered that training actually worked. I ran the London Marathon again and this was followed by a string of modest PBs at varying distances. Unfortunately it was also the year that I experienced Deep Vein Thrombosis.

As seems typical, diagnosis was somewhat delayed. It was partly my own fault for making an assumption that a lower back ache that quickly developed into pains in my leg, was sciatica or similar. I went to an osteopath that a friend had recommended and unsurprisingly his treatment didn’t help, so I visited my General Practitioner. (I should have done this in the first place). However, he didn’t examine my leg at all, but just referred me to an orthopaedic consultant.

To cut a long story short, I had a couple of appointments with the consultant and I don’t recall any specific diagnosis. He was about to send me away for another couple of weeks, when I asked why he thought my leg was so swollen. I think ‘the penny dropped’ at this point and he asked his colleague (a vascular surgeon) to examine me. He took one look at my leg, performed a simple Doppler test and admitted me to hospital there and then. Ten days of heparin and transition to warfarin followed and I am now on warfarin for life. I often wonder how different my prognosis might have been if I had been referred to the vascular consultant in the first place rather than after about 3 or 4 weeks.

It turned out that Protein C deficiency was the root cause of the DVT, though I suspect that dehydration from a weekend of racing in hot weather, including my first and only time of running 10 miles in under 65 minutes, might have tipped the balance.

5) When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time?
Difficult to remember now, but it must have been a good few months before I returned to any exercise. I started by going swimming regularly and then progressed to run/walking, gradually increasing the distance before I had to stop and walk. Due to the damaged valves in my leg and what I now know is called venous insufficiency, my leg felt extremely achy when I ran, but eventually it improved to a manageable level. The closest I can get to describing it, is being on the verge of cramp and after a few miles it feels like I have training weights strapped to my right calf. On the plus side, my left leg always feels great in comparison. Perhaps I should consider a hopping championship. J

6) What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? (Bike brand, running shoes, perhaps a running singlet or the Clot Buster's
Running Polka-Dot Technical Shirt...)
Can I choose two? Firstly there is the Venosan 2003 Compression sock. It’s not the most stylish piece of kit, but I don’t think I could run very far without it.

The second item is my Lordshill Road Runners vest. It represents a running club with a great ethos and a friendly reputation and pulling on the club vest reminds me that despite the DVT, I’m still a runner.

7) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Everyday you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)
I usually get out running two or three times a week. On a good week maybe five times. A year ago I discovered a weekly 5k event called parkrun, which takes place all over the country (UK). So at the very least I try to run my local parkrun every week.

8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...
Now that’s an easy question – marmite toast.

9) If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?
There was a television programme in the UK called Stephen Fry in America. It was about a tour of the United States in a London taxi. I’d like to do something similar, but perhaps not in a taxi!

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.
I used lots of small, but progressive targets, trying to run a little further each time before having to walking and recover. I guess it depends on your particular medical circumstances, but for me, I did gradually improve over a long period of time and eventually I got back to road and track running, albeit a lot slower.

So you might have to forget chasing those old Personal Bests. That’s fine though, as you can now go for a whole new set of post-DVT PBs. They are just as valid, but probably a whole lot more satisfying than the originals.   

Chris - THANK YOU a million times over for sharing your story and providing us your thoughts on how you came down with the clotting incident and how it has impacted your life. 

There is no question that you were able to cope with the challenge on hand and shift expectations to a more reasonable level which in my opinion is a very big key for success when facing the adversity of a clotting incident.

Here is hoping that you get to go on that tour of the US... At the rate that I am going I will be able to supply you with contacts of folks all over the US you share a similar story to yours and I am sure would be willing to guide through their home state.  Ohio is waiting for you to start whenever you are ready...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Racing at the front...

Unless there has been a terrible mistake that rarely happens to me...

I can count in one hand the number of times I've been able to find myself in the front of a race and actually contend...

In the case of triathlons that happened to me two weeks ago at the Morgan's Little Miami Triathlon.

It was a great experience to find myself far enough in front of all who started with me that I only had one guy infront of me to beat.

I gave it everything that I had to try to catch this individual both the Clot Buster polka-dots had to settle for SECOND OVERALL!!!

I still can't believe that I was to pull this one off.  For sure I thought that a later wave there would be someone else that would beat my time. 

Luckily for me that did not happen and thus I get to enjoy, and brag a little, about the fact that I have in fact been a contender in a race that involved many more people than just me.

Don't know if I ever will find myself in a position like that again but I can tell you that I will do everything that I can to hammer out the upcoming swim, bike, and run races searching for that feeling. 

I felt awesome to look back and see no one and to look ahead and see my competition down the road... unfortunately for me I was not able to chip away any more of that lead as pretty much matched our speed and I could not reduce the gap.

So, if you are racing in Ohio this summer be in the look out for the CLOT BUSTER - STOP THE CLOT polka-dots as they may be in contention to continue to stay at the front...

Hey, day dreaming about this cost me nothing...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Get your very own CLOT BUSTER polka-dots to STOP THE CLOT

CLOT BUSTER polka-dots now available for all to spread the word while riding, triathlon racing, running and what ever else you choose to do in these fine tops!

Get yours on-line by clicking on the PayPal button on the top right hand corner of this blog.

These fine clycling jerseys and triathlon tops are the best vehicle for us to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders while playing, training, and/or racing.

Get one for you and one for a friend! All money made from these transactions will be re-invested in the making of more gear to continue spreading the word.

Let's all together be CLOT BUSTERs to STOP THE CLOT!

I look forward to see many of your wearing these polka-dots while doing your activity of choice and thus inspire others to overcome the challenge of a clot incidient.

Thanks for reading,

Roland "The Clot Buster" Varga

May Athlete of the Month

Can you believe this?
Blood Clotting survivor who prior to her clotting incident had completed NOT ONE but TWO IRONMAN distance triathlons is looking to recover fast enough in order to be ready to race her THIRD IRONMAN triathlon in as many years.

I was/am very impressed with May's Athelete of the Month I can't even put it into words. IRONMAN distance triathlon I day dream about and ocassionally drool about...

I can't help to root for this lady and hope with crossed fingers and legs that her clotting incident, which she is about to share with all of us, does not stop her from achieving #3.

Please allow me to introduce you to TAMMY ROETHER who got in touch with me looking for polka-dots to wear.  Well, now she is going to get some very nice looking CLOT BUSTER - STOP THE CLOT polka dots but also she gets to share her story with us... Please read and get inspired because this lady sure is dynamite!

Tell us about your previous Ironman Distance experience...
I completed my first one 2 years ago (big foot tri) a VERY small one in Canada in amazingly clear water. That year I also did Vineman 70.3. Last year I completed Vineman 140.6 and they think that MIGHT have started the clot (dehydration). I was also sick with a cold and in the porta potty 17 times in the 16 hours I was out there. I signed up for Arizona Ironamn 2 days prior to landing in critical care. I almost didn’t sign up, as that was the day that I was crying in pain but I am stubborn like that!    

How did your clotting incident come about?
I started to get headaches, which was not normal. first I thought, its just a headache. So I kept going, not letting anything slow me down. I had 4 half marathons in 4 weeks in 3 states for goodness sake! LOL but finally, the pain was too much and they were too often. I went to the doctors, and they thought it was my cold from a month back returning. They gave me tons of meds, steroids, etc. to take but the pain didn’t stop. I knew that my deductibles were going to be restarting, so I left the doctor a message, asking if we could do whatever the next step was. By the time she called me back, I was crying in pain and she knows I have a pretty good pain tolerance (I mean I do Ironmans! LOL) so she asked if I wanted vicodine, and I said I'll take the pain if it helps you figure this out. She thought I needed sinus surgery (although no history of sinus problems outside of a cold) we got a CT scan and she called me pretty panicked the next day that my CT scan was clear. I said "isn't that good news?" she said "get back there ASAP and get another one done" I asked what she was looking for, and she wouldn’t say. I then asked her if she was looking for a brain tumor and she said yes. I got to live with that for 36 hours before my next CT scan, the day before thanksgiving.    

I went alone as I thought there is no way I would get the results immediately, but I did. They called me into the office and said that it wasn’t cancer. After hearing that, I thought whatever it is, I can handle.  It isn't cancer.  They told me to walk across the parking lot and go to the ER and they were waiting for me. Go immediately they said. I said "why, its just a headache?" they THOUGHT that they saw a brain BLEED. So I went to the ER, they got me hooked up and got an MRI a couple hours later. THEN they finally realized that it was NOT cancer, NOT a bleed but a 2 inch blood clot on the right side of my brain. So I was admitted (and finally allowed to eat!) I was in CCU for 3 days until I let them know that I needed to be able to MOVE. They let me go home with Warfin and injections into my stomach twice a day for a week. Then my IRN got under control.  At first, my pain was gone so this was all silly to me.  No broccoli, no riding my bike outside, no softball, living in a bubble. The hematologist told me to walk around with a helmet on- that wasn’t happening. I had a 1/2 marathon in Vegas in December which the doctors told me no way, not until I got the pain under control and off vicodine.

So I did that. In January I asked the hematologist if I could run a half marathon in Camarillo. He said that he has been in the business 40 yeas and no one had ever asked him that before, so he didn’t know. I told him that I would let him know how it went. and it went fine. I did cry a bit because I was alive and I was out there.  At my 3 month MRI, there was absolutely no change and now they were telling me (only because I asked) that I might go blind.  The wait and see approach no longer was working for me. I had great doctors, don’t get me wrong, just they had not treated anyone my age before (37) or my activity level, or my health level!  The hematologist said I was the healthiest patient he had ever seen- other than the literally 2 inch clot in my brain.

I then became the squeaky wheel, reaching out to everyone, including the live strong group to my neighbor.  Finally a co worker in Texas, told her co worker who told this person who told that person who called the CA Medical board in Sacramento who called UCI.  Now I have a new team of doctors, tons of testing, and tomorrow I go back hopefully for a new action plan. The testing concluded that I have a mutated gene (factor 2) from one parent + birth control pills and possible dehydration caused this to occur.  My mother had her first stroke at 46 and my 41 year old brother had a stroke last year.

There is no reason to be in a bubble...in my opinion the best thing you can do for yourself is to get back to a routine and as normal life as you can. Sounds like you are doing just that.
I couldn’t agree with you more, but I have the fortunate problem of having loved ones who are very stressed out about me being back in the normal life and with reason.  A crash on my bike could kill me or a hit with a softball but this might be the best that I get, and I need to live life.  My clot is in the best possible spot- where the blood leaves my brain (venus sinus and jugluar and one other vein- it is so big it hits 3 veins! I don’t do anything half assed! LOL) so I wont stroke out, but there is a 5% chance a piece could end up in my heart, but I don’t worry about that.

 

What is your favorite piece of gear?  
My favorite piece of gear is my Ironman Jersey- simple blue with rhinestone wings on the back, and I wrote with black sharpie "Dads Wings". My father passed away of a massive heart attach 10 years ago but I feel him lifting me up in every race when I am tired and need a boost.  

What do you ride these days?
I am very proud of the fact that I have completed 2 full distance triathlons on a $450 (+ few minor upgrades) Fuji Bike. Some say they could never do an Ironman because they cannot afford the expensive bike. I love my bike and we have completed 5+ centurys, a half ironman and 2 full ironmans.

What is your favorite food both before and after races? What is your guility pleasure?Pre-race food and post race food are GUILT FREE days! I like a cheese burger and fries the night before a race! After a race, I like chocolate milk, possibly an egg white omellet and a mimosa. If I am doing an Ironman- well I finish near cut off time so I get to eat whatever is still open around midnight! LOL

Where would like to travel someday in the future?With recent health events, I am proud to say that I have done a very good job my entire life of  "live like you were dying".  I have made a point to visit every state in the united states. I am now taking my time and revising them and doing some sort of race/ event in each state. I am really enjoying this. So far the only time I have ever podiumed is in Buffalo NY 5k. I have done a half marathon in Florida, Nevada, CA, Oregon.  I have done a 1.2 mile swim race in beautiful Hawaii. so I am just working that goal, but taking my time with it.

What advice would you give to others going through the same experience of having a clotting incident?
Squeaky wheel gets the oil. I am not the most patient person, and for once, that is a good thing.  I gave them 3 months of the 'wait and see' and then I decided that I was now going to drive this bus.  At first, they wanted me to live in a bubble, but I listened to my body and I knew what I could do.  I kept active as winning this battle is both physical and mental.  I see so many people get depressed- and yes, I completely understand why, so I made a point to keep active and try to keep my life as normal as possible.  Also, educate yourself. there was so much that I was NOT told.  There can be too much information on the internet but I really didn’t find that with this. I researched and then I asked for a copy of my medical records and found out that I could go BLIND.  No doctor informed me of this.  I pressed it and got myself to neuro optometrist and hopefully am saving my eye sight.   

Well Tammy, I wish nothing but the VERY BEST TO YOU as you continue to take charge on your treatment and return to your traning in order to accomplish that 3rd IRONMAN in 3 years.  All of here will follow you closely as I hope that are willing to keep us posted on the progress of your journey.

 

Thank you for your willingness to share the story and provide others the additional inspiration they need to recover from a clotting incident.

 

Thanks your for reading,

 

The Clot Buster

 

THEY ARE HERE!!!

At last!

They are finally here!

CLOT BUSTER polka-dots now available for all to spread the word while riding, triathlon racing, running and what ever else you choose to do in these fine tops!

Get yours on-line by clicking on the PayPal button on the top right hand corner of this blog.

These fine clycling jerseys and triathlon tops are the best vehicle for us to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders while playing, training, and/or racing.

Get one for you and one for a friend!  All money made from these transactions will be re-invested in the making of more gear to continue spreading the word. 

Let's all together be CLOT BUSTERs to STOP THE CLOT!

I look forward to see many of your wearing these polka-dots while doing your activity of choice and thus inspire others to overcome the challenge of a clot incidient.

Thanks for reading,

Roland "The Clot Buster" Varga

April Athlete of the Month

April is a very special month.
Not because is the month in which I was born.

But because I get the opportunity to feature individuals that have truly inspiring stories of survival and perseverance.

This April I came across KRISTINE HINTERKOPF's story on NBCA's website and once more I was stopped on my tracks as to how anyone, regardless of age - physical ability - background, can fall victim to a blood clotting incident...

Please read on to learn about Kristine's clotting episode but most importantly how she is bouncing back and returning to what she loves to do...

"Running is my greatest passion at age 27, my passion nearly cost me my life. Last March, I ran a half-marathon and went straight into training for a full marathon. I noticed a pain in my hip after I completed the half-marathon, but like most runners, I ran through the pain. As it turned out, I had a stress fracture in my hip that required surgery. All things considered, my out-patient surgery went well and I was even able to get up and walk around a bit. I seemed to be well on my way to recovery when everything changed. I wore compression hose for the first 3 days after surgery, but did not get any blood thinners. I was taking hormonal birth control pills, and even though I was aware they carried risk for blood clots, I saw myself as at very low risk. I had previous surgery without any problems, so I saw myself as a model of good health, and at low risk. Moreover, there is no history of blood clots in my immediate family.

A week after my surgery, I felt a strange flutter in my heart and sudden shortness of breath when I got up during the night. I’ve had asthma all my life, so shortness of breath was not foreign to me. I figured I just needed a minute to catch my breath, but it persisted. I called my Mom into my room and told her I thought I was having an asthma attack, even though a little voice in the back of my head told me it was something worse than my typical asthma attack. I ignored that warning voice, and told myself, “I’m 27, I’m healthy, and it is just an asthma attack.”

Thankfully, my mother had the sense to call 911, despite my pleas not to. Calling an ambulance for an asthma attack seemed a bit ridiculous to me. When the EMTs (emergency medical technicians) arrived, I was given oxygen and a nebulizer treatment, which did not make any difference. I knew that another real possibility was a pulmonary embolism (PE) from an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, so TV actually taught me something. I wasn’t wheezing, so that was another clue that it was not an asthma attack.

I was rushed to the ER and a CT scan showed I had multiple bilateral PEs. My years with asthma accustomed me somewhat to the threat of being unable to catch my breath, although it is always very scary.

Everything after my diagnosis is a bit of a blur. They airlifted me to a larger hospital, where they found a clot in my calf. They admitted me into ICU and I spent the next week in the hospital. Thankfully, I responded quickly to treatment and was released from ICU after one day, and was transferred to the cardiac floor. Ironically, the reason I responded so quickly was because I was in great shape from running, even though my running was what caused the initial injury that necessitated hospitalization. My week in the hospital was incredibly hard on me. Doctors and nurses were constantly poking me with needles and checking my blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiratory rates. All I could think about was how much my life had changed in a month. I went from being a healthy runner to a hospitalized patient.

What no one talked to me about at all is how hard it is to go home from the hospital. I experienced a range of emotions once I got home. I was angry, scared, depressed, and even confused. It’s been 8 months and I still have my ups and downs, although I’m extremely grateful I survived. I still have my bad days. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m scared a lot of the time. I’m scared I’m going to clot again, or that I won’t be so lucky if I have another clot. I’m scared that I’ll end up on blood thinners for the rest of my life. As scared as I am, I’m a strong person and I’m not going to let this change me. I’m going to keep running and racing and getting back to doing what I love. I hiked to the top of a 14,300 foot mountain four months after discharge from the hospital, and it felt amazing.

Needless to say, I’ve stopped taking birth control pills, and I am awaiting test results to see whether I have any clotting disorders. I was blindsided by feelings of invincibiIity that is common amongst people my age, and the belief that blood clots only happen to older people. I hope that by sharing my story, I can help others going through the same thing. It is scary and the recovery is tough, but I’ve already done the hardest thing – I’ve survived.

I think it is important to share my experience to dispel some of these assumptions. Blood clots happen to people who are older or out so shape, but also in some instances, to the young and active."

After reading this I am ready to head out and go train...

I hope that you feel the same way and as you get ready to head out and get back to do what ever is that you love stop by KRISTEN'S FUNDRAISING PAGE to help her reach goal as she continue to pursue that running passion on her next challenge the MISSOULA HALF-MARATHON this coming July!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

RUNCBUS 10 Miller - Gahanna. OH

10 Miles.

In 1 hour 11 Minutes and 28 seconds.

It does not seem to be a very long distance.

However, while running it my whole body was on fire from the effort.

Hard to believe but I was able to stay under 7 minutes per mile until mile 6.

Then I significantly started to slow down because we hit the hilly part of the course.

THRILLED with shaving the better part of 90 seconds from last year's time.

So it looks like I am improving for the 2012 Clot Buster Triathlon Season.

Let's see if I can shed a few more lbs and then I will be in business...

Can't wait to get out oand be racing. More so now that I have more in the Varga Family ready to cheer me on...

Very much looking forward to getting the newest CLOT BUSTER - STOP THE CLOTS jerseys out on the roads and racing.

For now I am attempting to recover and birthday cake all of this week is getting me there.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

DON'T STOP SPREADING THE WORD...

Just because March is ending does not mean that we need to stop spreading the work about blood clots and blood clotting disorders...

Every month, EVERY DAY should be BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS TIME...

With that in mind let me provide a little help...

Every time you decide to ride your bicycle or run or triathlon race you can continue spreading the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders...

All you need to do is get yourself your very own CLOT BUSTER - STOP THE CLOT - polka dots...

CYCLING ENTHUSIASTS

RUNNING and TRIATHLON ENTHUSIASTS

Starting on May 10th you too can have your very own CLOT BUSTER polka dots.

All proceeds from this sale of jerseys to go 100% towards NBCA's mission to STOP THE CLOT.

Cycling Jersey - Available in all Sizes for $85.00

Triathlon Jersey - Available in all Sizes for &75.00
Please reserve yours by either replying to this blog post or dropping me a line at polka40@hotmail.com

DON'T STOP SPREADING THE WORD about STOP THE CLOT just because March ends... GET YOUR CLOT BUSTER POLKA DOTS!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

March Athlete of the Month

By now you should know that March is BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH.

For all of us associated with work of spreading the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders March is VERY IMPORTANT.

As such, I get to feature someone on this series of posts that will blow you away.

Please let me introduce you to DANIELLE HINDE who is without a question one of the most inspiring individuals that I have ever met. Her drive and determination are incredible as she has decided that a blood clotting inciddent is not about to slow her down with her goals.

Speaking of goals DANIELLE is running the L.A. MARATHON on Sunday 03/18/2012 and as celebration of that event she set up a fundraising page in order to raise funds to help the misssion of The National Blood Clot Alliance to www.STOPTHECLOT.org. Let's give Danielle a hand in pushig the needle up on her fundraising effort.

Are you ready to be energized?

Please read on...


1) What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?
I am an endurance junkie. I crave the seemingly impossible events like Ironman, Half Ironmans and Marathons. It's my therapy and my religion. After a tough day, all I need is a long run with my ipod and the stress of the day dissipates. I also love pushing my body and mind to limits that are almost inhuman and then pushing it further than that. There is nothing more rewarding than that, as painful as it may be sometimes.

2) How did you get started in that sport?
I didn't know how to swim properly and water actually horrified me so I figured what better way to get over that fear than to repeatedly swim 2.4 miles in open water. I loved to cycle and run so once I was passed that swim portion, I was good to go.

3) What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?(Longbike ride, some race coming up or that you did)
I am racing the LA Marathon this upcoming weekend, my third time doing it. My "first" marathon was three years ago and it was a much different experience running a marathon without having to swim 2.4 miles and 112 miles before it.

4) Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinnersnow? How long were you out of commission?
In late August of 2011, I was suffering from pretty severe chest pains on my left side and my breathing was pretty restricted. I thought I was just having allergies or pulled a muscle from the gym so I was about to leave my office and go home and rest. Fortunately my very concerned boyfriend made me drive straight to the hospital once he heard my strained breathing. Five hours later after a barrage of tests, the doctor tells me I am the case study of the night and I have pulmunary embolisms in both lungs. I wasn't on birth control, I don't smoke, I'm insanely active so how did this happen to me? I spent the next five days in the hospital trying to figure that out. I got an ultrasound on both legs and they found a blood clot in my right leg and an old blood clot in the left leg that was scarred over. All the missing pieces finally came together. Over the past two years I went to an orthopedic to figure out why my calves and ankles were often so swollen and painful. He did an ultrasounds three separate times over the years, all below the knee, and just said I strained my muscle and to not run for about four weeks. If he just looked above my knee, he would have seen the clots. It was frustrating to know I was misdiagnosed so many times and to think back on all the dangerous situations I put myself in like doing Ironman New Zealand with a blood clot in my leg. I also found out I had Factor V Leiden and all my international traveling contributed to my clots. I am thankful that I now have a handle on it and can prevent any further clots. I was put on Coumadin and Lovenox. I had a horrible aversion to coumadin and ended up staying on Lovenox for 4 months. I am now taking Xarelto which has been working great thus far. I was in and out of hospital for about two weeks and then laid up in my bed for another two weeks. I would take long walks but that's about it. Finally about three months later, I went on my first run which was the best feeling ever. I felt like a caged animal set free. I wasn't given "permission" to do this but I'm also the girl who did an Ironman with a broken shoulder so I have a habit of listening to my body and it usually tells me when I'm ready. And now 7 months later, I'm doing a marathon.


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

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...)
My Mizuno running shoes are my favorite, been running with them for about 7 years. I am also obsessed with my stella mccartney running top, it's survived every Ironman I've ever done.

7) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Everyday you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)
I train almost everyday, I take one day off a week. It's my entire culture and lifestyle.

8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...
I never drink soda but I always crave diet coke after a very long run or race.

9) If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?
I would love to disappear to Maui for a few months and just run and lounge in the sun everyday or go to Montana and ride horses.

10) What would like to say to someone who is going through a clottingepisode, 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.
The WORST thing to do is to scare yourself with all the information online. You can work yourself up into a panic reading all the stories. I know I did, I thought I was dying everyday. I was hyper aware of everything my body was doing, even if it was just indigestion. Obviously, everybody is different and has their own experiences but listen to your body/doctor and don't be too fearful. I feel like I'm the wrong person to ask when you should go back to what you love because I always jump the gun, I always return to something when I feel like I'm not in danger anymore and that my body can handle it. It's all about coming back super slow, giving your body time to adjust. However, if you feel like something may be off, don't be scared to say something to your doctor. A few weeks ago my calf was feeling strained so I got an ultrasound. Everything was totally clear and it was just a running pain as I was gearing up for this marathon but it doesn't hurt anyone just to double check and be sure.


Thankfully I am doing this update to the blog way late in the night because otherwise I would have laced on my Mizuno's as well and would have gone for a run...

The human body and mind are amazing. Even more amazing is the fact that I can share these stories and experiences with you.

Danielle - THANK YOU for your willingness to share. I can't wait to check the results on Sunday 03/18/2012. If and when I do an Ironman I will be calling for you for some tips and motivation!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

February Athlete of the Month

Today's technology is amazing.

Who knew that my blog was/is being read all over the world.

Ever more amazing is the fact that my unique Hungarian background provides an additional twist to the power of today's technology.

It turns out that my blog has found it's way to Hungary and sometime back I got a note in Hungarian from a clot survivor very interested in getting the Clot Buster polka-dot colors to Hungary in order to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

In the process of ex-changing emails I got the chance to get to know this person that I am about to introduce to you as FEBRUARY's Athlete of the Month. Please welcome ADAM NOVAK to our group of clot survivor athletes who are willing to share their story with us.

I got the opportunity to ask Adam some questions and here are the answers he shared with me... read on and enjoy!

1) What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?
Before I had my DVT last year my sport was triathlon. I started swimming when I was 6. Then after swimming in the pool 15 years I looked for new adventures, so I started trathlon. Running was always difficult for me, I was always slow, at cycling I was at an avarage level. I was always best at swimming.
A few weeks after my DVT I sterted swimming again. Then came cycling and runnig was the last. Now, I am not running a lot partly because I do not have time to do that. I ride my bike a couple of times a week but mainly swim again (3-4 times a week.)

2) How did you get started in that sport?I was 6. I was at a high level in my young ages.

3) What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?(Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did)
Now I am planning to swim a lot. I feel it is good for my leg recovery and it is also a sport that I am good at. Currently, I am doing short distances 50-400 m swim races and open water races. A few weeks ago I won 2 national awards at an International Masters Swimming Competetion in middle Europe at 50 and 100 m freestyle.

4) Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?
It was last winter. I was training, running. I felt that my left leg hurt but I had no idea why. I thought the pain would go away but it actually got worse. I went to the doctors and he said it was a muscle tear. He asked me to go home and rest. I did. After a few days the pain got worse, I could hardy walk and I also got temperature. I went back. He said to be patient and go back home. I did. After two weeks I went back for the 3rd time but this time even walking was a lot of pain. Then he made a scan of my leg and he found a clot. I spent about a week at hospital. Then went home and laid for a few days at home too.

5) When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time?
It was about 3 weeks after my clotting episode. It felt bloody good :-D

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 would like to wear the polka dot shirt but have not donated so far. Naughty :-D I will...
I also like our own bike brand and biking style. www.carbonrecumbent.com These are bikes we manufacture. We actually have a few customers who buy our bikes because they are good for lower extremity circualation issues. It is an interesting intesection in my life...


7) How much are you getting out doing your sport?
3-4 times a week.

8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...
I like everything. I like vegetables and fruits but meats are also a choice.

9) If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?
New Zealand. I have been there already but that is the place I loved in my life so far even if I have been to nice other places too.

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.
This is a hard question to answer. I felt very healthy before. I feel healthy now but I know what happened. Now I am taking medications but when I leave them I do not really know what will prevent me from another clotting episode because even doctors do not know why it happened. What I learned is that DVT is unpredictable and basically everyone can get it. I was 27, healthy athlete. I always asked myself before: why? Now, I am not thinking much and do not really care about what people say on the internet about their DVTs and how depressed they are because of their episode and the long-term medication. I had mine. I am over it and I am out there, I am working, racing, having a family and enjoying my life. There is nothing else I expect.

I still can't believe that I was able to make contact with Adam and learn about his story. Reading the blog of his company I need to make my way to Hungary and ride out there. I believe I have a tour guide in place. Even on a recumbent bike he will still smoke me...

Adam, NAGYON KOSZONOM HOGY EL TUDTAT KULDENI A LEVELET! SOKNAK FOG SEGITENI! (In Hungarian - Thank You very much for sending your story. Many will benit from it).

I can't wait to see what other corner of the world this blog will get to. Check back and see from where the next Athlete of the Month will come from.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

WAIT FOR IT... WAIT FOR IT...

WAIT FOR IT...

It is coming very soon!

January Athlete of the Month

Once more that magic of the web put me in contact with an individual who is without a question a perfect candidate to be Janaury's Athlete of the Month.

Please allow me to introduce to DAVID PIETRANGELO who is clot survivor and a person with story that is worth reading because blood clotting episodes can happen to anyone at any time.

Read on David's story as he told it to me and get inspired because if there is a will there is a way to return to your normal life...


"I have always been extremely active and competitive. I was born into playing soccer, starting around the age of 4. That was my sports life until high school then came hockey. In college I discovered the gym and have been a gym rat ever since. A serious gym rat though not a weekend warrior or just going through a fad. Everyone knew me as the workout freak and the healthy eater etc. I have been that way since I was 18, health and physical fitness have always been a huge part of my life.

In August 2010 I went to Japan to meet some of my then girlfriend’s relatives and just to experience a great country and culture. While I was there I kept up my workouts with running etc. I noticed that my calves were really hurting me, I did not think much of it and just went about my time there site seeing and enjoying everything. I noticed that my calves would really hurt when I woke and first got out of bed but they would feel better once I started walking and even jogging. Being active all my life I just figured these were normal pains and muscle aches that would simply go away.

When I got back from Japan the calf pain persisted but I continued to go to the gym and play soccer. I noticed that my next few soccer games that I was out of breathe a lot quicker which was very unusual for me but just thought it was due to being on vacation for a couple of weeks. I then started to get short of breathe doing normal things like walking from the train to work. I also noticed a sharp pain in the middle of my back. I had similar pains in the past due to the gym and working out so still I did not seek think anything was wrong and did not seek any medical attention.

One day I just felt terrible, completely out of it so I went to the nurse at work. She got me a quick appointment at a Cardio Vascular center by my job. I went and they did several tests; breathing, heart and even a doplar scan of my legs. All the tests came back negative and the said that I had some type of adult asthma and gave a prescription for an inhaler. I thought this was pretty strange to get asthma at 30 years old but I took their advice and went home. I dropped my prescriptions off and when to my girlfriend’s house to wait for them. At this point I am having real trouble breathing and the pain in my back was very sharp and consistent. When I got back to the house I asked my girlfriend to pick up the prescription because I could barely move. While she was out the pain just got to be too much and I walked to the emergency room which was luckily right across the street. It took me about 10 minutes to go half a block to the hospital. I had to wait the usual 30 or 40 minutes to be admitted, then I told the doctor how the whole day had went. They did all the normal tests, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. The basically said there is nothing they could find and that I should go home. I flat out told the doctors I CANT BREATHE I cannot go home! The doctors said since I was having trouble breathing there was one more test they could do, a CT Scan. I needed a painkilling injection just to lay down for the test.
There it was... a bi-lateral Pulmonary Embolism. I was baffled I had heard of them but did not really know what they were. They said that it was very rare for someone my age (30) to get a PE but they have seen it before. I was admitted that night and stayed in the hospital about a week. The next day they did another doplar and found a DVT behind my left knee. I was scared, my family and loved ones were scared. In the hospital I heard every cause from cancer to the long flight to Japan.
When I got out of the hospital and started to see a specialist I got the low down on what had happened to me and what the treatment was. I ended up on Arixtra injectable blood thinner. I was supposed to be on this for 6 months initially and then everything would be back to normal. Long story short I saw about 4 different doctors who gave me 4 different opinions. I had everything from I would be on blood thinners for the rest of my life to I could stop immediately. I ended up staying with a doctor I saw about 10 months into treatment who said I should just finish out a year of treatment but with the last 2 months at a reduced dose. All the genetic test were negative, no family history no risk factors...so they say the reason was the 15 hour flight to Japan.

I have been off blood thinners for about 3 months now. While I was taking the injections all the contact sports I loved (soccer, hockey, flag football etc) were out of the question. This got me more into running and swimming. This eventually led to swimming, running, and biking... so TRIATHLON! I did my first few races while on blood thinners and my last couple while off them. I also became very interested in obstacle races like Spartan race. After being sick I really re-dedicated myself to fitness and my health. I really just want to take advantage of everything I can. When I was sick I thought I might never do the things I loved again. While I was in treatment I was always thinking that something bad was going to happen like internal bleeding. In the end I just had to decide that my risk factors were very low and that physical activity was huge part of my life.

I want people to know that if you experience DVT or PE that you can get back to the things you love. Get several opinions from doctors and don’t take only one persons opinion. You need to do your research and you need to make educated decisions about your future. Do not get down on yourself and do not give up."


What do you think?

How lucky am I and all of us to have David sharing his story with us?

Without a question we need to be proactive and defend our position with doctors just like David did. If he did not persist they would still be wondering about his "adult asthma". Be aware and be proactive those are the lessons I am taking away from David story.

I hope to get the chance to race with him in a triathlon some day. I better start training because otherwise he will be waiting for me at the finish line for far too long.

David - Thank you for sharing your experience!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

If you had the chance...

While swimming this afternoon (much longer set than ever thanks to the "Hour of Power" I just completed) I got thinking about the following:

If I was good enough to be able to approach sponsors through my agent, what sponsors would I have? Since this is as possible as me growing a pony tail let's dream on...

*** NUTELLA >>> Would be title sponsor. I can't get enough of that goodness.

*** CHIPOTLE >>> Speaking of goodness... it simply does not get much better than that.

*** KESTREL OR DOLAN for bikes.

*** MIZUNO OR KARHU for shoes. Over the last 6 years the only pair of shoes that I have used. Mizuno's Wave Rider just provides that security cushion and stability that I cherish while running.

*** SPIUK >>> Fine clothing that I wish I could have more to use and put to the test.

For a second there I thought I could come up with a lot more choices but truly I could not think of any more that I would LOVE to represent.

Maybe if I ever get around to grow that pony tail I mentioned before perhaps a sponsorship opportunity can come my way...

In the mean time I better concentrate in getting faster at all three of my sports and prepare for the 2012 season that should be a fun with a new CLOT BUSTER jersey in the works...

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

My new ride...

Check out my new set of shoes for 2012...

What do you think?

How do they look? (Mrs. Clot Buster does not like them AT ALL...)

Can you guess the brand?

So far, I've only ran a handful of times on these and they feel very comfortable. We will see how fast I get to with them during my training and racing this year.

Speaking of racing, I will be out there again this year doing some local triathlons so be in the lookout for the polka-dots...

In addition to a handfull of triathlons I am toying with the idea of celebrating my entrance into a new age group category with an epic event. Nothing bigger than doing a MARATHON... However, I am only doing it if I can manage to bring my weight down to under 172 by Junior's birthday June 3rd. If I am able to do that I am either racing the Dayton, OH Air Force Marathon (September 15th) or perhaps the Columbus Marathon (October 12th). We will see how it goes... Stay tuned!

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

BIKE SALE!!!

Please check out the following link for a sale on bike frame that it is too good to be true...

http://dolanbikes.com/

I personally have a DOLAN HERCULES and I am in love with that machine.

Go ahead and take advantage of this great opportunity!

I highly recommend both the bikes and the folks from DPMSports to take care of you!

Thanks for reading,

THE CLOT BUSTER

What a start of 2012...

Words cannot explain how lucky were.

Although he came early and he is not home with us yet.

Getting the chance to see this little one every day makes me the happiest man on the planet.

It is an amazing feeling to hold him in my arms and know about his progress every day.

Check out this angel, his big brother and proud parents!










Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

December Athlete of the Month

What better way to close the year and celebrate the Holidays than reading the following inspiring story of survival from a clotting incident.

Let me introduce you to Mr. CEDRIC BILL and his story as told by him...
"As U.S. Army Master Fitness Trainer, I was used to physically challenging my body. So it was not unusual, when in August of 2002 I shrugged off a sharp pain in the calf of my leg – a pain that had jolted me from a restful morning sleep. “What is it,” I thought, and quickly determined that I had a muscle sprain. Shortly thereafter, I went about my business without any concern.

But as the days passed, the pain worsened despite my efforts – such as massaging. A noticeable shortness of breath soon started a few days after the onset of the leg pain. Yet, I continued my work routine. But on the fifth day since my initial calf pain, a most alarming thing occurred – my leg started to swell!

Finally, I went to an emergency room where doctors found that I was suffering from a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and a bilateral PE (pulmonary embolism). I was successfully treated for the clotting issues and I began to restart what I thought would be a normal life.

Unfortunately, a normal life was not something that was going to follow because since that day in August of 2002 I have had repeated episodes of DVT’s and PE’s. My most frightening occurrence happened in February of 2005 while I was stationed in Hawaii. That incident produced a very life-threatening clotting situation and I was laid up in a hospital bed for three weeks.

What surprised me then, after leaving the hospital, was how long it took me to learn how to walk properly again. If you don’t know, blood clots are very painful and this one had affected my entire leg, even extending into my vena cava valve that leads towards the heart. It seemed like my body was out of control.

Doctors had inserted a filter in my vein to catch clots and prevent them from traveling to my lungs. Despite their efforts, I still managed to get clots in both lungs. Medication eased what was a critical life-threatening situation. Meanwhile, my military career was in shambles. In March, I was medically retired from the Army, receiving a 70 percent disability rating. I never saw my career ending this way – especially since I had trained entire units of soldiers (and individuals) with physical fitness programs to get and keep them in shape. I had never been seriously ill and I was way too young to have medical problems. Besides, I WAS a Master Fitness Trainer!

Physically, my body was suffering as each episode created more damage to veins in the legs – causing a condition known at post phlebitic syndrome. In addition to the filter in my chest, I now wear a compression stocking on my affected leg every day and a permanent handicap sticker now adorns my car.

The thing I learned as a personal trainer was to always train around injuries – most importantly was to keep moving as much as possible to so that good health is maintained. I do that today – walking everyday for 30 minutes and weight training at least three times a week.

What I didn’t realize before all this happened was that clotting disorders are not age discriminating and they don’t just affect those in poor physical condition. Having had three DVT’s and multiple PE’s, my life has changed completely. At age 41, I’m not done living an active life while taking my daily Coumadin and watching my diet.

I wonder how things would have been if I had only known the warning signs of this silent killer. I was very lucky. Many others are not. Remember, the best cure for this condition is prevention and knowledge of the warning signs. Seek medical attention immediately. For me, I’d much rather be running again, playing softball, and playing with my children. But I am lucky and alive."

Although Mr. Cedric's life changed due to his clotting episodes he definitely has not slowed down. After retiring from the military after 22 years of service as an Army Officer he found a new calling in which he inspires others through his motivational speeches. He is know as "Cedric "The Edutainer"" and from what I can read he does an outstanding job.

For me knowing Mr. Cedric's story only gives me more drive to do what I can to keep spreading the word and make as many people as possible aware of the warning signs of blood clots as early treatment can make a significant difference in the outcome.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster