August Athlete of the Month

Can you believe it? 

The CLOT BUSTER @TeamStopTheClot polka-dots are everywhere...At the end July I got the opportunity to race at the OHIO Ironman70.3 Triathlon and because we are growing I got the chance to race with the February 2020 Athlete of the Month... Michael "The Thunder"... https://clot-buster-triathlete.blogspot.com/2020/02/february-athlete-of-month.html on a truly wonderful day to suffer and display the Clot Buster @TeamStopTheClot polka-dots. Michael inspired me to fight through the pain and finish to the best of my abilities. Here is wishing him well as he is getting ready to double the distance and throw down in September with a Full Ironman in Chattanooga, TN.  BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!

Speaking of Blood Clot Survivors being able to do anything... We are raising the bar for the August edition of the Athlete of the Month Series. In fact that bar is so high you can hang from it and swing from it to another obstacle all while being suspended over tanks of water.  These obstacles are truly insane and only a few individuals have what it takes to overcome them.

Please allow me to introduce to you CALEB... he is unreal... Why? 

Well because he is one of a kind. He is a Blood Clot Survivor but also a competitor in AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR...!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!

I am trying very hard to think of something else to write here but I don't have the words...

We have been fans of American Ninja Warrior for many years. We have been to a variety of ninja gyms and very much enjoyed the challenges of this sport. But to learn of a Blood Clot Survivor being good enough to be on the National Qualifiers is truly mind blowing. This is very cool and I am super thrilled that  Caleb has been kind enough to share his story with us.

This is so amazing... Go ahead and read on!

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

Ninja Warrior! It is an absolutely great way to stay in shape. I prefer to "play" to keep physically fit. Whether it's ninja, mountain biking, hiking, or acrobatics, I prefer exercise to be a by-product of fun!

How did you get started in that sport? 

Prior to ninja I was in the US Coast Guard for 10 years and was medically discharged (honorably) after being diagnosed with narcolepsy. When I was looking for things to do I stumbled upon a ninja warrior gym, had a ton of fun, and opened one of my own!

What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?

I made it to the LA city finals on American Ninja Warrior, and was only 1 spot away from the Vegas finals.

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

Just a month after having our baby (at 33 years old), I started having burning in both of my lungs one evening. A year prior I had a condition called Pleurisy, where your lung lining is inflamed, after a backflip incident bruised my ribs. I figured that was happening again, but the pain kept getting worse so I finally went to the ER after I was unable to sit down. I told the ER it was probably just Pleurisy and I needed something to help with the inflammation. Luckily, they ran a gambit of tests on me and after a CT scan found a small PE in each lung. They kept me for a bit to monitor the situation and put me on blood thinners. I then went to a clot specialist and was put on Eliquis and told not to train for a few weeks or do anything ninja related because of falls. I was of course devastated because that's what I love! The specialist ran through the spectrum and what felt like 1000 blood vials to find the cause, but nothing was determined, which is a little scary. After getting an ultrasound and being on Eliquis for about 8 months I was cleared to switch to a daily aspirin and resume training.

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

8 months. It was a struggle. I lost hope and wanted to quit several times. Before my clot I was at my peak athletically, recently finishing top 10 in the world finals. When I finally got my mind right and committed to the process I felt like myself again!

 

What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?

My water bottle. I am big on staying hydrated and tell everyone I can on the importance of fueling your body with what it needs to perform or recover.

How much are you getting out doing your sport? 

Off season is about 3 times a week, and when I get after it I'm training 5-6 days. Some days are active recovery, you can't out train your body's need to repair. Rest is important!

What is your favorite food?  Either generally or after a workout. 

I take a whole foods approach. If it's real and unprocessed it's in my diet. Date/nut bars and mixed nuts are my go to snack. I do have cheat days once a week or every other week where I eat junk food and regret it the next day LOL. 

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

I want to hit the mountain bike trails of Whistler Mountain in Canada. 

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 returned to action.

It sucks. Your feelings of loss and being depressed are normal. Recognize them and feel them, but don't let them become who you are. Give yourself grace on difficult days. I almost gave up on ninja several times, and that's okay. Set small goals and work on your mindset. Remember to listen to your doctor, recovery is a marathon, not a sprint and listen to your body! 

Thank you Caleb for sharing your story with us!

You are AN INSPIRATION!!! Never stop going forward and pushing the envelope. Your success as a Blood Clot Survivor on the Ninja Warrior course  will inspire all those who are looking to overcome just like you have.

Someday I hope to make it to your Gym (https://flipsideninja.com/) and try to hang on some of the obstacles. I am not sure I will be able to do much else other than just "hang" on the obstacles... I will let professionals like you workout all the tricks!  

BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

July Athlete of the Month

Are you feeling the heat...?!?!?

Love, LOVE summer time.  No better time of the year as the CLOT BUSTERs #TeamStopTheClot polka-dots are out there training and racing.

I am very fortunate to be able to do what I can do swimming, biking, and running.  But even more fortunate is to get the chance to engage with folks as they see the polka-dots and they ask about them. Getting to talk about the polka-dots opens up the flood gates to talk about the work that NBCA is doing in many fronts, as well as the celebration of blood clot survivors being to do what they can in their come backs, and lastly the remainder that along the way we do lose folks because of blood clots when those clotting incidents could have been prevented.  There are plenty of reasons why we need to wear the polka-dots and all of them are greatly important.

Everyday I learn something new from this community that keeps me inspired and will inspire you as well.

Summer is also the season of Golf.

Definitely not for me but for many others it is. I truly admire the skill required to get that white little ball going where you want it to go.  I also admire the level frustration I have seen from some people when the shots don't go as planned. Just like any other sport dedication, talent, and some luck are all keep components to any success. I have tried my hand a few times and I ended up drinking more cervezas than hitting the ball with any sort of accuracy. Perhaps it is time to consider getting the CLOT BUSTERS #TeamStopTheClot polka-dots on to a polo shirt so that the polka-dots can also get on the golf courses of the world!

Well, I bring up golf on this post because I just learned through our network of blood clot survivors that an active PGA Professional Golfer is in fact a blood clot survivor.  How about that?

In fact this Blood Clot Survivor also came close to a victory in the Rocket Mortgage Classic that was played from July 1st through the 4th.  TROY MERRITT came in second on this tournament which is truly remarkable considering what he went through back in 2018 when his clotting incident took place.  He is definitely a picture of consistency despite some of the hurdles he had to overcome.

I found a couple of articles that explain in pretty good detail the extent of his clotting incident and what he had to do recover.

ARTICLE FROM THE GOLF CHANNEL 

ARTICLE FROM OTBSPORTS.com

In the more than 13 years of doing this blog I don't recall ever getting the opportunity to feature the story of a professional golfer. It is great to read that he has been able bounce back from his clotting incident and continues his professional career at the highest level. 

For sure I need to consider the polka-dots for a polo shirt at some point in the future. They will have to be subtle so that they wont distract your opponents at the golf course...

Keep on enjoying the summer as much as you can while doing what you love. At the golf course or anywhere else... BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!

Thank you for reading.

The Clot Buster

June Athlete of the Month

Time is flying...

I blinked a few times and the school year is over + May is gone + and I have been enjoying the fires in our backyard a lot.

Racing in the CLOT BUSTER #TeamStopTheClot polka-dots is coming into focus and June, July and August will have me doing some serious triathloning... the only problem is that I have not been in a pool since last September... I am going to be scrambling to get ready for my first race in 2 weeks time... I just need for our local pool to open PRONTO!

The inspiration to race in the #TeamStopTheClot polka-dots is there and growing every day.  Getting the opportunity to meet more Blood Clot Survivors and learning about their stories keeps the fire going so that I can get the polka-dots out racing to Celebreate and Remember ALL BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS.  

Very excited to share with your LINDSAY's story for the June Athlete of the Month post.  She does two of the sports I enjoy a great deal and that I am getting to race more and more.  Certainly Lindsay's story will bring along a great deal of motivation and inspiration to get out there because she is a perfect example of the fact that BLOOD CLOT SURRVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!  Many Thanks to Lindsay for sharing her story.

Please read on and enjoy!

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

Cycling & Kayaking! I love that I can take my bike out and ride anywhere in nature and I love kayaking because it's a fun activity on the water! I get to explore different areas either by bike or kayak! 

How did you get started in that sport? 

I begged my uncle for my first bike while on a camping trip when I was really young! I saw so many kids riding their bikes around the campground and it looked so fun. I just started kayaking a few years ago when a friend of mine invited me to try their kayak on a lake near our house. I was scared at first but was instantly hooked! 

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

I just completed my second PeloFondo event since my clotting episode. The first one I rode a total of 38 miles just 5 weeks after being cleared to get back on my bike. I set a goal to ride 50 miles 3 months later during the second event and I did it!

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

I ended up in the ER the evening of Oct 5, 2020 with severe shortness of breath, after blacking out. My imaging showed both lungs full of clots with severe right heart strain/pulmonary hypertension. I was taken to emergency surgery for 5 hours to remove as many clots as possible. After a short stay in the ICU and a couple of nights in the CCU I was discharged home. I am currently on blood thinners and will likely remain on them for the rest of my life. I was off work for 3 months and returned Jan 4, 2021. 

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

My cardiologist and pulmonologist cleared me to start riding my bike at low intensity/short duration on Dec 7, 2020 - 2 months after my clots/surgery. I started off on my indoor spin bike (Peloton) doing 5 min rides. I felt so weak, which was frustrating, but I was thankful to be on the bike and was determined to improve and get stronger! 

What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?

I love my Peloton and Trek hybrid bike. My favorite kayak is my Perception Tribe! 

How much are you getting out doing your sport? 

I have not been kayaking since my clotting event - yet. But plan to asap! I am biking 4-5 days/week both indoor and outdoor! 

What is your favorite food?  

I love Thai food and sushi! :) But Mexican food is a favorite as well! 

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

I'd love to go to Switzerland! 

What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours?  How can people return todo what they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after as you returned to action.

Be patient with yourself. Your body has experienced trauma and it will take time to heal. Find what you can do comfortably and start there, and build slowly as you start to feel stronger. I wear a heart rate monitor and have my target heart rates calculated so I know what my safe zones are (and the zones to avoid/when to back off or slow down) and I discussed those numbers with my medical team. I always wear my heart rate monitor for all activity. Stay hydrated, drink lots of water and stay active as much as you can - even if you can only walk a few steps starting out. And always discuss with your medical team - your plans, how things are going, what you're seeing/experiencing, how you're feeling, and any concerns. Blood Clot survivors are warriors!! 

So glad that when you were treated adn diagnosed properly right from the start. So many times we have seen that it has taken several attempts at a diagnosis before the appropriate determination is made. It gives me hope that we are improving in our diagnosis of clotting events so that treatments can be started when needed.

Very cool that you are back on your bike CRUSHING IT and soon enough ready to get back in the water with your Kayak. No doubt that it will feel incredible when you get back in the boat and cruise along. Can't wait to hear about where you will be able to go exploring because YOU CAN!

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

May AthleteS of the Month

BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING!

BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS ARE AN INSPPIRATION!

You have heard me say this time and time again.

I believe this to be absolutely true.

I am always so proud to be able to wear the CLOT BUSTER #TeamSTOPTHECLOT polka-dots because I am inspired by what Blood Clot Survivors can do.

Speaking of Blood Clot Survivors doing...

During our March event we had 3 Blood Clot Survivors be part of the top 10 individuals who tracked their mileage every day of the month. There were more than 150 people doing tracking for the month.

How incredible is that? 

You know that I was tracking my mileage too and silently I was doing my very best to compete against these beasts.  But I only managed to be the 7th best...

One of these Blood Clot Survivors placed 3rd Overall while the other two were 8th and 9th respectively... AMAZING!!!

That is truly an incredible accomplishment because they threw down some serious miles during the month of March.

I am doing my best to get an interview with each of these survivors as I believe their story and determination would be very fitting for this blog.  

They are an inspiration because of their ability to overcome.

All Blood Clot Survivors can overcome at their own pace and ability. Every story keeps me going.

Speaking of keeping me going... my Clot Buster #TeamStopTheClot polka-dots are training hard these days trying to get ready for a little racing this summer

Are you racing this summer?

What events are you considering? 

I am going to be doing 2 - 70.3 Half Iron-Distance Triathlons as my primary races for the year.  

At the moment it looks like these races are a go so I am starting to prepare. Stay tuned for more information down the road.

I really hope that you get a chance to get you Clot Buster #TeamStopTheClot polka-dots in some races this year.  I fully expect to see some pictures of polka-dots in action!

That is all for now.

Stay safe and be well!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

April Athlete of the Month

 March was great fun participating in the @TeamStopTheClot 100,000 reason ride during #BloodClotAwarenessMonth event.

It was a blast getting to participate in this event.  BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS REALLY CAN DO ANYTHING... I had the chance to compete against individuals who were really throwing some miles on their machines. It was impressive to see the totals get reported everyday.  I was inspired to workout everyday to see what I could against others.  

Not only did we get to have some friendly competition but also got to make incredible connections.

According to the numbers from the event we got to reach out to about 225,000 people over the course of the month. HOW AMAZING is that...?!?!

Getting the message of awareness out to so many people is truly remarkable.  This is going to make an impact in potentially saving some lives but also helping people recover from their own blood clotting incident.  Getting to support others in their journey to recovery is critical and a component of our mission that is very important to emphasize as much as possible.  

YOU ARE NOT ALONE in overcoming your blood clotting incident!

It was very cool to see so many people from around the world participating in this event.  

One of the coolest features of this event was to get to compete against a former Olympic Athlete.  

That does not happen to me very often but I sure enjoyed the distinct pleasure to get some CLOT BUSTER @TeamStopTheClot polka-dots to a former Olympic Champion in KATIE.

How cool is that? 

Unfortunately blood clots can happen to ANYONE even to decorated athletes.  But it is not the end... in fact in can be the beginning of a journey that can make a difference in so many levels.

From the STOPTHECLOT.org website here is a brief write-up of Katie's experience and her journey to overcome.

"Katie is a three-time Olympic medalist and Former World Champion Swimmer who has held several American and world records throughout her career. She was forced to retire from the sport in 2015 due to the development of blood clots in her lung, known as pulmonary embolisms, or PEs.

Katie is best known for her individual medley (IM). She held the American record for the 200-meter IM and the world record for the 400-meter IM.

In July 2014, Katie experienced a sharp pain in her chest and sides, which forced her to withdraw from the National Championship. She initially had been diagnosed with a muscle strain and asthma when a CAT scan revealed two blood clots in her lung. Due to the buildup of scar tissue in her lung caused by the blood clots, Katie officially announced her retirement from swimming in 2015.

Now, Katie is focusing on her health and is encouraging others to do the same. Katie knows just how serious PE blood clots can be, driving her to share her story and raise awareness about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options available."

Katie got to ride with us during the month of march event and even made the Clot Buster @TeamStopTheClot polka-dots a feature in a post or two.  Totally feeling big time now!

We continue on with our efforts to spread awareness and educate about blood clots and blood clotting disorders. Learn and be aware!

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

March Athlete of the Month

WELCOME TO MARCH

BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH

It is not too late to sign up and participate with us in our "100,000 Reasons to Ride" event to help STOPTHECLOT.org continue its valuable missing of creating awareness about blood clots and blood clotting disorders while celebrating all blood clot survivors.

My Team #STOPTHECLOT Clot Buster polka-dots are ready... are yours...?!?! SIGN UP NOW by following the link below...

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/38192/team-stop-the-clot-presents-the-100000-reasons-ride

The month March is always full of inspiration for me because there is a great deal of focus on spreading awareness and making connections with people who may benefit from learning a bit more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

In my opinion one of the best ways to make a connection is by sharing your personal experience.  In our case sharing your experience of overcoming blood clots can be a very powerful tool that others can use to craft their very own story of overcoming and surviving their own blood clotting incident.  

For the March edition of Athelete of the Month we have a high octane blood clot survivor who likes to go fast on two wheels... very fast and with his kind of sport the risk of danger is enhanced when the going fast is done on dirt roads... KARL has been willing to share his story of survival with us and I can't for you to read below... Enjoy!

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

Motorcycle competitions. I do modern and vintage trials along with vintage motocross, after racing bicycles for thirty years.

How did you get started in that sport? 

I raced motocross in my teens. I was just a kid that loved motorcycles.

What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?

I was able to do motocross races this past fall after have my rotator cuff rebuilt and my bicep reattached. Longest time for a recovery I've ever had. Breaking my femur in three places was easy compared to this.

I'm planning on a full schedule of competition this summer and doing long bike rides for fitness and enjoyment.

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

I have Factor V Leiden, plus a phantom protein that can cause clots. My second clot happened on a bike ride Christmas morning. I noticed my leg was very swollen. No pain but knew what it was.

I'm on Eliquis now and probably will be for life because of the phantom protein.

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

I'd been through it before. I was back in a couple weeks riding. Leg was quite sore. 

What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?

Merino wool socks from Darn Tough.

How much are you getting out doing your sport? 

I pretty much do some physical activity everyday. Yoga, bike riding, trials practice, XC skiing.

What is your favorite food?  Either generally or after a workout.  

Tough call. Pizza and tuna tacos. Waffles or French Toast with poached eggs for breakfast.

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

I want to see the Southwest of the USA and Australia.

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? 

Just get to it. The sooner you do the better you'll feel. Sure there's day I have a nagging worry it could happen again. But I'm not going to let it hold me back from doing what I love.

When I returned to racing motocross my Dr. said "You do understand what could happen?" and I said "I understand." He then smiled because he knew I was racing again.

THANK YOU SO MUCH Karl for sharing your thoughts with us all.  Yes Sir... Keep on racing and doing what you love for as long as you can.  NEVER STOP GOING!  

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

February Athlete of the Month

Happy Snowy February!

It is very peaceful and calming to have all of the snow goodness around.

That is what I focus on when I am trying to ignore the cold.  Can't have the snow without the cold I understand that but I can't seem to be able to make peace with the cold.  Not now not ever.  These are the hardest months for me to get motiviated.  

Luckily for me inspiration is all around.  If blood clost survivors can do it then I need to get moving and do it.  If cancer survivors can do it then there are no excuses.  

Got the start the year in the month of January with a 30/30 challenge where you had to do something active for 30 minutes for 30 days in January.  It did not matter what sort of activity it just had to be 30 minutes.  From yoga to running, riding, cross-training, even downhill tubing... whatever you did it counted.  That for sure set up my mind set to get going fo the year.  This idea came through the PICKY AmBADASSadors Program which I am very lucy to be a part of this year.  If you are looking for a natural sourrce of nutrition checkout the picky products at www.pickybars.com you will be surprised at all of the goodness you will find.

We all know that blood clots can happen to ANYONE and they can present in many different forms.

February's Athlete of the month DAN sure has an unique story that is worth sharing as we all need to be aware that blood clots can happen anywhere at any time.  It does not matter how in-shape you think you are when all conditions are right the clots will come and all us as patients must be ready to identify the signs and symptoms so that proper treatment can be received.  Dan's story is going to be worth your time... READ ON!

https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/dan-capobianco/

Truly an interesting story.  Thank you Dan for your willingness to share you story.  It just never stops from amazing me the many different ways in which blood clots can present and where they can come about.  PLEASE BE AWARE!

My CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot season of racing in polka-dots is slowly coming into focus as some races are moving forward with plans for racing later on the year.  We will see how things playout this year.  I am more than ready to go but I have to admit that getting a year off sure allowed my body to recover and I think that I am fresher... we will see about that if and when I get to take on some racing challenges.

One challenge that is coming on just around the corner maybe one that you all may want to consider - check it out...

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/38192/team-stop-the-clot-presents-the-100000-reasons-ride

You know that I am getting ready for this... WILL YOU JOIN US? 

COME ON LET'S RIDE!

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

January Athlete of the Month

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

#StopTheClot

We made it...

Hope

Insipation

Overcoming

Tenacity

Determination

Survival

Connection

Understanding 

Peace

Here is wishing everyone who comes across this blog the VERY BEST on this new year. May all the GOOD HEALTH, GOOD FORTUNE, and HAPPINESS reach us all.

We are certainly beginning the year with an personal story of a blood survivor that will set the tone for this new year.  Blood Clot Survivors CAN DO ANYTHING and Aimee is a perfect example of the fighting spirit we look to celebrate on this blog.

Thank You so much to Aimee for her willingness to share your story and provide us with the opening light that will make 2021 a bright year for all of us.

I believe that we will overcome and I know that you do too.

Please read and on and get inspired...

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

I like to say my activity of choice is any social movement. Funtivities, I call them. I got into swimming, biking, running, and eventually triathlons because others in my life were doing them and I wanted to join them. I never liked team sports, but I've always enjoyed group training for individual goals. My parents and my older sister were runners when I was growing up. They trained for and ran races. As a kid, I aspired to catch up to them. It happened when I was 16. We did a Jingle Bell run together and it was the first 5k where I could keep up: an achievement that came with a feeling of belonging and inclusion. And, still, whenever I do a group workout or a race with family or friends, I have that same feeling of personal achievement and belonging and inclusion.  

How did you get started in that sport? 

I swam on a swim team when I was growing up because I loved the flow in water and the rhythmic breathing seemed to help me. I struggled to run growing up because I couldn't control my breathing. Swimming seemed to program my lungs and desensitized me to the panic of being out of breath. Whenever I was swimfit, I could run. In college, I lifeguarded at a lap pool in a fitness center. So many runners and cyclists were coming to the pool regularly to pick up swimming for triathlons. I'd give them tips to make their stroke more efficient and give them sets to build their endurance. I'd swim with them to show them examples of drills and flip turns, and began training with some of them or picking up running/biking tips from them. I started doing swim-run workouts with some regulars at our pool and was introduced to the weekly swim-run aquathon race series that was held in town. It was a $5 entry fee and no advance sign-up needed. It was beginner-friendly. I started doing those aquathons in the summers. Each week, getting better and better. I loved the swim-run events, but I wanted to do a triathlon. I was intimidated by the bike: flats, traffic, gears, money, etc. But, a patron lent me her hybrid and I started riding on a bike path with no traffic. Someone taught me how to change a flat there right beside the pool. Incrementally, I became a triathlete, built by our swimming community at the pool I worked at. My first triathlons were the Tucson Triathlon series. They put on 3 a year on the University of Arizona campus, where I attended. It was beginner-friendly and that allowed me to enter the sport.  

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

The latest milestone I achieved was completing my doctorate. This isn't fitness, but it was the longest and most painful endurance activity I ever did and all the lessons I learned from training -- setting goals, incrementally preparing, diversifying activities with hard days and recovery days, pushing through the hurt, finding a "training" group for social accountability and encouragement -- is how I was able to complete it. Fitness wise, I switched gears to prioritize my academic needs – using crossfit to maximize outputs with my limited time.

 

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

I had an extensive blood clot from my abdomen to my left knee and bilateral pulmonary emboli. We believe the catalyst for this extensive clot was a 110-mile bike race I completed 3 weeks prior to being hospitalized. I was experiencing symptoms through those three weeks, but didn’t know blood clots were a risk for me. I have a genetic clotting disorder (prothrombin gene mutation) that I was not aware of, a condition called May-Thurner Syndrome, which causes a vein in the abdomen to compress/close, that I was also not aware of, and I was taking a hormone birth control medication. All those risk factors combined (multiplied) to cause the extensive clotting over the three weeks.

 

I was hospitalized for 6 days and I couldn't walk for a couple days. My leg had doubled in size and turned purple. I had surgery to remove the clots and was prescribed warfarin. My medical team recommended at least a year of warfarin, with a 6-month check in.

 

Losing my ability to walk terrified me and gave me a greater hunger for movement, but I was hesitant to get back on the bike. About a week after being released from the hospital, I started "slogging" (slow jogging). I still had pulmonary emboli in both lobes of my lungs and I had a vena cava filter straining the blood going into my heart. My thought was that it would be safest if I got all remaining clots in veins caught in the filter before it would be removed the following month. I'd slog for barely 2 mins and walk for 2 mins. It felt like running at 7,000 feet and breathing through a big straw, but every run was easier than the next. A little less than a month from when I was admitted to the hospital, I jogged, slowly and carefully, a 5k with my family for New Year’s Day. It was a celebration of being alive and able. My mantra that year became: "I am alive. I am able." And, I kept going.

 

I was scared to get back on the bike while on warfarin. When I first started warfarin, I had a difficult time keeping my INR from getting too high and would be at risk of not clotting if I crashed. I was a bit devastated to lose riding since it was my weakest discipline and I had just gotten into riding with a cycling team, the Keller Williams Cycling Team of Southern Arizona. Once I mastered warfarin and stabilized my INR, I started riding again very carefully. The leader of this team also led a team for RAGBRAI (Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) every year. Throughout the year, he organized various RAGBRAI training and "taster" events (taster meaning to give us a taste of RAGBRAI so we'd commit to join the RAGBRAI team). One such taster event was an overnight back-to-back ride from Tucson to Tombstone, Arizona, and back. It was 70 miles through the desert with about 3,000 feet of climbing, an overnight stay in Tombstone as a team, and returning over the 70-mile ride back the next day. Read: A grand Funtivity!! I was still on Warfarin. It was just before my 6-month check in with my medical team to check on my progress. The desert heat, climbing, and Warfarin made for a TOUGH ride, but I did it. The most concerning part for me was the lack of a shoulder and being passed by RVs. I was worried about having an accident on warfarin. At my 6-month check in, I told my medical team about this ride and we discussed the risk of clotting without warfarin and the risk of severe bleeding/injury on warfarin. My team and I agreed that my risk was lower without warfarin, as long as I stayed active and controlled the other clotting risk factors. 

 

What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?

I have a Viva Bike Vegas jersey that is one of my favorites because it marks a feat of recovery for me. It was a 118-mile bike ride that I did within a year of my DVT/PEs. It was another hot desert ride with lots of climbing. I got my DVT/PEs right after my first 100-mile bike ride (El Tour de Tucson). I remember hanging up that El Tour medal, thinking 'I'm glad I did this because it may be my last century ride." My cycling team started talking about traveling to Vegas to do Viva Bike Vegas. I was committed to not letting my fears be the reason I was limited. I completed the 118-mile ride, riding much slower than I had in the past (about 10 hours, taking more breaks than I had in my first century race before the clot. Finishing Viva Bike Vegas less than a year from having this extensive clot sealed my recovery. I was recovered.

How much are you getting out doing your sport?  

I have been sidelined due to COVID-19 and the rainy season. I live in Oregon now and usually do crossfit through the rainy, dark winter season. I’m a fair-weather athlete and I have an IT band injury that has significantly reduced my running distances. My goal for December is 31 miles for the 31 days. This is my new pace in life and I’m ok with it. With COVID-19 and my clotting disorder, I’m not risk indoor crossfit classes and I’m not provoking injuries that can cause clotting.

  

What is your favorite food?  

Denver omelet, with bacon instead of ham, and avocado, post-workout… and pretty much any time. Next to that, Trader Joe’s peanut butter cups.

 

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

I've been wanting to do a cycling tour in Ireland or biking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I've also thought of a destination ironman in Australia. 

 

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.

It’s important to note that my recovery situation was different than most. I had a surgery to remove the bulk of the clots from my veins. Most people don’t have this and if they’re getting active, it’s with a clot and the concern that the clot will travel.

 

To those who has a situation similar to mine: It's scary to put pressure on your cardiovascular system, but physical activity is a protective factor. As long as your medical doctor agrees, go slow and easy and start small, but do go…move…be able within your body’s limits. Learn to listen to your body. I had to train myself to listen to my pains rather than ignore them or push through them. Pushing through my pain, ignoring it, embracing the pain as progress – all that contributed to the severity of my condition. The pain is there for a reason and it's our early warning system for injury, and injury is precursor for clotting. The clotting cascade doesn’t start unless there’s an injury or invader that triggers it. Ultimately, it's important to remember what the point of fitness is: health and life. The stats, wins, and status aren't what keeps you alive and thriving and able to enjoy family, friends, and the health you've invested in. 

So glad that Aimee was willing to share our story with us.  Truly remarkable that she has been able to overcome the challenges that blood clots caused and continue in her journey while being healty.  Truly wonderful that you were able to achieve the monummental goal of your doctorate.  So impressive for sure.  No question that we will be hearing about your destination cycling adventures or perhaps your victory in conquering the Ironman in Austrlia.  

I sure want to get on my bike right now and get some miles in to keep up... 

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

December Athlete of the Month

Time to Celebrate!

2020 is coming to and end.

May this Holiday Season be filled with all the joy and serenity you need to get ready to keep on keeping on!

Hard to imagine what we all have been through this year and what we have left to go.  

The turn of the new year is not going to solve all of our on-going problems but there seems to be a glimmer of hope in the horizon that we slowly will return to some sort of normalcy.  What will this new normal look like? I don't have any clue but I can tell you this... We will for sure continue to spread awareness about blood clots and blood clotting disorders along with continuing to CELEBRATE ALL BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS.

That is about the only normal that I can hold on to for the moment.  My CLOT BLUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots may not be actively racing but for sure they are actively out doing what they can to make new connections and bringing folks into this community to perhaps find some support while they are navigating the challenges of their very own blood clotting incident.

The goal of this space is to celebrate all levels of ability because we all walk together through our experiences of overcoming the unknowns of survival.

December's Athlete of the month sure has an interesting to share and I am so very thankful to Michele for her willingness to share this wonderful write-up that I am certain you will find engaging as well.  Please read on and be inspired to overcome!

I have always loved hiking and taking long scenic power walks or jogs. Luckily, I live in Sonoma County, California where, between the redwoods, the coast and the vineyards, there is no shortage of natural beauty to enjoy. I find that it clears the mind, and is the best remedy for the typical anxiety or depression that most people experience from time to time. It’s also an activity I have always been able to enjoy with my young son, Hunter. Unfortunately, due to an injury obtained 6 years ago from parkour gone wrong (a story for a different time), I started to slowly develop arthritis in my left ankle. When I couldn’t even walk without pain at only 30 years old, I realized that I needed to take some drastic measures. It seemed so silly that a random accident like that could have such a negative impact on my quality of life. So, in January of 2020, I had had an elective ankle surgery to fuse the ankle that was, at that point, riddled with arthritis.

At the time of my surgery, I was on hormonal birth control pills. I also had a family history of blood clots, although I did not know it at the time. Due to my age and the fact that I was relatively healthy, no anticoagulation therapy was ever discussed with me. The surgery went well, and I was placed in a splint for two weeks to allow for swelling. During those two weeks, I had little to no mobility, as the pain was very intense and I was told to ice and elevate. Shortly after I had the plaster cast placed on my leg, I noticed a change in how my calf felt. I experienced new onset throbbing and swelling, as well some discoloration of my toes. I called the advice nurse who told me to come in to have the cast removed and reapplied. When I went in, my podiatrist informed me that the swelling and pain was common, and that it would dissipate soon enough.

A couple days later, I woke up to a dull ache behind my right shoulder blade. I assumed I had slept in an awkward position (if you’ve ever had a leg cast- you know what I’m talking about), so I did some stretching and foam rolling throughout the day to try and relieve the pain. As the day went on, I started noticing that the pain got worse with inhalation. By about 9:30 PM, the pain was so excruciating that I couldn’t breathe without crying out in pain. Luckily, I was recovering from surgery at my parent’s house. My mom, who works in cardiology, told me that it sounded like symptoms of a blood clot. She told me we should go to the ED to get it checked out. I reluctantly agreed, and I’m glad that I did!

On my way to the hospital I called my paternal grandmother to ask her if she had ever had a blood clot, as I had briefly remembered hearing about it a few years prior. She confirmed that yes, she had, and that my aunt had as well. When I arrived at the emergency department I had the information I needed to share with the nurses and treating physician. I told them about the surgery, the swelling, the birth control, the family history and the shortness of breath that I had just started experiencing.

One EKG, chest x-ray and chest CT later, I was greeted by a physician that bluntly told me, “You’re not going to die, but you do have several blood clots in your right lung.” I had developed a blood clot in my leg called deep vein thrombosis, which had broken off and traveled to my lungs causing a pulmonary embolism. I was prescribed Eliquis and admitted to the hospital. I was confused, however, when the pain and shortness of breath continued to worsen after starting the prescribed medication. The doctor told me that it was likely from scar tissue caused by the lack of blood flow to some portions of my lungs, and that it would soon go away. I had no idea that it would get worse before it got better, or that it would take months until I got any kind of relief.

When I got home from the hospital, I didn’t know what to do. I felt so lost, alone and still in an excruciating amount of pain. I didn’t feel like the trauma I was going through was understood by my family. I didn’t know that post-clot PTSD existed yet, but I knew I couldn’t continue to live in constant fear. This led me to join a pulmonary embolism support group on Facebook. It was through this group that I finally got the relief I needed. I became informed on my condition, received great advice and met some amazing people that helped me get through the hardest time in my life. They explained things to me in ways that no clinician was able to do for me.

Even with all the virtual support I received, the road to recovery was a long one. I saw a hematologist who diagnosed me with two different genetic clotting mutations- Factor 5 Leiden Heterozygous and Factor 2 Heterozygous. He told me that I would need to stay on Eliquis for at least 6 months, possibly even longer. After an echocardiogram, my cardiologist informed me that, thankfully, there was no long-term damage done to my heart. My pulmonologist said that there was some scarring in my lung tissue, but that the clots had dissolved. Through all of this, my chest pain persisted and remained somewhat of a mystery. Post clot PTSD was, by far, the biggest struggle of all. Since I still wasn’t able to walk, I wasn’t getting the exercise that I previously relied on for emotional regularity. Over the next few months, I was seen in the ED two more times, had two more EKGs, chest x-rays and chest CTs. The words “chest pain” with a history of VTE are not taken lightly.

It wasn’t until I was slowly able to start walking again that I got the relief I needed. I started out slowly, walking up and down the hall once or twice with my walking boot. Unfortunately, I realized quickly that it wasn’t just my ankle that needed rehabilitation, but my lungs as well. Walking to the corner and back left me feeling like I had just run a marathon! It was, however, an amazing feeling to be walking again. I felt independent for the first time in 10 weeks. This feeling of freedom lit a fire underneath me. I was determined to get back to my long walks- possibly even hikes! I started walking 1-2 times a day on the creek path behind my house, sometimes only making it a few hundred feet before my shortness of breath got the best of me and I had to turn around. Within a few weeks, though, I was able to walk a mile. Now 10 months later, I’m walking 3-5 miles every few days, and I’m back on some of my favorite hiking trails. I recently completed a walk/jog 5k with the National Blood Clot Alliance’s Team Stop Clot while sporting my favorite New Balance Fresh Foam Sport shoes and Clot Buster’s Running Polka-dot shirt on the very creek path that my recovery started on. My shortness of breath is mostly gone, and I suspect that with more endurance training I can be back to “normal” by the new year.

I am still a part of the Pulmonary Embolism Support Group on Facebook, where I see so many new survivors with the same fears that I had only a few months ago. They want to know if they will ever recover. They want to know whether or not the constant anxiety and fear will ever go away. The truth is, recovery looks different for everyone. It seems to me, though, that determination and belief in yourself is key to making steps in the right direction. I was able to turn my anxiety into motivation and began my patient advocacy journey by raising awareness about blood clots. I have started working alongside the National Blood Clot Alliance helping with fundraising for their many programs and resources. I feel like I have found my community, and it’s one where everyone is welcome, appreciated and celebrated.

This experience has lead me down a previously unimaginable path of self-love (our bodies are capable of just about anything!), strengthened my relationships with my family and friends, and taught me never to take a single breath for granted. I have new goals of traveling (when safe, of course) to Europe, visiting family more often and, of course, sharing my story with anyone who will listen so that I can take this experience and use it for good. If I could save even one life by telling people about the risks, signs and symptoms of blood clots, it will all have been worth it.

A word of advice to my fellow PE warriors: Take that vacation, eat that pizza, do what makes you happy! Most importantly, though, give the support and be an example for others that are unsure about whether or not they will be able to make it to the next day. 

Yes indeed Michele let's eat that pizza after that killer hike! For sure you will have to be my guide for those favorite trails of yours.  We will have to tackle those trails in our CLOT BUSTER #StopTheClot polka-dots!

Celebrate this holiday season that some sort of normal is coming soon.

Thank you for reading.

The Clot Buster