With the help of some well-known celebrity names, blood clots seem to have been in the news a lot lately. Most notably, NASCAR racing champion Brian Vickers announced his return to racing after suffering from blood clots that set him back for a season; and Real Housewives of Atlanta reality TV star NeNe Leakes opened up about her recent pulmonary embolism. I am so grateful to Brian and Ms. Leakes for speaking out about what happened to them and for raising awareness to countless people who may have never heard of a DVT or PE before now. Read more about their stories and the other lives that were either affected or sadly, lost as a result of this silent killer.
Here are this editions headlines:
Washington Township mother speaks out after daughter dies from pregnancy-related clotting disorder
A simple blood test. That’s all it would’ve taken to save Danielle Ciccozzi’s life. The 35-year-old mom of three died on Nov. 12, after suffering from a stroke, blood clots, two heart attacks and open heart surgery, all stemming from a clotting disorder triggered by pregnancy in March. [Read More]
US speedskater Bradford overcomes health scare
Rebekah Bradford was a highly trained athlete. She couldn’t figure out why she was out of breath just walking up a flight of stairs. Turns out, she was suffering from a potentially life-threatening condition. Bradford was stricken with a pulmonary embolism last year, making her bid to reach the Olympics for a second time especially challenging. She is competing at the U.S. speedskating trials, which begin Friday in suburban Salt Lake City. [Read More]
Vicki Huber Rudawsky: Even fittest need to be alert for clots
Often, a person will ignore signs or symptoms of a health issue until it is too late. Athletes tend to be the biggest offenders of this, mostly because we are used to aches and pains. Before we head off to the doctor, we try to self-diagnose, mostly because we don’t want to be told to take time off. One health danger that is not often talked about in athletes is deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. A DVT occurs when a blood cot forms in the veins of the extremities, usually the lower leg or thigh. [Read More]
Newlywed bride discovered she was pregnant two months after fit and healthy husband, 25, died from blood clot
A grieving bride discovered she was pregnant two months after her new husband’s sudden death. Rhiannon Llewellyn was left devastated when sports coach Dale Llewellyn, 25, died from a blood clot last January just six months after they married.The 25-year-old had no idea she was pregnant on the day that she buried her childhood sweetheart at the same church that their wedding took place. [Read More]
Brian Vickers returns from blood clots, ready to race full schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing
Brian Vickers says he’s off blood thinners and plans to run the entire Sprint Cup schedule this season, beginning with next month’s Daytona 500. The 30-year-old Vickers missed the final five races last season after doctors discovered a blood clot last October. He also missed the final 25 races of 2010 because of blood clots and heart surgery. [Read More]
Share your story. Have you noticed blood clots in the news lately? Have you heard of any more stories not listed above?
There is hope for healing and you are not alone,
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I had a bloodclot removed in december, 2009. I was having severe pain in my leg, that i couldnt take. My foot was swelling, it was cold and the bottom of my feet was white. The ER. Doctor could not find a pulse in my leg, and she immediately called a vascular DR. And he told me that if i wanted to save my leg, then i would have to go to surgery now. They said i had a dead leg and surgery had to be done then. My leg is not the same, i have nerve damage, due to the trauma of surgery. My tendons tightened up on me, so my foot does not bend normally. I am in constant pain from nerves and very sensitive feet. This month, i had to have a vein bypass, because my leg had clotted again, so now im trying to heal an hopefully, i can get more motion in my feet. I want to tellmy story to others. Please send me info on any groups that get together in atlanta,ga……
Hi Alfred. Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing your story with me and BCRN! I am really glad you found us. I am sorry to hear about all of you have been through – that all sounds very frightening, and I know you are not alone. I hope you are continuing to recover and have not had any more surgeries. I asked around in my circles and so far, have not found any in-person groups in Atlanta. If you are able to get involved in some of these online support groups, though, some of these people may be in Atlanta and maybe you could get together in person – https://www.facebook.com/notes/blood-clot-recovery-network/blood-clot-facebook-support-groups/659814504045991
I wish you the best and keep in touch. Thank you again for stopping by! Thinking of you during this holiday season.