Okay, this hasn’t been a good month. Actually, the whole year, minus the cyclo-X racing in January has pretty much sucked. This is now sucking big time.
I went and did the ultra sound on my leg yesterday afternoon and the results weren’t good. I have a DVT (blood clot) in my lower leg from the crash back at Joe Martin NRC. I haven’t exactly figured out what I’m going to do exactly, but all the options aren’t that appealing to me. I do know that I’m not going to be racing bicycles for the foreseeable future.
I got pretty lucky and got to talk to the doctor who reads the results of all the tests. He came in and gave me some very important information that I’m going to think about for the next week before I make any other decisions. I’m going to do another ultra sound on the leg next week to check out the progression, or more optimistically, the regression of the clot. He did tell me that this procedure would be in weeks, not in days. I’ve researched the issue a bit and it might be more accurate to say that it is going to be months, not weeks. Whatever the time frame, it is going to be much too long for my liking.
Anyway, I don’t get depressed very often, but this is pretty much a downer. There are many more things that can go wrong with our bodies, this is just a blip on the screen. But, I’ve broken and trashed myself pretty good over the years and have never have been told that the recovery period could be over 6 months. That is until nearly December.
I’m still in a little state of shock. I’m sure I’ll have a different mindset in a few days. Right now I’m going to just wait it out for the next week until I get the next test.
This is the sheet they gave me in to show where the clot is.
This is the machine that they use to find these things. I've never had a good experience with them personally.
Sorry to hear man..
Sorry for the bad news Steve. Mike Friedman who you probably know, also had DVT. You should talk to him about it if you are looking for a rider’s perspective.
Sounds like a good time to focus on developing/motivating/teaching some juniors. It’s OK just to cheer some times.
look up surfski
I’ve been on warfarin for 15+yrs, reach out if ya wanna chat.
S
Sorry to hear this news. I crashed and cracked some bones in my hip and they told me 3 months. I was very upset. Why am i telling you this? because they always giove you the worse case scenario. This happened at the Iowa City road race 20 days ago, and i am back on the trainer now preparing for nats in Sept. Don’t give up and keep a positive attitude no matter what. You’ll be back!
Tough to be diverted from a routine you love.
Sometimes a temporary path brings opportunities
you’d miss otherwise.
Fear not Steve – you’ll return!
Well that sucks.
Everything happens for a reason.
When life gives you lemons – make a whiskey sour! Or slice them to garnish a wheat beer!
After all, alcohol does act as a blood thinner. Lol.
Disclaimer – No medical advice should be taken from this comment.
Right now is not the time to take it in but, Mike has the right idea. Sometimes an altered path brings opportunities you’d miss otherwise.
sorry to hear, get healthy!
No doubt you’ll have the tests done to see if you are Leiden Factor 5 positive.
Having blood that easily clots was a good thing when our ancestors were getting mauled by wild animals or bleeding from stab wounds… not such a good thing when we’re sit around a bunch (not say you necessarily).
Steve, I have the same DVT situation…Im your age, low pulse, didnt drink enough. (have since changed my habits) stand all day at work on concrete. Felt like someone had hit me in the back of my left calf with a baseball bat. Had scan done and had to do Lovonax shots in my stomach and been on Warfarin for 3 months. Its not in my family history, hopefully a one time situation. I remember Chris Horner had the clot in his lung after his TDF crash and was on thinners about 6 months. This could be serious Steve dont let it become something worse. Drink at least 3 liters water a day and start the slow changes needed to be healthy. Sorry about this shit!!!
Kia kaha, Steve.
Stay strong,, and heal quick,, Keep the PMA flowing.
My aunt says the coumidin is bad stuff, just relax and enjoy some downtime.
Steve- that does stink. But you will be back.
I also just wanted to say thank you for all of your insight- you are awesome!
Sorry to hear about the set back, but maybe a good time to have the shoulder repaired. Both can heal at the same time.
Tilly! I’m really sorry to hear this! Yuk! Sometimes these things are very very dangerous so I hope you don’t fall into that category. This sucks needless to say. I had heart surgery in February as you know. I’m feeling much much better than pre-op so it was worth it. Keep up the optimism and I’ll be thinking of you brother! Aloha, Doug
Water. And then some more water. Massage the calf with National and World Championship jerseys for best healing.
You’ll return stronger, but it needs 3 months.
Write a book.
I agree. There is so much phenomenal material in this blog, that at least one book, possibly a whole series, could come out of it. Find a good editor, and publish some of this great stuff!
Follow the doctors advice to the letter. DVT is nothing to screw around with. Don’t make Laura send you another “fire and brimstone email). Massages (hopefully a joke only) are a really bad idea in these cases. There is nothing wrong with the coumidin (warfarin) – it’s a tried and true drug. Josh Johnson is sending you a FB Blot Clot group invite soon. Mike Weiss suffered a blood clot years ago. He was there for Mike too.
Hate this for you. Hang in there and have a quick, safe recovery.