Brenda's Blog

Haven’t been blogging here much lately due to lots of micro-blogging on my LinkedIn and both Twitter accounts, but here’s a recent newspaper article about the support group organization I founded in 2008 (the DVT Support Group of the Lower Mainland).  Hoping to raise more awareness!

http://brendablackburn.com/media/Burnaby-woman-forms-Deep-Vein-Thrombosis-support-group.pdf

As some of my readers know, I’m the founder of the DVT Support Group of the Lower Mainland and a survivor. For more information see: http://brendablackburn.com/her-cause.php

This month, I’m pleased to announce that Dr. John Swiston from UBC and VGH, will be giving a presentation and answering questions regarding Pulmonary Embolism and Pulmonary Hypertension.

If you know anyone who had or is at risk for venous blood clots (DVT and/or PE), please let them know of this important session.

Here are the details:
DVT Support Group of the Lower Mainland. For survivors of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (blood clots). Info: www.dvt.meetup.com/18. Tues., May 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Special guest speaker: Dr. John Swiston, re: Pulmonary Hypertension. Meeting room of the Burnaby Public Library–McGill Branch, 4595 Albert S. Free. To register, call Brenda at 309-0610 or email: brenda@brendablackburn.com.

Thank you so much and be well….
Brenda

As an Advocacy Member with the North American Thrombosis Forum, I wrote a patient article, “Taking Responsibility”, for their eThrombosis newsletter, which can be viewed here: http://natfonline.org/eThrombosis/?p=1010

For IMPORTANT information on Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and it’s potentially fatal complication, Pulmonary Embolism (PE), please see: http://www.brendablackburn.com/her-cause.php

Please help me to spread awareness.
Thank you so much!

As many of you know, my cause is DVT. (See http://brendablackburn.com/her-cause.php for more information.)

March is DVT Awareness Month

“…March is Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month. DVT is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins, usually in the leg. If a DVT breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE). Each year, up to 2 million Americans are affected by DVT, and of those, approximately 300,000 will die. That is, more people die annually from DVT/PE than from breast cancer and AIDs combined.

DVT can be prevented. To learn more about deep vein thrombosis – including the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and prevention methods – and to get answers to your questions, visit www.clotcare.org.”

(The above is quoted from the website http://www.clotcare.org/clotcare/deepveinthrombosisemail.aspx)

Please help me to spread awareness by sharing this message. Thank you so much.

Hi everyone,

I have to include this on my blog as I feel it’s so important and could help to save somebody’s life.

Most of you don’t know yet, but Friday (June 20/08) I was diagnosed at the hospital with the condition, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). This is serious condition that kills more people in Canada (and U.S.) than Breast Cancer and Aids combined. I had NO idea.. and figure you may not know about it either.

Here’s how it happened for me: 2 wks. ago I woke up with with a pain in the back of my right leg (calf)… it felt like a cramp or the tailend of a charley horse… tender… achey… a little difficult to walk on at times. I wrote it off to being a pulled muscle… and therefore left if for so long. For other possible symptoms see: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/deep-vein-thrombosis/DS01005/DSECTION=symptoms .

I was supposed to leave tomorrow (Mon.) a.m. with Rob to Toronto to visit family, so thought I’d check with the Dr. on Friday afternoon just to make sure that I wouldn’t make my leg worse. He told me that not only was I not going to go to Toronto, but that I probably had DVT and to get to the hospital asap. (DVT is a blood clot in the deep veins–usually leg–and if it breaks loose can cause PE–pulmonary embolism).

After going to the hospital emergency, and prelim diagnose and bloodwork, they rushed to give me an injection into my belly (yeah…fun) of blood thinners. Then I had to go back in on Sat. a.m. for the Doppler ultrasound which proved positive for a blood clot from my knee all the way to my ankle of my right leg. Then another blood test, another injection, and a prescription of which the hospital now calls me everyday to give me the dosage based on that morning’s bloodwork.. because it must be that precise. Again today, and this will continue for awhile. To prevent hospitalization, I am on outpatient status and must be at the hospital daily for the timing being. Tomorrow (because it’s Monday) I get to meet the DVT program counsellor and officially begin my long-term monitoring program. After I am “out of the woods” and stabilized (meaning it looks like the clot won’t break away, move, and go up my body), then I just stay on drugs for several months… this is not a quick-fix… and will be on long-term condition, perhaps affecting me for some time. (Now I can appreciate how my Dad felt when he had blood clots!)

They figure that the primary cause for me was being 41 and on oral contraceptives, and have made me quit immed. But there are MANY risks factors (from age, to injuries, to air travel, to smoking… you name it). ANYONE CAN GET DVT–from young to old, healthy to invalid, pregnant, etc.. (Singer from the pop group Hansen has it and he’s young (and a man—so not a birth control problem for him)! Here are some of the causes: http://www.dvtawarenesscampaign.com/page_1167839485347.html.

It is slowly gaining awareness in the U.S., but not many people know about it here in Canada. I can only hope that more people become aware of this silent killer (sometimes it doesn’t even have symptoms.) I am fine and feeling good, but I was sure shocked by this and didn’t have a clue about any of it before!

Here’s a short video about it:

http://syndication.newsnorthamerica.com/video/ncd2064.asx

Thanks for listening… please pass it on so we can spread education and save people!!!!

Have a great day,
Brenda

As many of you know, my cause is DVT: http://brendablackburn.com/her-cause.php

If you know of anyone with VTE: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolism (PE)–also known as venous blood clots– or anyone who would like more information, in addition to our Meetup page, now our Support Group can be followed on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DVTSupportGroup.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

My DVT Group Support Group (of the Lower Mainland) is a member of PeerNetBC. See posting of upcoming (Aug. & Sept.) meetups on their Community Announcements page! http://www.peernetbc.com/community_announcements.html

Also, there is still room for our July 22nd meetup! See: http://www.meetup.com/DVT-Support-Group-of-the-Lower-Mainland/

We now have enough local members first our first official DVT Support Group of the Lower Mainland! July 22/09, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

For more information, location details, and to RSVP, see: http://www.meetup.com/DVT-Support-Group-of-the-Lower-Mainland/

Also on the site you’ll find:
* DVT Facts: http://www.meetup.com/DVT-Support-Group-of-the-Lower-Mainland/pages/DVT_Facts/
* and detailed resources: http://www.meetup.com/DVT-Support-Group-of-the-Lower-Mainland/pages/RESOURCES_TO_RECOMMEND/

This peer support group is for those who:
* are Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) survivors, including Pulmonary Embolism (PE) in some cases
* have or had DVT/PE and are looking for support, understanding, and resources
* have a blood disorder, (such as Factor V Leiden), that may increase the risk of developing a DVT
* are currently taking anti-coagulants
* have family members or friends with DVT/PE
* want to learn more about DVT and PE
* would like to raise public awareness and education regarding the risk factors and symptoms of DVT and PE to help others minimize their risks and be able to identify a DVT before it becomes life threatening

I was sent this story and was completely shocked and sickened. A woman was left for 24 hours in a NYC hospital with DVT symptoms. She died of Pulmonary Embolism, and spent an hour suffering on the floor in the waiting room, as patients, Doctors, and security personnel witnessed it and turned the other way. Finally after she passed away, a nurse came and kicked her to see if she was dead, before taking her pulse. Absolutely shocking. Apparently 6 people were fired.

For the full story see: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25645621/