Sounders FC's O'Brian White recalls blood-clot scare
TUKWILA — O'Brian White feared the worst.
The Sounders FC forward knew blood clots were potentially dangerous, but it wasn't until he was diagnosed with one in his left leg that he read up on how serious they could be.
"I didn't know what was going to happen," said the 25-year-old Jamaican, who had surgery April 27.
Spotted early, the clot was removed successfully. Then White's worries shifted to soccer. Would he be able to play again this season? Even worse, might his career be over?
Apprehension eventually turned to relief, and six weeks after the procedure, White has returned to practice eager to get back on the field. He knows a full recovery will take time, but he's on the way.
"It feels good to be out and finally be around the team and working out with the trainers," White said Tuesday in his first interview since the surgery. "It was tough, but it's good to get over that hump now and just working to get out on the field."
White lost 14 pounds after surgery, but has since gained six back. No timetable has been set for his return, but coach Sigi Schmid expects it to be sometime this season.
"It shouldn't be season-ending," Schmid said. "It's definitely something that we've got to see about, whether there are any repercussions or fallback in terms of the blood and make sure there's not a new clot forming. But right now his feeling is fine."
Acquired in an offseason trade with Vancouver, White first sensed something wrong in early April when he experienced numbness in his left leg. The feeling came and went, so he didn't think much of it, especially during a productive start to the season (two goals and two assists in the first seven games).
Numbness turned to pain after an April 22 road match in Colorado — the same game in which midfielder Steve Zakuani broke his leg — and an ultrasound found the clot.
Doctors told White they believe rubbing the muscle caused the issue, but this instance was unique. Normally clots occur in a vein, but White's was in an artery.
"It was tough one," the 6-foot-1 White said. "They'd never seen anything like that before."
The clot isn't expected to return, but White said he'll undergo another X-ray before playing again to make sure everything is fine. Known for his wide smile, White credits support from teammates, coaches, team staff and fans in keeping him optimistic throughout the difficult process.
"Sometimes people might take a little 'get well soon' for granted," he said, "but when in that situation, it really means a lot. It definitely cheers you up a little. ... It showed that I really mean something to the fans, and I really appreciate it a lot.
Blood Clot In Legs - News
A 31-YEAR-OLD university worker suffered a fatal blood clot less than three weeks after breaking her leg falling off a horse. Keen horse rider Lisa Jones died at her Leek home on March 27 after developing the blood clot following her injury.
Sounder FC forward O'Brian White talks for the first time about his apprehension and relief after surgery to remove a blood clot in his left leg. By Joshua Mayers White's return is yet another reason to be optomistic about this team.
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Fleischmann status: murky at best | All Things Avalanche ...
Dater has covered the Colorado Avalanche before they were even called the Avalanche, starting with the team's move from Quebec to Denver in 1995. He has been at The Denver Post overall since Dec. 1991, when earlier in the year he decided to get a life, move out of his parents’ basement in New Hampshire and come out to Denver with a journalism degree from Keene State College .
Tomas Fleischmann is expected to be healthy enough to play in the NHL next season. Whether that happens with the Avalanche or not? It’s still unknown, but things don’t seem very promising.
It’s June 21, 10 days before the start of free agency, and the Avs and Fleischmann have yet to talk at all about a new contract. On July 1, Fleischmann can talk to any team, as an unrestricted free agent.
Fleischmann scored 21 points in 22 games with the Avs after coming over from Washington for Scott Hannnan, but then was sidelined for the rest of the season with pulmonary embolism (blood clots in his leg). Fleischmann has yet to be medically cleared by the Avalanche medical staff.
Question is – is that because the Avs have no interest in signing him, and hence no interest in examining him? The Avalanche has no comment on that issue. Fleischmann’s agent, Richard Evans, seemed to have no idea what the Avs’ intentions are regarding his client. Evans does not want to be quoted for the record on the status of things, which is an unfortunate side effect of the Avs’ extreme paranoia about people talking about anything contract-related.
Fleischmann is expected to be healthy, and ready to play in 2011-12. It is expected he’ll need to take blood-thinning medication if he plays, but that shouldn’t be seen as a big deal to prospective employers. Then again, maybe it is, because this season’s ailment wasn’t the first time it’s happened to him. He also missed time with the Capitals in his time there with pulmonary embolism. But the Fleischmann camp believes he’ll be fine after new medical treatment.
It’s possible the Avs will still reach out to him. They are very pre-occupied with the Draft right now, but starting Monday they probably will turn more attention to free agency and other unsigned players. For now, though, Fleischmann’s future as an Av seems tenuous at best.
I agree with you, Nick…oddly enough, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with the same condition TF was, at about the same time – my friend’s leg still swells up, he has not been cleared to run or jump, and cannot even shave with a regular razor (has to be electric due to the blood thinners) – I like Leino, or even Upshall, unless they draft Landeskog.
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