Red Sox Manager Terry Francona Survives Deep Vein Thrombosis to Win the World Series
Baseball manager wins World Series despite potentially fatal condition.
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April 1, 2010
Terry Francona, who is credited with breaking "the curse of the Bambino," almost didn't live to see the Red Sox make it to the World Series in 2004.
The manager, who's beloved by Bostonians and reviled by New Yorkers, was recovering from knee surgery in 2002 when he embarked on a cross-country flight. However, soon after take-off he began to experience a shortness of breath and numbness. Upon landing, he headed to the hospital where he was eventually diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal condition that affects the circulatory system.
Francona is aware of how lucky he is to have survived the flight." I've had my share of health issues and I know that I'm fortunate to be here," he says. "I was a little bit dumb and a little bit more than stubborn to have gotten on that plane and waited to go to the hospital, but fortunately I was young enough and strong enough to fight that initial embolism."
The manager is currently working to raise awareness of the condition by appearing on the inspirational television show Sharing Miracles.
According to the Mayo Clinic, DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in the body, usually in the leg. DVT may be a side-effect of a medication, or the result of flong-periods of inactivity.
Patients who develop symptoms such as swelling in their extremities or neck or a lasting pain that feels like a cramp should consult a medical expert immediately, the source reports.
The Center for Disease control estimates between 350,000 to 600,000 Americans are diagnosed with DVT every year. Those who are suffering from the condition can take advantage of the resources made available by the National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia.
Terry Francona, who is credited with breaking "the curse of the Bambino," almost didn't live to see the Red Sox make it to the World Series in 2004.
The manager, who's beloved by Bostonians and reviled by New Yorkers, was recovering from knee surgery in 2002 when he embarked on a cross-country flight. However, soon after take-off he began to experience a shortness of breath and numbness. Upon landing, he headed to the hospital where he was eventually diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal condition that affects the circulatory system.
Francona is aware of how lucky he is to have survived the flight." I've had my share of health issues and I know that I'm fortunate to be here," he says. "I was a little bit dumb and a little bit more than stubborn to have gotten on that plane and waited to go to the hospital, but fortunately I was young enough and strong enough to fight that initial embolism."
The manager is currently working to raise awareness of the condition by appearing on the inspirational television show Sharing Miracles.
According to the Mayo Clinic, DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in the body, usually in the leg. DVT may be a side-effect of a medication, or the result of flong-periods of inactivity.
Patients who develop symptoms such as swelling in their extremities or neck or a lasting pain that feels like a cramp should consult a medical expert immediately, the source reports.
The Center for Disease control estimates between 350,000 to 600,000 Americans are diagnosed with DVT every year. Those who are suffering from the condition can take advantage of the resources made available by the National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia.
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