Panthers' Tomas Fleischmann has persevered after his blood clot scare
SUNRISE, Fla. -- In many ways, Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh and Florida Panthers left winger Tomas Fleischmann couldn't be any more different.
One is a 6-foot-11 NBA superstar from Texas, and the other, a reticent NHL journeyman from the Czech Republic.
But, below the surface, the two South Florida athletes share a unique bond in the form of a blood disorder that recently sidelined Bosh for the rest of the season and nearly brought Fleischmann's career to an abrupt end only a few years ago.
It was on a long-distance flight to his native Czech Republic in 2009 when Fleischmann says the disease first surfaced after a loss of feeling in his legs prompted him to seek medical attention. He was later diagnosed with a genetic blood disorder, but received treatments that enabled him to continuing playing.
It wasn't until 2011 when Fleischmann, who was playing for the Colorado Avalanche at the time, says that shortness of breath during a routine morning skate led to a terrifying discovery -- the previously discovered blood clots had spread to each of his lungs.
"I didn't know what happened, I just knew I felt bad,'' said Fleischmann, who was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. ''I couldn't really breathe through my lungs. They were clogged and that's why I went to see doctors. They found out that I had blot clots in my lungs."
After a six-month recovery in which he was often told that he might never play hockey again, Fleischmann met with a specialist to establish a treatment plan that would allow him to return to the ice. Confident in his newfound medical regime, he signed a four-year deal with the Panthers on July 1, 2011.
Since his arrival to Florida, Fleischmann's blood condition has yet to affect his on-ice production. He missed only two games in his first three seasons, and led the team in scoring in the first two.
In recognition of his remarkable return to form, Fleischmann was honored as Florida's 2012 nominee for the Masterton Award, given annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.
Speaking from his own experience, Fleischmann was able to offer some insight after Thursday's morning skate from the BB&T Center as to what may lie ahead for Bosh in his road to recovery.
''It should take three months on blood thinners,'' Fleischmann said. ''No contact, nothing like that. After three months you should do testing again and see how it goes. Maybe continue another three months if there is still something there.''
To this day, Fleischmann still takes an anticoagulant injection after every game or practice and wears a rubberized suit that protects him from the dangers of pressurized cabins when the team flies during road trips.
''You have to thin your blood, so that's what I'm doing,'' said Fleischmann. ''You can't play any contact sports when you thin your blood, so I do it after practice or after games.''
At this point, Fleischmann says he hasn't spoken to Bosh, but has been consulted by other athletes in the past, including Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen, who has yet to play this season due to blood clots in both lungs and his right calf.
Bosh, who has been hospitalized since last week after clots were found on his lung, remains in the early stages of this long and arduous process, but is expected to make a full recovery.
It is in his journey back to the court, Bosh will soon come to learn what Fleischmann already came to grips with shortly after his own diagnosis -- life will never be the same. Going forward, injections and medications will soon become just as much a part of the 30-year-old veteran's daily routine as breakfast and dinner.
Yes, the transition will certainly be difficult, but if Fleischmann's story has taught us anything, it's that survivors of this unfortunate disease can someday feel normal again.
''I got used to it,'' Fleischmann said. ''It's been four years now and it doesn't bother anymore.''
You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at JamesonOlive@gmail.com.
