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8 years ago (aged 42) I suffered massive bi-lateral pulminary emboli. As yet the cause of the clots is unresolved. I am a lifetime warfarin user and subject to regular INR blood tests. I have trained with weights since serving in the Royal Navy but never with any real goal other than to gain as much muscle as possible. You will understand then how much suffering this illness affected my life. I was told that I wouldn't train again and that I should be very careful to protect myself from cuts, knocks and danger. In short the experts wanted me to wrap myself in cotton wool.

I couldn't accept that situation and began to make plans for my recovery. I developed a nutritional and training plan that I presented to my GP / INR clinic and (starting slowly) began my long journey. Things were going well, I was fitter, stronger than ever and I was able to control my INR within the desired range until one evening three years ago when I fell asleep in my sofa. I awoke at around 2am with severe cramp in my left thigh. I got up, stretched a little and went on up to bed. By 6am my leg had swelled enormously and I was in agony so off to A&E I went. It was originally diagnosed that I had clotted in my thigh and so no attempt was made to reverse my anti coagulants. 12 hours later I lost the pulse in my foot and was rushed to surgery with a massive bleed (compartment syndrome). A further 5 surgeries and plastic surgery the wound was finally closed 10 days later.

I have been left with a 20" scar from knee to hip and a deformity just above the knee where they were unable to close the muscle fascia.

Again I was told that my training days were over, however, me being me I immediatly resolved to overcome my difficulties and set myself a goal of competing at a bodybuilding show.

Two years on I realised my goal and competed for the first time. 

I am now looking to step on stage again this year. My aim is do compete in at least three shows - The Southwest qualifier, The Midlands Qualifier and The South East Qualifier. I am hoping to improve on last years sixth place and place in the top three. I will be competing in the Over 50's class this season.

Once again dieting whilst keeping control of my INR will be the difficult part, however, this year I am starting from a far better position than last year.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/body-transformation-paul-thorpe-defeated-sickness-with-fitness.html