David Bloom's Last Ride (Confirmed: Bloom WAS Sick for Three Days, Docs HAD DIAGNOSED DVT)

BusinessWeek ^ | April 7, 2003 | Frederik Balfour

[Timesink]

I never knew David Bloom when he was alive. He was brought to our medical tent at the 703rd Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) shortly before 8 a.m. on Apr. 6. Medics were still performing CPR on him when he arrived, but it was already too late. At 8:08 a.m. he was pronounced dead. As I was about to head to the medic station I overheard a soldier phoning in a report, in what I suppose was meant to be military efficiency. But it struck me as chillingly terse. "Report: initial. Enemy involvement: none. Name: Bloom, David. Military unit: civilian. Status: deceased."

[Timesink]

DON'T BE LIKE DAVID BLOOM. DVT kills, period. Instantly. Dead. If any doctor ever tells you there's even a 1% chance you've got it, drop what you're doing and do whatever he/she says to do. You shrug it off, you die.

[patriciaruth]

So sad for his family.

[beaversmom]

Ahhh--what a shame. I know he wasn't a teenager but I guess he was still young enough not to take it as seriously as he should have.

[Russell Scott]

MSNBC did a nice tribute to David Bloom. They mentioned his dedication and determination to "get the story". His drive and ambition worked against him in this case.

He had a great voice for reporting. I will have to wait for his resurrection to meet him. Seemed like a really good guy. I hope his wife and kids have strong faith in the Lord. It makes getting through such a horrible tragedy much easier.

[patriciaruth]

A sad ping.

[beaversmom]

Wish I could have caught the tribute--hope they replay it.

[Amore]

Thanks for posting this, and thanks for the advice.

[punster]

DVT leads to pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism kills many people. It is probably the leading cause of death in hospitals and nursing homes. My mother died from a pulmonary embolism, while she was in intensive care.

[punster]

DVT leads to pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism kills many people. It is probably the leading cause of death in hospitals and nursing homes. My mother died from a pulmonary embolism, while she was in intensive care.

[laz17]

Will any liberal be crass enough politicize this tragedy and suggest that Bloom's death is Bush's fault?

[laz17]

enough politicize=enough to politicize

[floriduh voter]

A Pennsylvania Hospital also stated that dehydration could have played a part. He was usually covered with that powdery brown dust. That would have further dehydrated him in addition to the heavy clothing.

The article I read mentioned that Michael Kelly was also embedded with Bloom's unit. 3rd something.

People ignore doctor's advice every day but as you could tell, he was caught up in the moment and felt young and alive.

Apparently, he bent over to pack his gear this a.m. and collapsed. Clots move around and aspirin won't dissolve a large one. Everyone over there is in my prayers.

[america-rules]

He reported two or three days ago that it was the worst day of the war. He sat in the same place for 18 hours and couldn't stand up etc.. He said they drove for 18 hours and the ride was too rough to sleep.

I bet he got this clot on this ride and you know the rest !

[Amore]

I mentioned on another thread that I remember watching him on his local station in Miami during and after the long ordeal of Hurricane Andrew (Kerry Sanders was also reporting locally at that time). I kind of felt a kinship with both of them because of that. I was glad to see them on NBC after we had all left Miami, and I'm so sorry to see David go. Almost no one here on FR has said a bad word about him today. High praise indeed!

[floriduh voter]

He wasn't a short guy either. That didn't help.

I liked the guy. I thought he was working his way up to anchor and was surprised to see him in this conflict instead of splitting weekend duties with Soledad (sp?).

I've was told once that when somebody's going to pass, they have a transformation and become overjoyed and excited before they pass. I've seen this happen to a friend but I'm positive that there are a range of opinions on this. I avoid religion threads but David Bloom has been like a kid in a candy store since he embedded.

[floriduh voter]

Linda Vester from Fox had to have known him when she was at msnbc.

He was no clymer.

Kerry Sanders and Linda Vester were both in the Tampa Bay market during Desert Storm. I didn't really know about Michael Kelly but I also liked Bloom.

Kaboom from Baghdad. The allied troops JUST BLEW UP THE SADDAM STATUE. 2:46 pm est WOO HOO!

[whadizit]

That is so tragic! I'll bet if the medics knew what his doc told him, they would have insisted he get help. So, so sad!

[bayareablues]

What a sad tragedy to lose these journalists. They too, were there for us.

A moving tribute, but the scum author had to take a swipe at the military in his final line. My sense is David Bloom would not have.

[Timesink]

Bloom's family issues statement about his death

Monday, April 7, 2003, 1:49 AM

New York-AP -- The family of NBC correspondent David Bloom has issued a statement about his death.

They say he touched many people throughout his life and his work, "but none more than his family." They also say they "will miss him forever."

Bloom died from an apparent blood clot Sunday while covering the war in Iraq. He was 39 and is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Bloom was from Minnesota and played hockey in high school. There was a moment of silence for him before Sunday's night N-H-L game in Saint Paul between the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets.

[rmlew]

People normally get PVT as cramped passenger in automobiles or planes. (Although it is possible to get it simply at the office.)
It is important to walk every few hours and get up if your are cramped.