5K

I have been really wanting to do things that I have never been brave enough to do. I guess you can say I have developed a bucket list. One of the things I want to do is to participate in a 5K of some sort. I have never been a runner and this is one of those things that when I finish I can say, “Heck, yeah, I did that.” So I am making plans to participate in the Color Run in Albuquerque. Watch the video and you can see why I have picked this 5K.

Life Changes

It’s been so long since I have written. I have been caught up with work and life in general. My job has been going great and I look forward to continuing to grow within my position. We have gotten the garden planted, the trees and shrubs pruned, new roses out front, and are only waiting on the bees to come in to tie everything together. 


Last month I saw three different doctors regarding whether or not I would remain on Coumadin therapy. The pulmonologist sent me to see a hematologist (blood doctor). The hematologist was indifferent to whether or not I have a clotting disorder. After reviewing my labs while I was hospitalized, he noticed that I have developed antibodies in my blood as a result of the pulmonary embolisms. Because of these antibodies I have a 30% chance of reoccurrence of life threatening events such as a pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack, or death. This was a huge blow to me. I never thought that I would have to remain on medication the rest of my life or that I was ever so sick to warrant daily medication. 


So now I’m dealing with the life changes that come with being on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I have to avoid foods that are high in Vitamin K because they thicken my blood. So spinach, kale, and avocado, are on this list. I can eat them but I would have to eat them daily so that my medicine can be adjusted accordingly. For now these things become a very once and a while treat. Also, I’m not suppose to consume alcohol. After talking to my doctor he said I could have a glass of wine or margarita every once and a while. I will bruise easily and will have to wear a medical ID bracelet to notify EMT’s that I am a bleeder. 


Most upsetting is that if I am to become pregnant I will have to immediately switch to Lovenox shots because Coumadin causes severe birth defects. I have done the shots before but doing shots for 7-8 months is extremely costly. I have estimated that the Lovenox shots will run us about $5,000. I have been doing some research and there is now a generic form that is available at our local pharmacy. I am hoping that it will only take a phone call to change my prescription to the generic form. I have also learned that being on Lovenox while pregnant will not allow for an epidural during delivery. I have never wanted a natural birth and although I know woman do it all the time, it’s not something I am wanting to do. So if we do become pregnant, I want to consult my OBGYN to see if I am a candidate for a cesarean section.  


All I know is that I thought family planning became difficult when I was told I could no longer use hormonal birth control. I never thought I would worry about birth defects and no epidurals.  There are times where cry because I don’t like to think I was sick or suffered two life threatening events. I like to think I’m okay and that it was all a nightmare. But now it’s something I have to deal with. I have no choice and I am fully aware that my life has changed. If all I have to do is take a little pill every night to live then I will do that. I was lucky that things were not worse than what they were and I am blessed to be supported by those around me. I have learned to live more and to love more. I never would have imagined that it all could have been taken away in a second. 


My advice, watch the sunrise and the sunset, smell the flowers, do something you thought you would never do because life is really too short to regret all the things you have not done.

Setbacks...

It’s been a rough two weeks. I have been experience back pains and the seasonal bug. My regular doctor was out of the office when I went in to get my Coumadin levels checked on so I saw another doctor. While discussing my back problems he told me that I need to work on getting to the gym and strengthening my abdominal muscles. To which I responded that I have been going to the them 3-4 times a week and at least two of those times I engage in yoga and spin classes. His response to that was that I’m working out to much. So I gathered, I’m fat and I’m working out too much. Kind of depressed me and I took it out on food. Having the seasonal bug had me bunkered down for a week. It’s rough not being able to go to my good ole dependable medicine cabinet and having to check with a pharmacist when I want to take something over the calendar.

After the office closed on Friday do to inclement weather, I came home and crashed out for a good two and half hour nap. I really need to work on getting to bed earlier. I feel like I’m running myself ragged by staying up past 10 only to turn around and be up by 4:30 am to get ready for work. Today Kelly and I had another massage session. It was amazing and much needed. This time around I don’t feel so beat up and have been drinking lots of water in hopes of flushing out the toxins.

I’m going to restart my diet and exercise regiment tomorrow. I need to get my body back on track and on a healthy path. I was feeling so much better before my back started hurting. The weather is getting warm and I’m looking forward to eventually getting back onto the golf course. I want to establish my handicap this year and participate in a couple of tournaments.

Here are my new numbers. I’m not proud of them. It’s been a rough couple of weeks.

Date	Waist	Hips	Thighs	Arms	Weight
1/26/2012	39”	45”	25.5”	14”	184lbs
2/2/2012	37”	44”	26”	14”	183lbs
2/9/2012	36.5”	43”	25.5”	13.75”	181lbs
2/16/2012	35”	43.5”	25.5”	13.75”	178lbs
2/23/2012					179lbs
3/2/2012					181bs
Difference	-4”	-1.5”	0”	-0.25”	-3lbs

Gym Time

This last week was pretty AMAZING!!! Work has been so awesome. I find myself getting to work early and staying late just because I enjoy what I’m doing. Every day presents itself with new challenges. Outside of work I did well in attending both my yoga and spin classes. Kelly had plans to fix Valentine’s dinner but we rescheduled for this weekend so that I could hit the gym. I’m really starting to see gym time pay off. My clothes fit better, I’m more confident, and I just feel better. I’m able to run on the treadmill longer and faster than I did prior to suffering my PE. Kind of strange, but I will take the better, new and improve me any day. I’m looking forward to this week because it is my short week and will have Friday off. Kelly and I are heading to Durango Saturday to hit up the spa for another side by side massage session.

Well there isn’t much more to report other than my weekly progress:

Date	Waist	Hips	Thighs	Arms	Weight
1/26/2012	39”	45”	25.5”	14”	184lbs
2/2/2012	37”	44”	26”	14”	183lbs
2/9/2012	36.5”	43”	25.5”	13.75”	181lbs
2/16/2012	35”	43.5”	25.5”	13.75”	178lbs
Difference	-4”	-1.5”	0”	-0.25”	-6lbs