The Coumadin files

My Hubby has a second chance at life.  On December 9th, 2014 my husband was admitted to the hospital for a blood clot in his leg (DVT) and part of it had broke off and hit his lung (PE) causing him to have shortness of breath.  He had suspected a blood clot in his leg for 5 days prior to the hospital visit.  He had a DVT about 13 years ago, so now he is on coumadin for life.  If we had insurance, my hubs would just now be released from the hospital.  But since we didn't, he was released on the 12th, with a box full of blood thinners that I had to inject him with twice a day.

At this point, most people question why this happened.. but not us.  I had been trying to get my husband to take his health seriously for some time.  He was a pack a day smoker.  He didn't exercise.  He ate well at home, but at work he was a soda drinking, fast food eating freak of nature.  He was chronically dehydrated and wouldn't listen to a word I said.  Talk about stubborn...

My husband didn't just develop these habits overnight.  His mother has a large cocktail of ailments and is the perfect example of how not to live your life.  We lost his father a year ago to lung cancer.  Both parents smoked, lacked exercise, and didn't eat well or drink plenty of water.  This is why it's so important to be a good example to your children.  At 40 years old, my husband has to undo all the bad habits and basically undergo deprogramming so he can learn to live a healthy life.

I am very proud of my husband for listening to his Doctor.  He is now over a week smoke free.  I'm settling in to our routine of tracking what he eats and monitoring his meds and blood count.  His spirits are up, and he seems to really be taking his second chance seriously.  We have to learn how different foods affect him, and become very consistent with how he eats.

Even though this was a very unexpected road in our life journey, I am very happy to be able to keep traveling along with him.  My husband can resume his work life today, and I admit that I'm not too happy about letting him leave my watchful eyes.  I will be a wreck today, but I'm sure that all will go well.

I will keep posting the 'coumadin files' so we can openly track our progress.  If you or someone you know is on coumadin, We'd love to hear from you!

Vaping for beginners

I've been a proud vaper since March 1, 2014.  My enthusiasm for vaping is contagious, and I'm eager to show and tell my vaping experience.  Even though I've been vaping for 9 months now (and haven't touched a lightable since then..) I'm still no expert.  I'm not even sure if I'm an intermediate yet.  What I do know, is that I love vaping.  I have successfully converted a few smokers to the vape side.  I feel it's my duty as a reformed smoker to convert as many people as I can to vaping.

For those smokers out there that are ready to try vaping, I have some beginners advice that you may find useful.  I have found that most people will switch entirely to vaping in a short period of time if they just stick with it.  There is no withdrawal when you switch to vaping!  This is why people are switching to vaping so easily.

Most people find that buying a vaporizer pen kit is the quickest way to start.  My first purchase was an Ego kit that included two smaller batteries, two atomizers (the top part that holds the liquid) a charger and carrying case.  I admit that I was really excited that it came with a carrying case to keep it all in one place.. But I quickly dismissed the case because I ALWAYS had the vape out and ready for use.  It only took a week for me to need to move into a large cosmetics type case to hold all my supplies.  (I had what is called in the vaping community, 'shiny syndrome'.. I bought lots of flavors and new equipment almost daily.)

The kit was awesome, because it has everything you need to get started, except for the juices.  I quit cigarettes the same day I purchased my kit, and never looked back.  The case is especially useful for people that are 'weaning' off lightables over the course of a week or more.  You just grab your case, just like you would your smokes and lighter.

A Vape store opened up down the road from where I live shortly after I began my vaping adventure.  I highly recommend buying your equipment and flavors from a Vape store.  First, they show you how to use it, clean it, and care for it.  You are more likely to stick with it if you know those things.  Second, if you have any issues with your equipment, just stop in and they will help you figure it out.  Third, you won't have 20 bottles of flavors that you don't like.  You get to try the flavors before you buy!

If you are a smoker and you are ready to change your life for the better, GO GET YOUR VAPE ON!  You won't stink like an ashtray anymore, and you will reap all the rewards of quitting smoking, without the withdrawal.  This is seriously the easiest way to quit smoking.  What are you waiting for?