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Vitamin K Restrictions

2009
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Many of you have been asking what type of dietary restrictions my mom will have once she’s home. The doctors said she can continue her normal diet, minus large intakes of Vitamin K.  Vitamin K is a thinning agent for your blood, and could affect the rate as which the Coumadin will thin her blood.

(Correction from Clinton Cleckler — Vitamin K is actually a clotting agent and will counteract Coumadin)

Leafy green vegetables such as kale, collards, spinach, turnip greens, beet greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens green leaf lettuce, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green onions, parsley, asparagus and sauerkraut contain more than the Recommended Dietary Allowances of vitamin K for men and women on Coumadin (http://www.dietitian.com/vitamink.html).  It won’t negatively affect her to eat these items in moderation, but, as the doctor said, “don’t sit down with a place of asparagus and spinach for dinner”.

Filed Under: Family

Up and Around

2009
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We just received news that Mom has finally been given permission to get out of bed!  I can only imagine what a relief it must be for her to stand on her feet for the first time in almost a week!  A Physical Therapist will be visiting her room momentarily to ensure her leg is ready to walk on again, and, once she gives her the go ahead, she can come home!

Mom’s sister, who is a nurse in Knoxville, is on her way down to the hospital.  She was planning on spending the day with her, but, once doctors sign the release papers, she will be bringing her back home instead!

Thanks so much for all the prayers and support.  This has been a miraculous journey!  God has done amazing things!

Filed Under: Dear Diary

Update on Mom

2009
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I know there are many friends and family out there who would like to know how my mom is doing. I figured it was time to dust off the old blog in order to get an update out.

A few weeks ago, Mom began complaining of cramps in her left leg.  She noticed a bit of swelling, but definitely nothing substantial.  When the symptoms didn’t subside a few weeks later, she went to see our family doctor.  As soon as Mom described her symptoms to the doctor, he sent her to the hospital for an ultrasound.  She arrived at St. Josephs shortly after, and received an ultrasound of her left leg.  After seeing the the readings, the ultrasound tech advised mom to “walk very slowly to a wheelchair, and a doctor will be right with you.”  Not the most positive reaction…

Once she was seen by a doctor she was told she had several, deep clots up and down her leg (Deep Vein Thrombosis), and one of the clots was “squiggling”.  This means the clot was loose and could possibly break off if they didn’t get her treated quickly.  For precautionary measures, he ordered a CT scan of her chest and abdomen to make sure the clot hadn’t already broken off and traveled to a major organ.  He also ordered an immediate regimen of Heparin, Coumadin (both blood thinners), and 100% bed rest for 3-5 days.

The next day the CT scan was given, and the results, again, were not very positive.  The clot had, in fact, broken off and traveled to both her lungs (bilateral pulmonary embolism).  It’s an absolute miracle she hadn’t experienced ANY complications from this.  Conditions like this can very often be fatal.  Mom definitely had a guardian angel on her side!  The doctor assured us the treatment she was currently on will help her body absorb both the clots in her leg and lungs.  She was told she may need to remain at the hospital a little longer than expected.

Mentally and physically, Mom feels 100% well, but we are very aware that this could have resulted in more serious complications.  Although the doctors aren’t 100% sure why the DVT developed so extensively in her leg, we are so grateful it was caught early enough to reverse!  We know she will be on a regimen on Coumadin for at least a year to ensure the clots don’t return.  She will also get frequent blood tests to track the INR of her blood (degree of thinness).  We hope she’ll be out of the hospital by the end of the week, and I know she can’t WAIT to get up and walk around!

We are all so thankful for everyone’s prayers and support.  I know God was on Mom’s side this weekend, and we are counting our blessings for His amazing grace!

Filed Under: Dear Diary

A Love Story.

2009
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Chase and AliSince I’ve neglected my poor little blog, many noteworthy life-events have occurred.  In an effort to play catch-up, I’ll start with my favorite news…

As my 24th birthday approached, I found myself hesitant about entering my mid-twenties.  What’s there to look forward to on your 24th birthday? Six years from 30?  One year from a discount on my insurance?  Woo hoo… Little did I know, one of the most exciting days of my life was quickly approaching.

I celebrated my birthday weekend at home with my family and friends.  A few great gifts and dinners wrapped up another year of my life.  The only gift that was missing was from Chase.  He informed me if I could wait until the following weekend for my gift, it would be well worth it.  Having no other choice but to agree, I anxiously awaited the weekend.

As instructed, I headed up to Chase’s hometown (about two hours North of Atlanta) on Friday.  He had told me we would be taking a weekend trip, so I had my bags packed with every combination of outfits I could think of.  I was clueless as to what plans he had in store for us.  Even if a small part of me thought he may propose, we had already spoken extensively about waiting until next year to get engaged, so that possibility was off the table in my mind.

After driving through the North Georgia mountains for about half an hour, we pulled into a resort on Lake Chatuge that I have always wanted to visit!  I was so excited — the weekend was definitely shaping up.  After we checked in, we decided to drive around and check some things out.  Chase took me to a local winery to go wine tasting, and they happened to be hosting a Tomato Festival that weekend as well (I LOVE tomatoes)!   After a few glasses of wine and an amazing day of tomato tarts and live music, we went back to the resort to get ready for our dinner reservations.

After enjoying an amazing dinner on the lake’s shore line, Chase and I walked around the resort’s campus.  Let me preface this with a fact about myself…I LOVE boats, lakes, marinas, etc., and Chase was well aware of this.  As the sun got low in the sky, Chase and I walked down the pier and sat on the lounge chairs to watch the sun set.  We were enjoying the evening, taking pictures and talking about nothing and everything…when all of the sudden Chase turned to me.  All I remember is “I love you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you”.  I don’t think I noticed the BEAUTIFUL ring in his hand or anything else around me for a good minute.  The first words out of my mouth were “::gasp:: how did you pull this off!?“  I think Chase was a bit concerned I didn’t give him an immediate “yes”, but that followed shortly after the shock wore off!  About 10 minutes of tears and hugs later, Chase and I returned to the room to call friends and family.  As I made my calls, Chase brought me a glass of wine from one of the two bottles we had picked up that day.  The second bottle remains unopened.  We’ll save that for the wedding day :)

Well, I thought the surprises were over.  Chase had successfully pulled off an AMAZING day, and I didn’t think it could get any better.  We were planning on heading home the next day after brunch, so I packed my bags and prepared for our departure from beautiful Lake Chatuge.  As I walked into the restaurant for brunch the next morning, all the servers were waiting at the front to hear the good news.  I had NO idea everyone at the resort already knew!  They then took me to our table, and to my surprise, my entire family was waiting there for me!  Of course, I broke down again and couldn’t believe how perfect everything was at that moment.  After a wonderful brunch with the family, we all were given a tour of the resort by the wedding planner :)  Of course, I couldn’t think about a wedding just quite yet (I was still in shock from the engagement), but the weekend couldn’t have been more perfect.  I am so lucky to have such an amazing fiance and family!

Filed Under: Dear Diary, Wedding