This one is mostly about health issues and the battle to accept and overcome them. A lot of you already know about my battle with Factor 5 Leiden. A rare blood disorder in the Thrombophilia end of the hematological spectrum. Basically, the opposite of hemophilia ( the bleeders ). Without large doses of blood thinners, my blood will thicken until my heart cannot pump it ... this comes with some side-effects like capillary ruptures and tissue starvation from lack of oxygenated blood. The resulting damage is permanent and effect every tissue including bone, heart and brain. Prior to Factor 5 going active, I was approximately 215 pounds ... I wasn't aware I had it at that time. I just noticed I was gaining weight Very fast. One day, I got off work and didn't make it to my car. I came to in the VA hospital ER on oxygen. 2.5 weeks later, after Many tests, I was diagnosed with F5L. I weighed 387 pounds.
About the time of my last blog, I was approximately 320 pounds. I was put on Elliquis and Jardiance to help fight the effects of diabetes induced by F5L. Since that time, I've discovered Dr. Steven Gundry and Dr. Eric Berg. And lost an additional 70 pounds. When I was first diagnosed with F5L, I was prescribed approximately 18 prescriptions. I am down to 6.
I tell you all of this so you understand the serious challenges I've faced when I say If I can do it, you can. I will NEVER not be in pain or Healthy. But, I am much healthier today than I have been in over a decade. And I will continue to work towards better health. The further I go down this path, the better I feel and the easier it is to be healthier. You can do this too. You just have to want to. And, then you have to get started. I retired to make my health my new career. Not everyone can do this, I understand. But you can do what you can to get healthier. I haven't worked out. I haven't been able to. But, I've done what I could. So can you. I'm here if you need someone to talk to regarding health challenges and the lifestyle. But Y/you have to decide to make the decision to do it. Trust me, if I can do it, Y/you can.
