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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Miracles

I got a call August 14th that my son Ray had a massive stroke. I got on the  plane the next day and flew to Grand Rapids. He had liver and kidney failure and a whole in his heart. His body turned septic. They put him on life support.  I was blind to the idea that I was there to make a  life and death decision. Pastor Wally and his church family came up and prayed for him and with me.. I did not leave the hospital or his side for the first week.
Ray started to slowly started to improve. His liver and kidneys were still in failure and they started dialysis. His heart was working at 15% . The ICU  continue to work hard to keep him alive. Heather and Amiee stayed with me. We never left him alone and continued to pray.  One day he opened his eyes! The next day they removed the ventaltor. Ray was breathing on his own! He woke up hungry and wanted grapes and grape juice. They said he could have ice chips after a CT-scan they had scheduled.  He went from ice chips to  popsicles.
They slowly started removing the IVs. That is when I knew Ray was going to make it!  Soon he was out ICU. They did a stress test on Ray's heart. The results, his heart is working at 25%. His liver and kidneys counts are rising. It's  been three days since he's had dialysis. The doctors call his recovery a miracle. I praise God and thank him for  answering our prayers.
 If you would like to read more about Ray's recovery I have made a Facebook page with rates update
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1646898265624114
Ray will be moved to Mary Freebed for two weeks of acute physical therapy.
Thank you God for hearing our prayers. I know your healing hands have touched Ray's life.

Sunday, February 07, 2016

Life Style Changes

I've been thinking about it for a long time.  I was the last dinosaur standing who still smoked cigarettes.  Friday January 22, 2016 I decided I was done.

I got up the next morning determined I was going to quit. I was going smoke-free.  I made a sign and put it on the home screen of my iPhone. We tossed the cigarettes and ash trays into the trash.

I looked at this sign every time I thought about smoking the first few days.  One of the tools I used was tapping. A technique I learned in a book called   "The Tapping Solution" by Nick Ortner. What is tapping and how can you use it? Read here for an explanation.
I spent some time soul searching for the reasons why I was so addicted to smoking.  I came up with two very true but sad reasons why they were a crutch in my life. Sometimes the truth hurts as much as the reasons why.

I smoked because I was lonely. I smoked to be social.

I survived the first day and made myself another banner.
I knew this was going to be tuff.  It wasn't my first attempt at quitting. This time I was going cold turkey with no aids. I knew after the first 3 days it would be hard.  This is when the nicotine has completely left your body.  Your cravings increase along with other side effects such as being nauseated having headaches and being irritable. Two of my biggest withdrawal symptoms are trouble sleeping and increased appetite. On day six I bought Nicorette(R) mini lozenges. I gained 6 lbs. the first week and needed some help.

It's not over yet.  I have another week to go before I can say I have really  quit smoking and the rest of my life to prove it.


If you decide it's your turn to quit make a plan. Here are some links to help you on your way to living a smoke free life.
Check for apps on your mobile devices to help keep you on track.
I am using a free app from the apple store called LIVESTRONG.
If I can do this so can you!
Thanks for stopping by.
I wish you well.