New Years! No more Coumadin.

So my resolution this year is simple, get off my blood thinner...Coumadin. This step was easy I saw my doctor as I do every few months and though we had talked about it before I told him I had decided it was time to give it a try. Now!
He went over possible complications with me again and also asked why I wanted to try going off coumadin. And really it was not that it was a pain to take every day... it was more that I wanted the freedom to not take it. Plus there was the thinning of hair, which wasn't noticeable to most people because I have such thick hair to begin with, but trust me it was coming out much more than an average head of hair. Then there is the constant bruising sometimes for no reason and I don't remember from what, then there is the fact that no matter how high a dose I am on... I am on double what most people are on... my body seems to adjust to it (my PT was 1.3 to low for being on 10mg of coumadin) and we have to up the dose next time I see the doctor which is a process of at least a week or two of every other day doctor visits to test my blood and PT level until it is between 2 and 3.
So, I said no more lets give it a shot without and hope for the best. Yeah, I could get a clot again in my kidney or somewhere else. I could start getting double vision again from the tiny clots. Or I could have the small TIA's again or worse I could have a major stroke, pulmonary embolism, or clots elsewhere, but I agree with my doctor...it was 28 years before I had my first major clot and I am taking an aspirin every day to aid in prevention and I am aware of my condition and symptoms and signs all of which I will report to my doctor the minute anything goes wrong. Plus we both think being on the Birth Control Pill may have added to my condition,so take that warning seriously when they say "may cause" whatever.
Therefore, I feel confident that this year will be a step forward in my health and not a step backward by getting off the coumadin. So this year...I will be toasting to my health and the exciting unknown ahead, but hoping for the best! Happy New Year to You All.

Holiday Cheer

So, Dallas and I never take pictures as a "Family" or "Couple" unless we take pictures with his mom and we have done that a few years but not lately. Anyway, this year I decided we were going to take our pictures but... I was going to take them because well I just love a challenge and I have to figure things out for myself. Plus I love using my camera and I got a remote for it so there is no more running back and forth trying to make it in the shot.
Of course we have a lot of funny pictures of Dallas because he is my lighting subject while I am trying to get the right light and settings. He wanders around and chats with me and I scold him for moving around but, it is fun and I think they turned out pretty good for my first shoot as subject and photographer. We had a good time! These are some of my favorites.

Happy Holidays 2009

Make a Smilebox greeting

More Snowboarding Pics

Playin' in the Snow

We went snowboarding at Mountain High with some friends. Dallas gave a first time snowboarder lesson to one of them and by the end of the day she was doing really well on her own, but she said she was hurting.
While he taught we set out to conquer the slopes...to my surprise I had not digressed this year:)
See, most years I spend half of the day reacquainting myself with the feel of the board on the snowy, slippery mountain. This year I was so proud I felt comfortable on the first run right out of the gate....or rather right off of the chair lift. It may have helped that the snow condition was pretty good. Anyway it wasn't untill toward the end of the day that I started falling again, I get tired and start making stupid errors.
I think Dallas was just glad to see improvement in me this year. I know I was! :)

Ah Yeah! It's that time again... What fun!

Thanksgiving in Texas

This year we were able to spend Thanksgiving in Texas. We had our Dotter family reunion over the Thanksgiving holiday and then we spent a few days after just hanging around our old stomping grounds, visiting people and spending time with friends and family. I think the best times were just hanging out and driving around together. Ok the Texas BBQ wasn't bad either, it is always a must when traveling to Texas. Dallas and I walked up and down the trails where we had walked sooo many times and it seemed like we had only been gone from Texas a few months. We were both amazed at the many changes there. Leslie had her hands full with the daycare the last few days and I just can't imagine how she does it, she must really love those kids. We had a wonderful time there and it was so nice to visit and see everyone. It snowed as we were leaving and though I have to admit it is nice to come back to sunshine and perfect weather, but I will miss having family to talk to every night. Thank you Dave and Leslie for having us, we always feel so welcome and loved.