Okay. Listen up. This is your only warning. I have to try and quit smoking. Okay that's not true. I have to actually quit smoking. Not just try. Been there, done that, failed miserably. Had a chat with my Hematologist a week or so ago. My blood cells, both white and red are above normal levels. Nothing too wrong and nothing major like Leukemia or anything but out of whack and with a good reason. Not sure if I understand this completely but I can get the basic idea.
See the red blood cells do the hard work. They carry oxygen to the cells and the muscles and all over the body. It's like a HUGE freaking freight train running 24/7 on autopilot. Problem is if you are a smoker the red blood cells have trouble carrying oxygen. The doc say that basically the Co2 jumps on first and won't get off thus leaving less room for the good stuff oxygen. The more cells taken up by Co2 the less that can carry oxygen around. So what happens is the body says "Hey we need more oxygen we don't have enough." The red blood cells look around and say "Hey we are running at full capacity. What do you want us to do ? We can't work no OT it's not in the contract. Sorry" SO The body kicks in and makes new red blood cells. Soon these too are making the rounds with the greedy and lazy Co2 and so the body makes even more. Apparently when the Co2 hits a level of 15% or more it is toxic to the body. Mine are at 14%. Like who the heck would know that ? I get my O2 count done a lot. Just about every doctor I see has one of those little thingys that go over the end of your finger to read your pulse and O2 levels. Mine have always been up around 98%. Not perfect but hey still a nice healthy A in my book.
Well the doctor is right. That is what we pay him for.. So for the next few months I will be getting regular lab work as well as something called a C45M Infusion well that is how it is listed on the schedule sheet. Not sure if that is the actual term or not. Will know for sure on Friday May 22nd. I had thought he was going to wait on this infusion thing but apparently not.
So the good news is he said I can use the E cigarettes and still get my nicotine ! YIPPIE. I won't be a complete asshole ! I am betting my wife will be thankful for that. I tried using Chantix ages ago. Nothing at all happened. Followed directions and never felt one little twinge while taking it and still smoking. Not even the bad dreams like some people had on it. Also tried Wellbutrin. That was a huge mistake. I became asshole number 1 and I was still smoking. Nasty I was. Quit it after about 2 weeks. Failed at many other attempts to quit smoking over the years so maybe this time I can finally kick it. Hopefully I will not become asshole number 1. If I do I am sorry. I will try and keep any assholishness to myself. That said I may well let fly at some deserving targets just to get it out of my system. I think i should start a list and head it with Mitch. My oh so wonderfully attentive Senator. 3 Letters to him so far and no response except for 1 form letter. Letters 2 and 3 were in response to the form letter so I can understand why he didn't respond with another. 2nd place on the list will be that other delightful fellow from my state who thinks he will run for both Senate and President in violation of Kentucky law. 4 Letters to him have gone unanswered. I am thinking 5 and 6 will be as much fun to write. I am open to other good targets to take any assholishness out on so feel free to suggest someone or something I overlooked. Wish me good luck
Mon May 11, 2015 at 2:34 PM PT: Well the first 2 weeks have gone well cut back by a whole carton of cigarettes in a 2 week period. Was smoking 3 cartons in 2 weeks. Now down to 2 cartons in 2 weeks. That is good for me ! Want to try and get down to just the e cigarette then drop off them as well. so will keep all posted. Also want to say thanks for the support