I’m Wanda and I’ve owned Wanda Ruiz Salon in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico since 1992. I’ve been a CND Education Ambassador since 1996.
Two years ago I was hospitalized for one week due to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in my left leg. I drank medication for a three-month period and was found to be OK by my doctor and was taken off the treatment. Two months later I had the exact same symptoms and actually had another blood clot in the same leg, only it was higher up in my thigh than the first time. I was submitted to very specific blood tests, scanning — the works! It turns out that not only am I predisposed to DVT because of my sedentary lifestyle and excess weight but I am also predisposed genetically. Therefore, I will have to drink blood thinners for the rest of my life in order to prevent future DVT episodes.
Besides drinking Coumadin, I was instructed to wear a compression garment, lose some weight, and do some low-impact exercise. I really did not like wearing the compression garment. I kept eating the same foods and did exercise off and on — truthfully more off than on. Three months ago I noticed the toes on my left foot were swollen and did not go back to a normal size for weeks. I decided to get it checked out and as a consequence of not following the doctor’s orders mentioned above I now have Lymphedema as well.
Now I must lose 30 lbs. in order for my vascular systems to function efficiently. In attempt of getting a jump start, I have incorporated some healthy choices of food in my diet (I’ve gone a bit organic), but this alone is not going to get me healthy. Thanks to NAILS Magazine’s Hannah Lee and my family at CND, I’m inspired to reach my goal and have jumped on the wagon of moving toward my ultimate healthy lifestyle through Healthy Tech Talk.
— Wanda Ruiz
Print | posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 9:58 AM