Tell us Your Story

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Comment by Kay Van Hoesen on July 13, 2011 at 12:01am

Wow, Carla, I just read your story on your blog ... yet another blog. You ARE a committed blogger. Anyway, that's a powerful story. I only got to listen to the first half of Monday's show with you and Lisa. I had a meeting in the second half. Now I want to go back and listen to the archive. God Bless You!

Comment by Carla J Schuchman on July 12, 2011 at 3:22pm

Hello, Just say this group and thought I would post my "other" story.  It is much to long to post here, I think, so I will share this link with you.  I spoke briefly about this on the show with Lisa Kratz Thomas on 7/11/11.  This link is solely dedicated to this story of survival, forgiveness and freedom!  Thanks Ya'll and God Bless You!

In My Fathers Lap

Comment by Devin on May 4, 2011 at 11:23pm

Yes, propane can if there is incomplete combustion, meaning there is not enough oxygen present for the system to burn correctly.  I would advise anyone to install a detector for gas or propane heat.  Better to be safe!

Thank you for the thought, but I was only without heat for 3 days while the system was being replaced.  I could have stayed elsewhere locally but I wanted to keep a check on things while the old unit and duct work was removed.

Comment by Kay Van Hoesen on May 4, 2011 at 10:06pm

We have propane for our fireplace and propane water heater. Could that emit carbon monoxide too?  Wow, no heat for all those days?!  You should have come to the beach and stayed with us!

Comment by Devin on May 4, 2011 at 7:11pm

It was what most people refer to as a Gas Pack unit.  Heat and air all-in-one. The air is electric.  The heat runs through a heat exchanger which blows into your house via the electric blower in the system.  Some people have stand alone air units and heat units.  Any units that run gas can emit carbon monoxide.  If you have one you should also have a carbon monoxide detector installed inside.  They should be replaced every 7 years.  I had one but it wasn't working properly and I didn't know one should replace them every 7 years.  It was quite an ordeal and I was very lucky.  The techs immediately cut all gas coming to my house and the entire unit was deemed unusable.  I froze for several days before the install of the new system in December but it was worth the wait!  I became very good friends with my electric blanket. :)

Comment by Kay Van Hoesen on May 4, 2011 at 5:23pm

OMG, Devin. I just now saw your story!  Wow!  That's amazing!  And scary!  Do you have gas heat?  Can an electric HVAC emit carbon monoxide?  Thank God this was found!!!

Comment by Devin on April 22, 2011 at 12:22am

PS: Misspelled Meneir's.  It is Meneire's, I believe.  Have a Happy Easter, everyone.

Comment by Devin on April 22, 2011 at 12:16am

I have many stories.....but there is this one I want to share today which could save a life. Nothing earthshaking but worth sharing, I think.

It begins around May, 2010 shortly after the 2nd annual Historic Columbia Speedway RacersReunion Festival.  I'm not a good story teller or writer but I'm going to give it a whirl.

Shortly after the above mentioned event I began having vertigo attacks. They were spaced out enough not to cause a great deal of concerned at first.  But during the next several months the attacks became more often and increased in severity.  I, of course, went to the doctor and was eventually diagnosed with Meneir's Disease.  I wasn't totally convinced this was the cause.  Next, I was sent for further testing with a heart doctor.  An impending heart attack was ruled out. However, a small blockage was found in my neck, but again nothing to be alarmed about.  Then I was sent to a ENT specialist.  Much testing continued with this doctor for two months.  I had only two of the symtoms necessary to diagnois Meneir's Disease.  It was now late November.  I was placed on a medication to control water in my ear area and told to report any further symptoms.  Then in December, on a early Saturday morning it was time for a inspection of my HVAC system in the house.  The technician discovered several leaks in the heat exchanger that routes hot air into the blower and into your house.  Turns out I was slowly being poison by carbon monoxide for months.  My understanding is a reading of 400 will put you to sleep forever.  The level in my house was 220 at the time.

So, even when the air was running during the summer it was blowing the leaking gas through the duct work into the house.  On December 7, 2010 the entire system and duct work was replaced.  The existing unit was only 15 years old. The headaches and vertigo stopped.  My message:  If you ever have any of these symptoms, call your local Heating and Air technician before spending thousands on specialists.