(Image Courtesy of tigoa at www.sxc.hu)
I apologize that it has taken me so long to write this new post about my three month checkup with my doctor on July 3rd, 2013. The first thing he did was to go over the results of my blood test, explaining the test indicated that my kidneys are doing just great, my potassium is normal, and everything else is normal except my glucose level was 119, prediabetes. Looks like I’ll need to really push on those numbers these next 3 months to get them below 90. He was really happy with my weight loss as I’ve lost 38 pounds total including a loss of 5 pounds this past three months.
I brought along a printout of my daily blood pressure log for the last three months since the last time I saw him. He was really happy with my numbers as they were running pretty consistently, currently 109/59 from where it was in April–130/68. The systolic numbers came down significantly and the diastolic numbers have been staying low too. But — and there is a but — when he took my blood pressure in his office it was 185/95 in the right arm! And in the left arm it was 176/93! My heart rate was 66 so that was good.
He had me lay down in a dark and quiet exam room to rest for about 20 minutes and then he took my blood pressure again. This time it was 165/85 in the right arm and 155/80 in the left arm. We talked about what happened and he said that I have wide fluctuations in my blood pressure or as he put it, “you have labile blood pressure.” I just don’t understand why I get these spikes every now and then. This is the first time it ever happened in the doctor’s office but I don’t think it had anything to do with “white coat syndrome” since it happens when I am home too. His recommendation is that I continue on the same medication that I have been taking without any changes. He wants me to continue the way I have been eating and to exercise. He said if I lose another 5 lbs in three months that might make a bigger difference. I agreed with him so I’ll just keep on keeping on. By the time I got home at 6:00 pm, my blood pressure came down to 116/65.
Tannaz, my personal trainer at 24 Hour Fitness, and I have our work cut out for us in the next three months! We have a goal to lose 10 pounds by the end of July so I’m really going to stay focused with my energy on this. I am really motivated and self-determined to improve my health.
One last item he was interested in and that is whether or not I saw the gynecologist for the mammogram and also to get a bone density test. He also wants me to have an echocardiography transthoracic test too. I replied, “no” that I never received any notice from the HMO so he said that he will follow up again with the HMO. He explained that he is required by the HMO to put in the requests and not his staff and that the HMO will contact me if they approve it. He told me if I don’t hear from them in two weeks to call him about it. On July 11th I received two letters from the HMO approving a visit with a gynecologist and one for the echocardiography test.
My sisters and children are concerned that I will be able to have a mammogram. As I mentioned in my post “Healthy Eating: Better Holistic Health Outcomes” on April 27, 2013, one of my sisters had breast cancer with an encapsulated tumor so both her breasts were removed a year ago in May. She takes one pill a day for five years, but she didn’t have any chemotherapy or radiation. My other sister found out several months ago that she has breast cancer. She is taking chemotherapy with some pretty horrible side effects. She has two more rounds of chemo. They have scheduled her for surgery the first part of September. After surgery she will have radiation treatment too. Both of my sisters have met this challenge with brave hearts and loving and positive attitudes. My heart, love and prayers are with both of them.
When was the last time you went to see your doctor? How is your blood pressure doing? What does your doctor say about it?
Congrats on your blood test results!!! Normal is such a good word! You are so focused on improving your health that I KNOW you will get your glucose level where it needs to be. Your 38 pound weight loss is terrific and I’m sure you will lose more. I can imagine that the blood pressure spikes are frustrating as there seems to be no rhyme or reason for their cause. As you stated in your post: “just keep on keeping on.” I will be praying about your upcoming tests and your sisters as well. KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!!!
Thanks, Lee Ann. I still have 37 pounds to go, but I’m getting there slowly but surely. Thank you for your prayers especially for my sisters. We are all in this life together so helping each other get through it is really what it’s all about. I’m glad that you comment on the posts. I’m looking forward to your doctor visit too so I’m praying for you that it goes well the next time you see him. It’s nice to get to know you through this blog. Have a happy Sunday tomorrow!
Life often throws us for a loop but on this journey, we often find unexpected travel companions; I’m so happy to have found you and your blog. I’m grateful to you for sharing your life experiences and approaches to improving your health. I look forward to reading your posts and always find so much encouragement. I’m continuing to use your H/G/ACV drink and the blueberry banana smoothie and my blood pressure has consistently remained in the normal range. I’ve also stayed away from salt and carbs. These changes, along with exercise, have caused me to lose 4 pounds. Probably just water weight but who cares, I’ll take it. LOL!!! Hopefully, my doctor will be pleased and advise me to stay with this course of action. Andrea it’s been wonderful getting to know you also. Your courage and strength are such an inspiration. Enjoy your Sunday 🙂
Thank you, Lee Ann. I am so happy you are keeping your blood pressure down too! That’s great that you’re losing weight too. It’s amazing that not using salt actually makes such a dramatic difference in keeping your blood pressure down. What are you doing for exercise? When I first went on the water pill and stopped eating salt, I lost weight too and my doctor was really happy with that too. It’s nice to have you as a travel companion on our journey through life.
My exercise routines are very eclectic which works well with my preference to be outside. I jog, walk, climb the levee, run stairs at a local high school, and boot camp workouts. These are all great cardio exercises. I also use weighted balls and hand weights for outdoor strength training. Some days, I work out at the gym. On those days, I walk on the tread mill, do abdominal work, and more targeted strength training. I’m fortunate in that I have the absolute best workout partner: my husband. He has the ability to create exercise routines using anything; including a tractor tire and sledge hammer!!! He works in fire service; however, I think his real calling is in personal training. He is quite effective. How is your training at the gym going? Do you find it helpful to have a trainer?
Wow! I’m really impressed with what all you do! I’m sure that what you just shared will help other people get an idea of the variety of exercises they can incorporate into their lives. This is great and having your husband be your exercise partner and his ability to be creative with exercise routines is a real gift. If he works in fire fighting and has 24 hours off and 24 hours on, he could really help other people on those off hours get started toward a routine that will help them too. I find it extremely helpful to have a trainer. I had no clue what to do other than walking and I just needed more than that. I’m just so happy that I am working with Tannaz at 24 Hour Fitness because she has really helped me so much. I’m working on a post about this so hopefully I can get it up tonight or tomorrow. Keep up the great work that you’re doing, Lee Ann. I’m really proud of you!
When exercising, it really is tough to figure out what to do; especially in the gym. Having a trainer really is the best option. My husband is very open to helping others reach their fitness goals. He voluntarily works with several of our friends, both men and women, to help them meet their fitness goals. Many times he is up and out at 4:30 a.m. to train them. Tannaz sounds really great and I know she will get you where you want to be. Looking forward to your post about your workouts.
Your husband sounds like a treasure to you and your friends. It’s good that he helps people because I was just floundering until I met Tannaz. Now I have a lot of hope that I will do this because I have someone who is directing me.