The Inevitable
I'm not proud of the fact that I haven't been to the doctor in over 15 years. But seeing that I have passed the legal speed limit (55), and inspite of the fact that I have no pain, no sickness, no problems, and do not take any medications or vitamins, I went ahead and scheduled a "meet-and-greet" with a doctor at the local Kaiser Permanente. My check-up was on June 7.
I guess the big fear with guys my age is finding out you have issues with your prostate. Well, according to the doctor, there was no physically-identifable swelling or enlargement of this elusive gland. But I feel he and I have a much closer relationship at this point. I also am concerned with my PSA numbers, but am waiting to hear back on the analysis from the lab.
I was surprised that my blood pressure was on the high-side, but is not considered "high" blood pressure. I recall it was officially higher a few years ago when I was a proud member of the corporate workforce. Maybe 3 years of self-employment tends to relieve one's stress. (Right. You ever tried to get a refinance completed working with third-party escrow, title, appraisers and lenders?)
I had 5 vials of blood taken, and they sent it off to the lab for a complete series of tests. Over the last few days, I've been getting nifty little emails from Kaiser letting me log in at the website, view the results and read more about any of the tests or results. Very informative.
Anywho, according to the results I've received so far, nearly all of my readings were smack-dab in the middle of the normal ranges. All organs appear functional and are doing what they are supposed to. So on the surface, my years of "hamburger, fries and a coke" and lack of exercise had no adverse imact on my health. See, everyone. I told you!
Well, I said "nearly", didn't I.
I have a follow up with the doctor next Friday to address my HIGH CHOLESTEROL. (Now, what have all the commercials and magazine articles and news stories told me I need to do to lower my cholesterol?) I feel like such an idiot, but I've decided that if anything is going to change, it has to come from within me.
Taking charge of the situation, I have begun a daily exercise ritual - to get in the habit of moving my sorry ass around more, and getting back into shape. Each morning I walk briskly for 45 minutes, and then come home and swim laps in the pool. (Finally, after 15 years of owning a swimming pool, I use it for something other than floating on a raft soaking up rays.) I also have started keeping a log of time walked, laps swum and bare-naked weight. I've recorded some yoga programs for the wife, and think I may also block out an hour each day to begin yoga-ing (is that a word?) At this rate, I'm going to have to get up at 5am to get all this stuff out of the way by 7am... which means going to bed at a "decent" hour. The hardest part of all this new lifestyle may be trying to go to sleep at 10pm.
Well, I'm sure the doctor will have some other ideas of what I need to be doing to control my numbers, but am sure that what I am doing will put me in the right direction. I'm not overly concerned, and am confident that I can put the numbers back in the normal range.
Will try to update the blog every so often to record progress.
I guess the big fear with guys my age is finding out you have issues with your prostate. Well, according to the doctor, there was no physically-identifable swelling or enlargement of this elusive gland. But I feel he and I have a much closer relationship at this point. I also am concerned with my PSA numbers, but am waiting to hear back on the analysis from the lab.
I was surprised that my blood pressure was on the high-side, but is not considered "high" blood pressure. I recall it was officially higher a few years ago when I was a proud member of the corporate workforce. Maybe 3 years of self-employment tends to relieve one's stress. (Right. You ever tried to get a refinance completed working with third-party escrow, title, appraisers and lenders?)
I had 5 vials of blood taken, and they sent it off to the lab for a complete series of tests. Over the last few days, I've been getting nifty little emails from Kaiser letting me log in at the website, view the results and read more about any of the tests or results. Very informative.
Anywho, according to the results I've received so far, nearly all of my readings were smack-dab in the middle of the normal ranges. All organs appear functional and are doing what they are supposed to. So on the surface, my years of "hamburger, fries and a coke" and lack of exercise had no adverse imact on my health. See, everyone. I told you!
Well, I said "nearly", didn't I.
I have a follow up with the doctor next Friday to address my HIGH CHOLESTEROL. (Now, what have all the commercials and magazine articles and news stories told me I need to do to lower my cholesterol?) I feel like such an idiot, but I've decided that if anything is going to change, it has to come from within me.
Taking charge of the situation, I have begun a daily exercise ritual - to get in the habit of moving my sorry ass around more, and getting back into shape. Each morning I walk briskly for 45 minutes, and then come home and swim laps in the pool. (Finally, after 15 years of owning a swimming pool, I use it for something other than floating on a raft soaking up rays.) I also have started keeping a log of time walked, laps swum and bare-naked weight. I've recorded some yoga programs for the wife, and think I may also block out an hour each day to begin yoga-ing (is that a word?) At this rate, I'm going to have to get up at 5am to get all this stuff out of the way by 7am... which means going to bed at a "decent" hour. The hardest part of all this new lifestyle may be trying to go to sleep at 10pm.
Well, I'm sure the doctor will have some other ideas of what I need to be doing to control my numbers, but am sure that what I am doing will put me in the right direction. I'm not overly concerned, and am confident that I can put the numbers back in the normal range.
Will try to update the blog every so often to record progress.
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