Friday, November 13, 2009

Update and Another Song Daddy Sang

Yesterday:

I was up bright and early this morning after fasting last night and downing mucho water. I headed up to the lab that's part of the medical foundation where Doctor Maria practices medicine. (The phrase 'practice medicine' always sort of gives me a giggle. If they're just practicing, shouldn't we be scared?) Imagine my surprise when my phone rang at about 4:30 and Doctor Maria's nurse called to tell me they had my test results. Yikes!!!! I'm used to having to go back in two weeks!!!!! Wowsers!!! These folks are efficient!!!

I was told that I have a urinary tract infection and need to drink lots of water and that a prescription would be forthcoming for an antibiotic at my pharmacy. She then proceeded to tell me that my cholesterol is too high and wants to put me on medication for that, too. I hate medications -- I get weird side effects from a lot of things -- so I asked if I could go on a diet to bring it down. She is going to ask Dr. Maria if I could do that and call me in the morning.

I've been thinking about it and realized that I can't afford a lo-fat, lo-cholesterol diet. I remember when my ex-husband was on that and it wasn't cheap at all. Lean meat, fish, and fresh fruit and veggies are expensive and I cut corners on groceries so I can afford other things I need. This frustrates me terribly. Plus I'll lose weight and my clothes won't fit. Everyone already thinks I'm too thin as it is. The exercise part is hard, too, because of limited mobility from my stroke there's a lot of exercise I simply cannot do -- not to mention the expense -- and winter is coming and taking walks will not work -- I'll break a leg or something on the ice. Am I annoyed and upset? You betcha. Frankly, I didn't think I ate enough to have high cholesterol. I rarely eat a meal. My diet consists of a couple snacks a day. Why? Because I'm not hungry most of the time. Yesterday I ate a bowl of soup for supper and later had some ice cream.

Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to have a doctor who is thorough and efficient but something I've learned is that what they want you to do isn't always practical. I guess I'll just have to do my best with what I have to work with -- I should be used to that but I get tired of it. Hopefully, I can find some good solutions.

On a brighter note, Volly reminded me of another song Daddy sang to us that always left us giggling. Enjoy!!!!!



Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

13 comments:

  1. I enjoyed a number of tunes Burl Ives sang.

    Hope you get things worked out with your doctor on what you can do to deal with the cholesterol. Can they possibly get you into a P.T. program for a bit and have the therapists come up with a program you can do at home, especially in the winter, that's within your limitations?

    The older you become the more important it may be for you to find ways to eat more frequent, regular small meals to prevent other potentially serious diseases from developing.

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  2. I have high cholesterol too but it's a genetic thing...we almost all have it in my family; maybe that's it. whatever the reason, the Heart and Stroke Foundation urges you to deal with it, and as you wisely said, there are different ways of doing it. I hope that works out for you.

    We used to sing that song, to, but I never liked the Burl Ives version. He was just too wholesome for me.

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  3. I didn't even hit the play button yet I'm still singing it in my head - and will probably continue for the next several hours.

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  4. Hi, Kay,

    I am glad to see you are questioning the cholesterol medication but you may need it no matter what you do. Mom has been on Lipitor for some years. We look at our diets every so often to see just what we are getting in our foods and have found that we have cut the cholesterol about as much as we can. We do eat meat but not a lot. Most days it amounts to 4-6 ounces of lean meats. We often have 'meatless' meals. My own cholesterol levels were well within the low normal range and my diet is less restricted than Mom's mainly because of my morning bagel and cream cheese. I refuse to go to the low fat variety. You may be one of those people whose body makes more than you need.

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  5. I'm working on the same stuff Kay..only I NEED to lose the weight...and you don't. I'm not always good about eating the right amount of meals either...but they say eating 5 small meals 5 times a day and getting some decent exercise is ideal. Yeah, I'm still not doing it right...but it's a work in progress. Good luck with working it out sweetie... Hugs, Joy

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  6. I am on a statin to lower cholesterol and have been for three and one half years. I resisted it also and thought I could get it down. I wasn't getting it down and I can walk etc etc. I have found it doesn't seem to have any impact on me to take it and hope it might prevent some of the nasty results of high cholesterol. One big decider for me was that my good cholesterol wasn't as high as it had been. The good cholesterol is actually a bigger indicator of not having artery problems than the bad. If it's high, you might risk not going on the statin but otherwise, I think you might consider giving one of them a try. A lot of people have this problem purely from genetics and you can change diet all you want but it's how it will be. That said, using olive oil to cook is recommended and I have found many things can be cooked in it (like eggs) but it didn't bring it down either. I figure it can't hurt anyway. There is a lot of information online about foods that likewise do help and some might not be more expensive

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  7. The Burl Ives song that runs through my head is 'The Blue Tailed Fly'.

    Cholesterol is a killer,Kay and you must find a way to lower it. I am sure your doctor can give you a diet that will not cause you to lose weigh and is not expensive. Good luck and it's great that you have found a caring doctor.

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  8. NO MORE BACON for you, kid. and go vegetarian. i.e., just lay off anything with a face if you want to bring your cholesterol down with diet.

    and get used to eating your baked potato with olive oil. i do use a bit of ghee, though. all the milk solids are out of it.

    my cardiologist isn't speaking to me since i quit taking the anticholestrol pills. too bad.

    i'm still too fat, but i'm getting better.

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  9. I had a urinary tract infection a long time ago and was told to drink cranberry juice. It seemed to help. I also put cranberries in my oatmeal now. I've got the cholesterol problem, too and I'm on Lipitor which has helped. I know what you mean about medications though.

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  10. I've been on a statin lowering drug for years and years--a genetic thing for me too--so diet didn't work for me at all. I've had no side effects at all and my blood is tested regularly; there are several available you know, and many are generic and not expensive. Like Joared said, try to make it a habit to eat meals--several small ones are preferable--but eating regularly is important. You don't want to screw up your blood sugar levels. I rarely get hungry either, but I still eat regular. I'm glad you have a doctor who's so efficient, though. Quite a contrast with the previous experience, right?

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  11. Hi Kay! I said no to Lipitor, and I do think there is truth to the genetic link. Some people eat right and exercise, and it does not lower their cholesterol. I do think that you can eat meatless meals for not a lot of money. This comes from a person who is fond of cereal, sandwiches, and soup!! Maybe once the UTI is gone, you will feel better and be able to make a plan. Or not. No lectures from me.

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  12. Kay, I was afraid of cholesterol medicine too, and I avoided it for 18 months, but it was obvious that I couldn't get it down with diet alone. I went on simvastatin (generic for Zocor) and I've had no side effects at all. It worked well, too.

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  13. Kay,
    As you know a urninary infection can really cause stress and a sense of depression. Give yourself a few days, read up on the statins, and then take your questions and fears to the doctor.

    I have been on Lipitor for years. My high cholestral was genetic. I suspect yours might be too.

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