Of Fingersticks, Bloodwork, and Doctor Visits

     On March 23, 2012, I had blood work through my insurance company for their Pathways to Wellness Program.  I finally received my results 2 weeks ago.  Needless to say, my bloodwork isn't as good as it was last year at this time. A breakdown is as follows:

      Hemoglobin A1C --   7.9  --  High.  Normal levels are less than 5.6. 

      Triglycerides -  226 -- Very high.  Should be less than 150.  

      HDL Cholesterol (good Cholesterol) -  36  -  Low.  Should be greater than 39.  Not too bad. 

      VLDL Cholesterol -  45.   Should be between 5 and 40.  Not too bad.  

      LDL Cholesterol -  40  -  Good-- should be between 0 - 99.  

      Overall Cholesterol -  121  -  Good -- should be between 100 - 199.  

      As you can see,  I have some work to do.  As a result,  my new Doctor wanted to see me to take a look at my medications and see if there is anything to change.  I met with my doctor tonight (Dr. Shetty) and we discussed some things.  For right now, we are going to up one of medications.  I am also going to take a hard look at my overall diet and see what I can adjust without feeling like I'm giving up EVERYTHING i like (tried that before -- and hated it).  Dr. Shetty isn't too concerned with my triglycerides right now.  In case you aren't aware, Triglycerides are a measure of of dissolved fat in the blood.  Yes this is a concern to me, so I am planning on researching this to see what to do.  I am trying fish oil supplements to counteract this.  

    As always, my weight is a concern and it has been a losing battle since my 20's.  Need to figure out what to do next with that. Yes, I know that exercise is important for me.  That being said, there has to be time to exercise and I rarely seem to have time for that.  I am so used to being on the go that by the time I get home, I have crashed for the evening from being worn out  (yes I know that's not good).   Like I said, I need to figure out next steps and see what I can do.  

     One of the other things I am planning on doing  is to monitor my sugar levels more frequently.  I am planning on fingersticks in the morning, in the afternoon right after school, and before bedtime.  There has been a concern in the past of glucose levels rising during the night, so I'm going to monitor to see if this is happening (I may test at 1 or 2 in the morning -  I usually wake up at that time anyway LOL). 

     Why all this?  Its because when I go back to the doctor in July, I will have another round of bloodwork done to see if my numbers improve.  That's the thing about being a diabetic, more doctor visits, more blood work, and more fingersticks.  Some days I think I'm being bled by a vampire, but I know that its for my own health and well being.  So, wish me look, offer me encouragement, etc.  Looking forward to share more information.   By they way, My fingerstick this morning was 101 and this afternoon it was 110, so that part is good :).  

Beginning my 50 by 50 List (first 5)

      So, my good buddy Sharon Emory created a 50 by 50 list of things that she really wanted to do by the time she was 50.  I've spent a few months thinking about what I would like to have in my list, so here we go with my first installment.

1. DeClutter.  I so need to do this.  I have been somewhat of a packrat (a trait I inherited as the youngest child of parents who grew up during the Great Depression and threw nothing out on the chance that parts of whatever can be used again).  I now find myself in a major state of clutter.  At any rate, getting rid of stuff has been coming in stages, so I begin until I get to the point where I don't know where to go to next and take a break.  I hope to be successful with this soon :).   

2.  Paint/Draw again.  This was something that I used to do and really enjoyed.  At one time in college, I was attempting to be a double major in Elementary Education and Art Education.  I ended up giving the Art Education part due to me only having the financial support of my parents (who went without for me to go to school without loans).  I had a part time job at Wendy's, but with supplies being hundreds of dollars and back then wages were 3.35 an hour, I just couldn't afford it anymore.  Anyhoo, I plan on getting back into this

3.  New Couch.  We so desperately need a new couch, of which every member of my family will readily attest to.  However, my mother is in a state of major denial, thinking that there is nothing wrong with the couch (LOL she never sits on it and doesn't have to deal with trying to get up off the floor).  Now some of my friends have said "just go get one".  Well, I have to tell you that "just going to get one" won't do it.  My mother has very specific details in mind for the couch.  I have commented on the fact that I was going to get one, to which my mother replied, "neither you nor the couch will get through the door".  LOL.  such is life. 

4.  Lose weight.  I need to do this as well.  I am currently 100 pounds overweight.  Pair that with being a diabetic on top of it, and BAM! recipe for potential disaster.  I don't think I will ever be as skinny as I was in high school, but if i can at least get 60 - 70 pounds off, I will be happy.  The problem is that I work out, diet, exercise, etc etc. and drop down to about 270 and then get stuck and stay there, I just can't seem to get past that damn number. 

5.  Get out of debt.  I need to get my self more financially secure.  I'm not getting any younger and in about 12 - 15 years, i can retire ( I will have 30 years in at 55).  I need to make sure i have my nest egg ready to go for that time, because when I quit teaching, I will not be a substitute. 

     There you have it, the first 5 of my 50 by 50 list.  I welcome comments or suggestions from my friends.  All are welcome.  Until next time,  good night.