Went for my annual physical last month. Actually, it was more like 15 or 16 months since the last time, and I don’t know why, since, unlike most of my doctors’ visits, it involves no copay.
She indicated that I was doing OK. I weigh too much, as though I didn’t know, but about 10 pounds less than I thought I was, which was a nice surprise. Still, my arthritic left knee always feels better with every pound lost.
I was concerned about my blood pressure. When I donated blood in April, my BP was around 90/60, which is unusually low for me; I wonder if that affected my donation difficulties. The next donation in July, my BP was 154/90, which was uncharacteristically high for me. So seeing 132/80 was rather comforting. Happy that my blood sugar was good.
There has been a lot of news on the media about whether men should still be getting PSA tests to check for prostate cancer. My doctor is a believer, especially for me, since I have a family history (father) for the disease.
We talked about my vitiligo because people with it may be more prone to diseases of the adrenal glands (Addison’s disease) or thyroid (Graves’ disease). As the NIH notes: “The course of vitiligo varies and is unpredictable. Some areas may regain normal pigment (coloring), but other new areas of pigment loss may appear. Skin that is repigmented may be slightly lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. Pigment loss may get worse over time.” This is true. Not only are some parts of my body getting a little more color, but my gray/white beard suddenly has darker hairs; very strange. I find that my skin is more sensitive, not only to the sun, but to unexplained bruises and cuts. Also, I NEED sunglasses on an overcast day.
But as I said, I’m doing OK.
Now NEXT year, I need to get a colonoscopy…
Glad to hear that you are doing OK!
I went, back in early July. I too weighed less than I thought I would, but still need to lose more weight. My blood sugar has been elevated for nearly two years. I’m taking it more seriously now.
I’m glad you’re healthy!
Have you tried a dietary change to help with the bruises and cuts? I started feeding a relative all-natural smoothies made of fat-free Greek yogurt, vegetables and fruit and it helped, either from the higher protein or from the nutrients or maybe both.
Glad to hear you are hale and hearty. Me, I stay well by avoiding check-ups!
Chris – Sounds like a good idea; I’ll try it!
So glad you’re going to plan to be with us for another year! And my doctor throws out that C-word too. I just ignore her.
Sounds like all is well, Roger. Just had my baseline colonoscopy this year, and won’t need another for, I think 5 years. It’s hardest choking down all the Gatorade From Hell, then staying close to the bathroom all the night long… but it was worth it to get the “twilight sleep” and wake up, because you need someone with you, and Lex took me to breakfast. Not that I remember what I ate…
My BP is usually 90/60. Higher before I lost 50 pounds. You know those “ideal weight for the indicated height” charts they have at the doctor’s office? My doctor took forever, this was back when I was short and about 165 pounds, and when she finally came in, I pretended to be panicked and said, “Oh, my God! I’m five foot nine!” We broke up… Amy