Tuesday I had blood drawn in preparation for my doctor's appointment yesterday.
Wednesday, I jumped on-line, into my Patient Portal so I could see the lab results.
You know me. I like to know BEFORE I go to the doc, just so there are no surprises.
I do have control issues.
The nurse did all my vitals. I am still 5' 9 3/4" tall--no shrinkage in the last few years. Then the doc rolls into the room, holding my lab results in his hand and says, "Well, there's nothing I can do for you. You might as well go home." He is always so jaunty--personally, I think he has a touch of hyperactivity.
So I asked, "Did you find a cure for Tinnitus.....arthritis...or this hand tremor?"
"Nope," he says.
"Well then, I guess I might as well go home."
He was half-way out the door before he remembered, "Guess I oughta check your heart and lungs, right?"
He did and I came home.
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While this is all well and good--my blood results always are, I wonder about what is going on inside. Yes, the blood results show that my kidneys and liver are functioning as they should. My Thyroid is perfect, as is my Pancreas and Glucose levels. My Cholesterol is nice and low, but.....................none of this shows why, every once in awhile, I get a sharp pain on my right side, where my gall bladder is located, or on my left back, right over my kidneys.
What causes that? He told me once that as long as the pain doesn't last, there is no problem. He predicts I will live into my 90's.
What does he know? He's just a primary care doc and nowadays, they don't know much. If there is a problem, they ship you off to a specialist.
This whole idea of me completing my 80th year in mid-June has me freaked out--as if I can do anything about it.
I've never considered a person elderly until they are in their 80's. So, in my mind, on my birthday, I will officially be elderly.
It's all my sister's fault. Last June on my 79th birthday she said, "Just think. You are in your eightieth year."
Ever since then, when someone asks me my age, I say 80.
ARGGH!!
When I turned 70, I requested from this doc and got an abdominal ultra sound. I wanted some sort of reassurance that my internal organs were okay. I'd like to get another one. BUT--nowadays, the doc has to come up with a good reason because Medicare doesn't want to pay for these types of tests unless there is a suspected problem.
Maybe if I complain about the pain in my right side, which isn't there now and hasn't been in a few weeks, I could get the ultra sound. Then I would know that everything is all right with my innards.
If they found something wrong, what would I do? Freak out!
Maybe I am better off not knowing?
Anything really serious would show up in the blood work, wouldn't it? I know what you mean about dreading that 80th birthday. Heck, I felt that way at my 75th.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, glad you got a great doctor's report. That's always a good feeling.
Be very thankful that you are so healthy. If the dr told me that, I would have leaped out of the office. I hate going to the dr b/c they always seem to be looking for something. That may be b/c we have really good insurance. So far, Terry's heart surgery has cost us nothing even though the billing was for more than $100,000. Now, drugs, that's another story. Even with good insurance, he is paying $45 for one of the drugs he has to take b/c there is no generic. Having health problems can cost lots of money. Be thankful you are so healthy, and may it be that way for many more years.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great doctor visit. I wish mine were that good. You'll still be blogging in you nineties.
ReplyDeleteI have a yearly physical this coming Thursday, and I do my labs before I go in.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Hey lady! It's great to hear you are doing great! I can remember when it seemed to me 50 was old---now 80 doesn't seem old! Modern medicine, huh! Or good genes. You do a good jib of taking care of yourself ❤.
ReplyDeleteJudy it really does sound like you are a person in good health. Like you I’ve put myself forward for every health checkup I’m entitled to and as luck would have it I’ve been checked out as healthy. It doesn’t stop you worrying about that odd sharp pain or ache!
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy your blog.
Dear Judy, I will be 83 on April 1 of this year, so I do understand what you saying about turning 80. But it would seem that you have so much for which to be grateful. I say that because good health has become a top priority for me. Without it, I'm not going to be able to do the writing I want to do for the next many years. And so I frequently visualize healing white light traveling through my body, repairing and mending. I am so happy for you that your tests keep showing how healthy your body really is. I can understand, however, your wanting to do an abdominal ultra sound. It would give you some surety. But what I've discovered is that as I'm aging I need to let go of the belief of surety in the future. I'm trying--off and on and up and down and in every way I can!!!!--to live in the present and accept what it offers me. That's not easy for me because I've been so controlling toward myself all these years. But I know that age is asking that of me. I wish for you a great journey through your 80s. Peace.
ReplyDeleteAt least your dr remembered to listen to your heart and lungs. Mine does zilch unless I especially ask him to. I've been needing to have two things which I detest - mammogram and colonoscopy. Keep putting those off and seems lately everyone has needed me for something or other. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat date is your birthday in June?
xoxo
All I can think about is how fortunate you are to have had so many years with good health. And the doctor -- GP or not -- is right: don't worry about a pain unless it persists. You're in fantastic shape. I will be rejoicing as you turn eighty on June twenty-first -- the day on which the days start becoming shorter -- that God has given you so much to thank Him for. And I know that you do. God bless you! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHi- hope you’re ok .... miss reading your posts! Stay warm. It’s even frigid in West Tennessee!!
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