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I had no idea what 2023 had in store for me. I had switched to a new medical provider, and not having seen a doctor for several years, I thought I would finally go to an ‘annual examination’ and get to know my new doctor. I didn’t know what was coming:

January 31, 2023, Abdominal Pain – and High Blood Pressure???

Before I made it to see my new doctor, in mid-January 2023 I had chronic abdominal pain. It bothered me so much that I was limiting my physical activity. After this persisted for two weeks, I was beginning to wonder if it was related to my diverticulosis – like a flare up, or inflamed diverticula. I decided to get it looked at and went to Urgent Care at Kaiser Permanente – my first time seeing a doctor for several years, and my first time at Kaiser as I switched medical coverage this year from Blue Shield to Kaiser. I checked into Urgent Care at Kaiser at 1:18 pm. It was a busy day, and I waited for over 3 hours in the waiting room, wondering the whole time if I was in the right place, how their system worked, etc. I made it to the examination room around 4:30 pm. After they took my vitals, I weighed in at 186 pounds, and was asked by the nurse – “Do you have high blood pressure?” NO, I DO NOT!!!! That is the first time in my life that I was asked that question. Well, I was asked because my reading came up 150/87. After thinking about this later, I suppose after stressing out for three hours in the waiting room that it would be a surprise if my blood pressure reading wasn’t abnormally high!

February 21, 2023 – Blood Pressure Still Higher Than Ideal

A retest of my blood pressure was still a little high with my systolic pressure at 132. Normal blood pressure for most adults is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80. Elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure between 120 and 129 with a diastolic pressure of less than 80.

February 22, 2023, Blood in Stool, Diverticulosis

On February 22, 2023 I went in for a colonoscopy due to a finding of blood in my stool on February 1, 2023 from taking an at-home kit to test for this. I had two non-cancerous sessile polyps that they removed, and I was diagnosed with moderate diverticulosis on both sides of my colon.

My First Meeting with My Doctor – And More High Blood Pressure???

My meeting with my new doctor went well. I brought a list (of course I did…) and he went over every item. He was a bit younger, and not talkative – but he probably thought I was crazy because I told him my blood pressure what high because I just pulled a girl with a flopping broken leg out of a car that crashed through metal barrier and into a fire hydrant. I still get queasy thinking about it. Anyhow my doctor wanted to put me on high blood pressure medication. NOOOOOOO. I said I would try to fix things by diet, exercise, and thinking good thoughts. Now for sure he knows I am crazy!

March 27, 2023 - Blood Work Results

Marginally High Cholesterol

- My Total Cholesterol was 186, lower than 200 but still too close to 200 for my comfort zone.
-My HDL Cholesterol was 47, above the normal of 40, but much less than 60 which is the level to protect you from heart disease.
-My LDL Cholesterol was 115, higher than the target of less than 100. -My Cholesterol Ratio was 4.0, higher than the target of 3.9 or less. -My Non-HDL Cholesterol was 139, higher than the target of 130.

Close to Pre-Diabetic

A repeatable fasting blood glucose result greater than 125 is a diagnostic of diabetes. My reading was 108, which means that I am at greater risk of future diabetes. My goal is to get my Glucose reading well below 100 and my Hemoglobin A1C closer to the middle range through My Healthy Living Plan.

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February 26, 2023 - The Day That Changed My Life
My Healthy Living Journey – 2023 (Part 1)
My Healthy Living Journey – 2023 (Part 2)
My Healthy Living Journey – 2023 (Part 3)