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.

March 31, 2023 - Blood Pressure Check #3

Rested, Better Eating Habits Lately, No Booze, no acting crazy and pulling flopping legs out of cars, no procedures, no doctors in lab coats, no stress, and a nice nurse. Results: GOOD BLOOD PRESSURE READING.

My Healthy Living Journey Continues.....

Related Posts

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)