Sometimes the scriptures come to you...

 I decided to check SQL to see if my labs were completed and surprisingly they were!  It had been less than 24 hours since I had gone for the blood draw.  So I check the labs that Dr. Mark had ordered - cholesterol, LDL, HDL, T4, TSH - all were in normal ranges.   And then, I checked for the lab results that I had personally paid for.  That wasn't so good.  On July 7 I had this blood draw for HS-CRP and the result was 3.4.  It was in the lower 'high risk' range.  September 1 I had this same blood test for HS-CRP.  It is now 4.9.  Two months. It jumped 1.5 points.  Top end of high risk.  I brought up the definition of what the test was and even printed it out.  So what is it 'high risk' for?  Cardiovascular issues, i.e., stroke or heart attack.  The next stage is a blood clot.  If what I see is right, whatever this inflammation is in my body is filling up my arteries.  So I googled.  And Dr. Google says that the specialist needed for inflammation in the body is a Rheumatologist.  This brings up thoughts of my older sister who had Rheumatoid Arthritis for several years.  I refuse to be in that condition.  

Dr. Mark's office called me as they also had gotten the results of my blood work (not the HS-CRP though cause I ordered it, he did not).  They wanted to schedule my well physical and asked about scheduling me, and Tom right after me for his medical check-up.  I said that was fine.  Then I mentioned to Lily that I needed to talk to Dr. Mark about the HS-CRP testing.  Did I need a separate appointment to do that or could I discuss during my physical.  She said she'd ask and call me back.  Here is where it is going into a place I haven't been before.

Dr. Mark said that he is a family medicine doctor, which means he takes care of general maladies for people (mostly old people from what I've seen in his office).  Any other needs he sends to a specialist.  He hasn't read up on HS-CRP for several years as he doesn't do that testing, and many doctors don't anymore.  So... we left it that when I have my physical, Dr. Mark and I will discuss the test results and he will refer me to a specialist.  I have mixed emotions about that. But that leads me to this verse that popped into my head.

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV):  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

As you know, I frequently quote that verse to others.  Do not be anxious; do not worry.  Trust God.  And then, here I am once again.  Am I worried?  No, I can't say that I am.  But I feel a bit of 'anxious' in my soul.  What do I mean by that?  I am in no way immune to things happening to me personally, or to my family just because I love Jesus and choose Him about this world.  I know that I am loved by God.  And I am sure that you understand this statement.... When one is out of control with things happening within their own body, and no understanding of what to do to remove it, there is some angst as to what to do.  So I have pondered what to do 'in the meantime'.  

I think buying three new packages of Oreo cookies yesterday probably is not the right answer.  But I saw they had Banana Pudding (which is awesome, by the way; right up there with the Apple Pie a la mode), Deep Fried (deep fried what?  It smells deep fried; not so sure about trying that one) and Chicken and Waffles (seriously, this one smells like waffles with pancake syrup all over it!).  I plan on giving the majority of those away for others to 'try this'.  But I know I will have a few more of that Banana Pudding one - it is good.  But then, there is this inflammation I need to focus on.

The Mediterranean Diet that I keep meaning to stick to has kind of fallen by the wayside.  It's easier when people take care of me, not me having to figure it out and choosing correctly what to eat. More fruits and vegetables, and a lot less processed food I'm sure is in it.  I do have an inflammatory cookbook or two and I do need to look into those.  This diet is one to reduce inflammation and I have a feeling I will be focusing on it a lot.  What is this diet?  Think to what possibly Jesus and His disciples ate.  Not a lot of red meat, for sure.  I don't do that anyway.  No greasy french fries.  That might be a hard one.  Grapes yes. Nuts yes.  Maybe I will actually bake those homemade breads I keep wishing I would take the time to do.  Less preservatives and more wholesome food.  Right?  I need to start doing what I think is the right thing to do, and then see what the specialist has to say.  I do not want to be on a bunch of medications if I don't need to.  I'm hoping we will start with a strong antibiotic and see what it will do.  Hey, maybe I'll get something that will cause me to lose weight!

On another note, I got a package from my sister yesterday.  Still scratching my head on a couple things. What did I get?  A copper bracelet that she had ordered for my birthday and it came after she had sent my birthday package.  Very nice.  And two 16x20 paint by number projects.  One is a reindeer (because she thought it was so cute) and the other is a scene of a rocking chair on the porch overlooking the ocean and sky (which I really do like).  I asked (perhaps I shouldn't have) if she had bought these for herself and then decided that she wasn't going to do them and sent to me.... we do that, ya know.  I do it, she has done it.  But, she said no, that she had specifically bought them for me, but that they arrived after my birthday.  I then just had to ask 'why'?  No real answer.  She told me I could send them back if I didn't want them. Sigh. We don't send gifts back unless need to.  I reminded her that I do have an easel but I will not be doing these before Christmas.  They take a long time to do and 1) I don't have the time right now, and 2) the holidays are coming up quickly and I start decorating in November.  I will keep them, but may end up waiting until I retire... whenever that will be.

Today is a somewhat busy day.  I need to jump in the shower this morning early cause I have an 8:30a chiropractor appointment - and then of course my 10:30a with Morgan.  Seems like I have something later, but don't remember what it is. Maybe not. Maybe hubby's appointments that I need to be aware of are running together with mine in my mind.  

I talked with another EA yesterday (who supports one of the big bosses that I now report to due to Sue leaving) and we had a lot of laughs about the board meetings - and she agrees, the EA who supports the new leader of that board meeting should also take over the minutes of that board meeting.  That means I can get rid of one of the board meetings.  That leaves me with two - lol - which, ironically this EA supports one of the new leaders - but I will keep that meeting as she is extremely busy with TWO top leaders and currently, I have no leaders to speak of.  Getting rid of one makes me happy.  Two would make me extremely happy, but 'it is what it is' and I'm happy. LOL

Last night, in reading one of my books, it talks about giving up MY will, for God's will.  It's easy to say it - Lord, I lay down my will, and surrender to Your will - but doing it takes focused application.  But I did say it, and I did mean it.  So whatever His will is for me..... that I will follow.  He has never promised us a perfect life if we follow Him.  He promised He would be with us through this life.  I am counting on it.

Have an amazing day - and be kind.  Some things are 'hidden' and cannot be seen with the naked eye.  Always be kind to others, and pray for others, that they may feel the love of Jesus with them.

Blessings!