We left the house around 11a, and didn't get home until about 4:30p Yeah - a very long afternoon, but also very interesting. I 'love' Dr. Mark. It doesn't matter who the patient is, he gives them his undivided attention until everything is discussed. My appointment was at noon; I didn't get 'in' until about 12:45p. No biggie, I knew I would get the same undivided attention as the patient who was with him got. So... I had the EKG, a 'blow' test (don't know what they call it), got my flu shot, got a few other 'exams' and then we sat down to discuss my blood workup, etc. I didn't get a comprehensive blood test done, just my TSH and T4 as both were out of whack the last time. Both were back in the good range. We discussed my leg pain I had had. It was getting so bad I nearly woke hubby to take me to the ER. And then I told him - "don't laugh - but this took care of it!" I got a copper bottle (from Ayeruda) and started drinking a glass of water from this copper bottle each morning before my coffee. I am serious. After months of intensive pain in my legs every single night - the pain has disappeared from the very first glass. I sleep through the night (unless God wakes me up to pray) (or I have to go down the hall) without pain. He just looked at me and kind of smiled/shook his head. Whatever works! We discussed the pain I had and he said it sounds more like neuropathy as that is how people describe the pain - but if I am not in pain anymore, let's move on. And we did. He spent an hour with me, and we talked about my medication. This is where I may get some feedback from others..... but I told him I did not want to take the Fosamax anymore. It sometimes causes my legs to ache 2-3 days after taking it. Yes, it is a side effect. But the one thing I shared was that I have been terrified these five years I have been taking it - one side affect is that I could be walking down the street and my thigh will break. (What Fosamax does is build a sheath around the bone; it doesn't strengthen the bone). He acknowledge my fear and said that is usually a 'spiral break' when it happens, and we discussed it. But what got me was his comment, when I asked if I could stop taking it. He said,
"This is America - you can do whatever you want to with your medication. I will not force you to take anything; it is your choice!" Hot dog! We discussed my last bone density two years ago showed my risk factor of falling and breaking had gone from 2.0 to 2.2 (big deal). I just can't get over how people have lived for years without breaking bones without taking all this medication - Fosamax, Bovia, Prolia, Reclast, etc. My brother had osteoporosis (now better at osteopenia, which I have). He has gone the route of Fosamax (from which he developed Barrett's Esophagus and has those issues now), Reclast (infusion) and he now does Prolia. My daughter is on Prolia. My sister is on Prolia. I'm the one resisting it all! Am I wrong? I strength train twice a week. I can increase my training with working out here at home. The more I move, the stronger my bones and the muscles around them will be. So if I fall and break a bone - so be it! I don't want to deal with side effects that I don't 'have' to. It's not a life-threatening disease, if you know what I mean. So I'm not going to take Fosamax anymore. I'm going to continue to strengthen my bones. I did tell Dr. Mark that I have a bone density test this year (after 5 years on Fosmax, and if it shows my bones still are deteriorating, it proves Fosamax isn't helping), and in two years I can get another one - if it is going to where I will be disabled, then we will look at Prolia or something else that would be created in that time. Right or wrong, I am happy it is 'my body, my choice'. It's a drug. It hasn't made my bones better. I feel by working out I can continue to strengthen my body. If I fall and break something - I'll deal with it.
It's like the shingles shot. It is MY choice whether or not to take it. I don't know anyone who has opted out of taking it - but I have. Yes, I know it is extremely painful. Yes, I know it can get in the eyes or any other place on the body (my cousin had it in the eyes and forehead; my sister had on her face as well) but I will take my chances. It doesn't PREVENT you from getting it; it only is to make it 'not as bad'. So how bad is bad in each individual? I refuse the shingles shot. I did get the pneumonia shot as I've had it numerous times. But, I don't need to get them anymore; I've had the powerful one. :-)
All in all; I got a script to go back to SQL to get a comprehensive blood work-up done. He sure has marked a lot of things on that sheet! And that's ok. I'll get it scheduled for early next week and then I go back to see Dr. Mark on September 28th and will get his thoughts on the results. I'm anticipating good results. For now, I'm doing the happy dance I have a choice over what I am prescribed. I trust Dr. Mark, and if he is letting me make this choice, then it isn't really critical. Right?
Oh - with the HS-CRP test that showed in critical range? He explained it to me - physicians don't go by Lifeline Screening tests as the testing is different. The CRP is cardio - and no, I don't have cardio issues. Most doctors don't even screen for it, unless there are heart issues. It's not inflammation of the heart in my case; but he said if I had a bruise, or worked out before the test (which I did) or bumped into something, my body would react with inflammation in that area. He really took the time to explain it to me. All in all; don't worry about the test; it isn't saying what I thought it was - the testing is different than what the doctors would request and read from.
Hubby came in after me, and of course I have to stay in there. I find it amusing that most of the time when Dr. Mark is giving hubby instructions, he is looking at me - to which hubby also looks at me. So I'm the one asking the questions and clarifying things. I honestly don't know why he doesn't look all the time at hubby; he is the one who needs to understand it. I refuse to baby sit him. He's a big boy. He knows what medications he needs to take; he knows when to take them. Nothing has changed. Just do it. Right? LOL All in all - he's fine. Used his walker for the third time. I wonder if he got his flu shot; we all may have forgotten.
Today I have taken the day off work because I need to take hubby to the dermatologist to have a basil cell removed on his forehead. He must be first as his appointment is at 7:15a - so we need to leave in another hour. Hopefully it won't take long and I will have the rest of the day to do things. I do have a 2;30p hair appointment so at least will have some time (alone) for me. I won't get back home until about 5p I'm thinking. I'm starting to look like those monkeys that have the white all around their face. Don't laugh! It isn't quite that bad, but I notice it so it's 'time' to do something about it. ;-)
So now you know all about my medical.... I probably shouldn't list all that on here... but it is what is on my mind this morning. My apology if you don't want to hear it. This is my life; or part of it anyway.
I sent a note the other day to the other two couples who were in our bible study, asking them if they wanted to continue or dissolve completely. I am somewhat surprised that I have not heard back from either couple. Was it too soon for me to step in and say I want to lead the group? I didn't put our previous leaders on the text as, after all, they resigned.... should I have? I'm leaving it alone. If they don't respond - then we can find another group. It's just odd that neither have responded. Are they talking to each other? Is my inferiority complex kicking in? Are they praying about it? Are they too wrapped up in the medical conditions of their loved ones that they can't respond? I know what I feel I am called to do - and that is to teach and preach. I'm letting God lead. I put it 'out there'; now it's out of my hands.
I John 4:16 (ESV) So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Do you know and believe that God loves you so much, that He chooses to abide, to live, within you? In all you do, if you are a Believer, know that God is with you, that He loves you, that He walks with you. There is no greater love than His.
And... I need to get off here and get dressed. Maybe I'll skim through and delete some things... I mainly put it here cause I know at times my kids read in here and it lets them know "I'm ok". And I am. Like the song says.... "I've been washed in the water, washed in the blood, I'm as good as new, O Hallelujah! I'm FREE!!
Have an amazing day!
Blessings!
