Tough Day -- That's Okay...
I mentioned that my nurse practitioner (Leslie) phoned yesterday while Marilyn and I were 'out and about' during Sue's hair appointment. She insisted on going through ALL the damn lab numbers. Marilyn said after that we had made an appointment ESPECIALLY to discuss my current situation, and we didn't want to get into the rest of it.
I think she was trying to give me 'good news' before bad news -- it's ALL good news when you're dying to know what's going on! Just give me NEWS, can you?
I wish I'd been somewhere I could have made notes, but oh well. Cholesterol was HIGHER. Are you f-ing KIDDING ME?????? I've been almost totally vegetarian for months now! Certainly eating the best of my life. But the 'good' cholesterol was better. And my triglycerides were better. My A1C was 7.5, which is also better. Not perfect by any means, but better. I figured it had to be, as I'm pretty low much of the day when I test, and often very low, as well. And now I refuse to immediately pull it back up and spike, even if that strategy makes me miserable for hours...
She told me something weird about my blood being 'thick' (what???). Then dropped a bombshell that I have very high LEAD in my blood. She's referring me to a hematologist -- she mentioned three times not to 'freak out' because this would also be an oncologist. Apparently the two go hand in hand. She must have thought I'd jump to the conclusion that I had cancer. Me? I just want that referral to a specialist!
Finally, she said one of my pancreatic enzymes was normal. Then seemed forced to admit that another enzyme WAS high. She didn't say WHAT she wants to do about my pancreas, but 'Doctor Mur' (Marilyn) has scored again! I can't begin to list how often Marilyn does medical research and finds the correct prognosis! Those spots on my arms? Even with the pancreas issues Leslie was trying to say there was a different cause. They are what clued Marilyn in...
I've had pancreatic symptoms since around 2002. That's more than 15 years. Pancreatic problems can cause diabetes, which happened between then and now.
But if you look up high lead, it can cause many of the same issues as pancreatitis. WTF?
One article said that 40% of all people had toxic levels of lead. 40%??????? Are you kidding me? The only reason she found this was because she did such a wide range of blood tests. Clearly they don't normally check for lead.
How do you get it, I asked. She suggested my work place or the pipes in our house. Marilyn and I drink bottled water, and even make coffee with bottled water, so I find that unlikely, unless you can absorb it during showers or when washing in a sink.
However, when chatting about it with Kathy (my hairdresser doing Sue's hair), she mentioned sanding paint in her house. I did a TON of that in our last house. Tons and tons. It was a 1920's house. I never thought to wear a mask for the dust. But I can't really discover how long lead stays in the body. It can end up in organs and your bones. But it seems so random and wild. We made many jokes about licking window sill paint. Brother.
A reduced diet can be bad for people dealing with lead. Geez. Vitamin C helps, as does calcium (I've been eating far less cheese lately). And I'm low on iron and anemic, too. Really? Iron also helps with lead...
I have no clue what to think about all this. Just give me the referral, please!
Meanwhile, Marilyn had an awful day at work. Lately she's been hating her job. That sucks. All this extra work because of Jeff's new position with IFEA is ridiculous. She has more work than any one person can handle without adding to her workload. It's not fair.
Sister Sue is not cooperating with us about her health. She's not taking her pills which are essential to save her life. But at least her hair looks great! (smile) Kathy had been nervous at one point, but the color is perfect! And we love her cut.
I chatted with Sue several times today, anyway.
And I was doing work from here at home. Kris and I are going to meet next Wednesday about Barracuda, thank God! I really need this resolved.
Leftovers for dinner. We love Bong food. For me, that's noodles, rice and veggies.
Marilyn did the treadmill while I walked from the family room into Marilyn's bedroom and back again -- over and over. Marilyn is on a real mission and doing great. I've had a tough week with the pain and dizziness.
Sister Sue called tonight crying. I just can't go into it now. Maybe tomorrow. What a mess.
We have a funeral tomorrow...
Time to head to bed, anyway.
Don't worry -- Marilyn and I always manage to stay positive!
Sweet dreams, all!
I think she was trying to give me 'good news' before bad news -- it's ALL good news when you're dying to know what's going on! Just give me NEWS, can you?
I wish I'd been somewhere I could have made notes, but oh well. Cholesterol was HIGHER. Are you f-ing KIDDING ME?????? I've been almost totally vegetarian for months now! Certainly eating the best of my life. But the 'good' cholesterol was better. And my triglycerides were better. My A1C was 7.5, which is also better. Not perfect by any means, but better. I figured it had to be, as I'm pretty low much of the day when I test, and often very low, as well. And now I refuse to immediately pull it back up and spike, even if that strategy makes me miserable for hours...
She told me something weird about my blood being 'thick' (what???). Then dropped a bombshell that I have very high LEAD in my blood. She's referring me to a hematologist -- she mentioned three times not to 'freak out' because this would also be an oncologist. Apparently the two go hand in hand. She must have thought I'd jump to the conclusion that I had cancer. Me? I just want that referral to a specialist!
Finally, she said one of my pancreatic enzymes was normal. Then seemed forced to admit that another enzyme WAS high. She didn't say WHAT she wants to do about my pancreas, but 'Doctor Mur' (Marilyn) has scored again! I can't begin to list how often Marilyn does medical research and finds the correct prognosis! Those spots on my arms? Even with the pancreas issues Leslie was trying to say there was a different cause. They are what clued Marilyn in...
I've had pancreatic symptoms since around 2002. That's more than 15 years. Pancreatic problems can cause diabetes, which happened between then and now.
But if you look up high lead, it can cause many of the same issues as pancreatitis. WTF?
One article said that 40% of all people had toxic levels of lead. 40%??????? Are you kidding me? The only reason she found this was because she did such a wide range of blood tests. Clearly they don't normally check for lead.
How do you get it, I asked. She suggested my work place or the pipes in our house. Marilyn and I drink bottled water, and even make coffee with bottled water, so I find that unlikely, unless you can absorb it during showers or when washing in a sink.
However, when chatting about it with Kathy (my hairdresser doing Sue's hair), she mentioned sanding paint in her house. I did a TON of that in our last house. Tons and tons. It was a 1920's house. I never thought to wear a mask for the dust. But I can't really discover how long lead stays in the body. It can end up in organs and your bones. But it seems so random and wild. We made many jokes about licking window sill paint. Brother.
A reduced diet can be bad for people dealing with lead. Geez. Vitamin C helps, as does calcium (I've been eating far less cheese lately). And I'm low on iron and anemic, too. Really? Iron also helps with lead...
I have no clue what to think about all this. Just give me the referral, please!
Meanwhile, Marilyn had an awful day at work. Lately she's been hating her job. That sucks. All this extra work because of Jeff's new position with IFEA is ridiculous. She has more work than any one person can handle without adding to her workload. It's not fair.
Sister Sue is not cooperating with us about her health. She's not taking her pills which are essential to save her life. But at least her hair looks great! (smile) Kathy had been nervous at one point, but the color is perfect! And we love her cut.
I chatted with Sue several times today, anyway.
And I was doing work from here at home. Kris and I are going to meet next Wednesday about Barracuda, thank God! I really need this resolved.
Leftovers for dinner. We love Bong food. For me, that's noodles, rice and veggies.
Marilyn did the treadmill while I walked from the family room into Marilyn's bedroom and back again -- over and over. Marilyn is on a real mission and doing great. I've had a tough week with the pain and dizziness.
Sister Sue called tonight crying. I just can't go into it now. Maybe tomorrow. What a mess.
We have a funeral tomorrow...
Time to head to bed, anyway.
Don't worry -- Marilyn and I always manage to stay positive!
Sweet dreams, all!