Thursday, May 17, 2007

Was disappointed to hear from the doctor that my stress test was inconclusive. One part indicated a reduced blood flow, the other a healthy flow. What we decided was to continue my regime of Crestor, exercise, and weight loss, then have another blood test in July. For those who can interpret such things, my overall cholesterol is 225, LDL (bad) 150, HDL (good) 49, and triglycerides 129.
As of yesterday, the forest fire near here has burned more than 14,000 acres. It had been about 6 miles away from us when I went to bed; we got calls and messages from nice people asking if we were okay. A long stretch of the Parkway was closed, as well as part of 539, which leads to Alison. I talked to her and we're hoping the road will be open by tomorrow night when she comes down to Dad-sit.
Went to the SB Players dress rehearsal, since I won't be here for the shows this weekend. I comprised the entire audience and greatly enjoyed it. I was touched by the welcome of the players and their saying they missed me, and so on.
But I'm still glad I dropped out.
My nephew, Tim, sent an e-mail with YTube of his son, Cal's, award-winning film, "Diggers." Cal's in high school and the film is really pretty good. He acts in it, too, putting on a British accent--and I think he was as good or better as what you see on T.V.
Weight Watchers this morning! I'll pick up Leslie and Jo (Mary called to say she couldn't go) and we'll see how it goes. Whether I lost, didn't, or gained (aagh!), I'm sticking to it. There was a book--or something--called The Heart Has Its Reasons and that's why I'm determined to lose weight.
Later, after my walk: The paper says the fire has now been contained, but they believe 18,000 acres were burned. A number of homes were lost and the people in them were scattered. The big-hearted USAF is saying it will compensate if their flare caused the damage. Nice of them.

4 comments:

iloveac said...

OK RBM you wanted me to comment on your Lipid Profile #s.
They are not too bad...but NOT where they need to be.
The LDL (bad cholesterol) is a major concern ...needs to be below 100. Your HDL (good cholesterol) is in the normal range, but needs to be higher to offset that bad LDL. GOOD triglyceride level. Total Cholesterol...not too bad, but needs to be below 200.

All of this is because you have another risk factor of Hypertension. Stress is also a biggee.

The HDL is very hard to raise. KEEP WALKING EVERYDAY....that's great that you do that.
You haven't been on the Crestor all that long..so don't get discouraged with these numbers...give it some more time.

Watch the foods with hidden saturated fats which elevate your Cholesterol...e.g.chocolate

You are on track....doing all the right things..stay there. If the doc doesn't suggest it....ask to have your lipid profile (that's the whole thing..Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides) re checked in 3 months. If it doesn't show enough improvement, he/she may want to put you on a different statin.
You are ahead of the game by not smoking. My understanding is that by now any bad effects to your heart from smoking are gone...your risk is the same as a non smoker by now....the lungs are different. Same story with me and other former smokers.

So glad you got all this while you are so young. Your mother lived to be 97 right, so you have good genes.

Thank God the fire is contained. Scary time.

Can you send me the link for Diggers...I couldn't find it at you tube and I'd like to watch it.

p.s.Perhaps you already do this...but the fast for lipid profile should be 12 -14 hours...not 8. Gives a more accurate reading.

EBJ said...

I agree with the above.
You are taking great steps forward.
In fact you are giving me incentive to do the same things.

Mimi said...

Thanks for the input, Pat. Actually, the blood test was done a few months ago and the numbers are what prompted the doctor to prescribe the Crestor. She does want me to get another blood test in 3 months (July) and I have the paper for it.
Betty--yeah! Get serious about it, although I bet your heart is stronger than mine. You've never been (proportionately) as heavy and although you've overindulged, I have the idea not as riotously as I did.

EBJ said...

What makes you think I overindulge? Could it be the 14000 calories I have each day?

Wednesday

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