6 Month Check Up

Today was the day I was to find out if some or any of this stuff I have been doing has had any effect. I had been trying to get to see my PCP (Dr. P) for three days but was unsuccessful in getting an appointment. On the second attempt the receptionist told my why. Dr P is P - as in pregnant! Way to go Dr. P! Today I managed to get in to see her.

I arrived at the appointed time and was soon inside the exam room. The assistant took weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature and went over my meds most efficiently. My B/P was ok but not as low as it has been, I was a little nervous about this visit. My resting pulse rate was 67, woa. Now that's good for me. 1 for 2 then in my eyes. Dr P entered the room. After exchanging pleasantries (and congratulations) we got down to business. did I get my last set of labs as they had no record of results? I had. I remembered the phlebotomist had dropped a glove when I entered the room and had put it on. I had asked her to change gloves, after she had rewashed her hands. That did not go down well. (I have never understood this. Where I work we ENCOURAGE patients to do this if they feel uncomfortable in any way.I have even stopped minor procedures and scrapped all of the equipment if I felt I had broken a sterile field. All this had been was a blood draw. People take patient safety issues WAY too personally) Any way, the practice has a rapid HbA1C (HgA1C) machine so a finger stick drop of blood was sent to be tested.

The results were a little disappointing. My initial had been 6.7, then 6.3 now 7.3. That equates to an average BGL of 163. Hippo now makes a sad face. At that point in the proceedings I felt I had not done very well at all. I did though wonder what I would have been like if I had NOT done any of the work I have accomplished. What would things have looked like then. Ok, so a small bright spot. Still, not a Happy Hippo.

Dr. P and I discussed the options. I chose to increase my medication regimen and I solemnly promised to be far better at what I was eating. I did venture that eating whatever was around at work on the basis of I am so damn busy running between patient rooms was probably not as valid as I was kidding myself it was. Dr. P agreed and suggested a tighter regimen. She did however volunteer that taking the med change was probably the best course. This is why I like this PCP, she gives you the info but lets you make the decision. Power to the Patients!

So, here I am. Somewhat unhappy yet resolved and determined to carry on. Dr. P was impressed at the progress. She does see some measurable changes such as the resting heart rate and the blood pressure. The message I left with was: keep up the good start. Thanks Dr. P. Good luck in the upcomming weeks.

Like many a race, this event is not a sprint. It's an endurance event. I'll go back in 3 months to see if I have made headway.