THE Check up

So I had my health insurance check up this past week...oh joy! The typical things like weight, cholesterol, glucose levels, tobacco use (or non-use in my case) and what I need to do to improve my health.

Hopefully this year I didn't scare them enough that they will assign me a "Health Coach" again this year.

The thing that cracks me up is that even after losing 100 pounds they still consider me to be "morbidly obese" by their little charts. Because I only have lost 12 pounds in the last year they are a little concerned. Here is the catch though...in that same time frame I have lost 8 inches off my waist and brought down my BMI by 7 points. I point this out and they seem to be happier. I explain that I have been exercising more and that I am becoming more defined with muscles...

Oh! Yes they agree!

My thinking on this is:

1. He is supposed to be the "Health Professional".
2. He had the same numbers in front of him that I was looking at.
3. He is a RN and I am a regular gal just trying to get healthier.

Why was I the one who pointed out these differences? He was the individual that is in charge of advising me about my health for the 20 minutes we are together and I was the one interpreting the numbers to him?!?

This may be part of the issue with the current health care crisis. Which is why I have always taken it upon myself to learn as much about my own health as possible.

Learn about any conditions you may have and take responsibility for your own health because you may be the only one paying attention.

I will get off my soapbox now...

I guess I should feel sad?

Once upon a time I posted this little rant about Michael Jackson.

And now today I find out he has died.

I didn't like the guy. I thought he was a pervert and should have been listed on an offender registry.

On one hand my thought was, "Good he can't hurt any more little children!"

On the other hand the man changed music and dance forever by what he did in his professional life.

On the other hand (no one is counting them right?) I thought, "Dang Satan won another one!"

Now I do not profess to know what his faith was or even have any kind of knowledge about his relationship with God but looking at how he lived his life I would venture a guess that it was not a close intimate relationship.

This saddens me. Not because of who he is but because of the awesomeness Michael missed out on in a relationship with God.

Not to forget that Ed McMahon passed away this week and Farrah Faucett as well.

But because of the big wacky life Jackson lived those deaths are overshadowed by the rehashing of the molestation trials, the payoffs and the oddities of his life.

Nonetheless he had lupus and that does hit a little too close to home for me.

A great explanation of the disease I have!

Fun with neighbors....

Well the snow hit with a resounding THUD outside in the yard! I measured around 5 inches I think but it was difficult to tell because it had blown around the yard quite a bit before I made it out with the snowblower.

The snowblower we have is a MONSTER! It is a 7.5 HP red beast that weighs at least 1000lbs! I am just happy that it has all the bells and whistles like the electric starter, self propelled with huge wheels to tear right through any mound ahead of me however...

My arms and legs are killing me today!

After a neighbor helped me with the electric starter (I didn't have a cord long enough) and had a good laugh at why we needed one this big I was on my way. It only took about 45 minutes to snow blow the driveway, sidewalks and a spot in the yard for my sis to park so the snowplows could go through without burying her car. I was exhausted!! I have to be careful in colder weather because it becomes more difficult for me to breathe and coldness ups my risk of blood clots for some reason. Sometimes I don't realize how limited I am by the APS until I go to do something everyone else can do and almost kill myself in the effort. It doesn't stop me from trying but I have to be very aware of my limits.

Are you ready for the funny part?

The garage is not attached to the house so therefore I took my keys out with me to unlock the garage to have access to the Monster.

No Problem!

When I was ready to come back in the house I went toward the door and out of habit reached in my pocket for my keys. Exhausted and out of breath I can't find them...hmmmm.

The house is unlocked but I know that the keys are outside somewhere. I go get the spare key to the garage and look but don't find them inside. I got the spare car key to check inside where I grabbed my gloves.

Nope.

I begin to walk around where I have used the snowblower. Nope.

I begin to fear that they have fallen out and I have run over them sending them flying into the piles of snow I have made.

This is one of those times I am very thankful that I have BIG bright key chains on it!

Well they apparently they did go through the Monster of a snowblower as I eventually found them in the middle of the yard where I had not walked.

Another. 45. minutes. later.

I was afraid to pick them up and see what mangled mess would be left...

Amazingly there are only a few small scratches on the remote for the car and so far all of the keys I have tried work well.

Now today I need to tackle the car and getting that cleaned off....

Michael Jackson has Lupus?

Oh good grief! Say it isn't so!

According to published reports, some of which actually cite the Lupus foundation, good old Wacko Jacko has Lupus.

What is Lupus? Click here. Or here.

The disease I have is called Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.
The thing in my blood is called Lupus Anticoagulant.
They are closely related, but not exactly the same. A lot of the research overlaps.



I do NOT want this person to become the spokesman for MY disease!

People already have a hard time believing that Lupus is a real disease and now we have one of the most famous lunatics in modern history representing us.

Great.

I am hard pressed to think of a worse spokesman...

Post # 600

It has been just over 5 years since I have had a drink.

I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant about 2 weeks after a Bachelorette party for a friend..where I had been drinking. That was the twins. I lost them a month later and 7 weeks later. Of course I blamed the drinks I had for the reason I miscarried them. Now I know better but then it was different.

I also have always had a problem with stopping at 1 or 2 drinks...therefore I just don't drink. I used to drink 2 entire bottles of cheap wine without really phasing me much. It usually took the better part of a fifth of anything to have any effect. But I never really stopped until a friend took me home or I passed out.

Therefore I just don't drink.

Well until today.

On my way home I stopped to get a gallon of milk and saw those cute little bottles of White Russians.

I bought a 4 pack.

I will not be purchasing anymore. Nothing has changed. I was well through the third bottle before I stopped to think about it.

But hey it is my 600th post today so why not celebrate and thin the blood a little while I am at it!

Be warned...Whining coming

After tying almost 300 balloon yesterday and then helping my little clown prodigies turn them into animals I could care less at this point if I ever see another balloon EVER again.

My fingers hurt.

My uterus hurts. Yes you guessed it PMS has struck and I am feeling evil today.

This however did bring a slight smile to my face:




13 things that PMS stands for:


1. Pass My Shotgun
2. Psychotic Mood Shift
3. Perpetual Munching Spree
4. Puffy Mid-Section
5. People Make me Sick
6. Provide Me with Sweets
7. Pardon My Sobbing
8. Pimples May Surface
9. Pass My Sweatpants
10. Pissy Mood Syndrome
11. Plainly; Men Suck
12. Pack My Stuff
13. Potential Murder Suspect

As always the little APS thing has made this an interesting weekend.

APS- the best explanation I've heard yet

This is by far the best explanation I've heard yet. It is easier to understand than all the doctor lingo I usually hear.

It is just over 6 minutes but well worth the time to understand this disease.