Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Good news

Dr. Whitehead
I wasn't kidding when I said my new doctor looks fourteen, don't you think? And what a lucky gal I am, that I like him so much. He's smart, has a sense of humor and gave me a very thorough examination, asked all the right questions. I found out that he is actually 36. The older I get, the younger that seems, but he's very competent and likable.

The PeaceHealth Medical Group is also located in a bright and cheerful building, unlike the Center for Senior Health where I have been going for the past three years. It helps to have people of all ages in the waiting room, rather than everyone elderly like me!

We discussed my family history of heart disease and my cholesterol numbers. He was able to see the results from the past three checkups, as well as last Friday's numbers, which had increased since last year. I was all ready for him to tell me that I would need to take a stronger dose of statins, but no, he said the numbers were elevated a little from last year but not enough to cause much concern. I was flabbergasted. Although my numbers are higher, my good-to-bad cholesterol ratio puts me in the category of one-half normal risk for heart disease. It turns out that the culprit is likely to be the ten pounds I have gained since my last checkup, and he assured me that if I would lose them, I wouldn't need any further medication. That will give me incentive to lose the weight. I hope, anyway.

He does want to see what shape my coronary arteries are in, so I will have an ultrasound on Tuesday of the carotid arteries in my neck. He said that what the ultrasound shows for the carotids will give him a good indication of the condition of my coronary arteries. Sounds good to me, and it's the first time anyone has suggested this test. My son died at 40 of coronary artery disease, my father at 62, and my mother at 69. So he isn't taking this lightly, and I appreciate this thoroughness.

I knew I had gained weight; I was not thrilled about being weighed and never step on the scales when I know they will not show me good news, but I was surprised at how much more I weigh than I did last year. I am right at the cusp of overweight on the BMI (body mass index), at 24.8. If you want to figure your own, here is a good link to check out. It not only helps you figure it out, but it also tells you where you are in relation to others of your age and gender. I'm in the 25th percentile for women my age (meaning that three-quarters of others have a higher BMI than I do). That's heartening.
Here's a picture of the soup I had for lunch today, filled with kale, miso, tofu, some beans and some leftover forbidden rice. I learned about this rice from Arkansas Patti on The New Sixty. Smart Guy read about it and I came home to see this weird black stuff on the kitchen counter. Trust me, it's my latest favorite thing! Hoping that I will be able to lose these pounds, I am happily eating more soup and eating smaller portions. I'll let you know how I'm doing and can use any tips that my faithful readers might have. Getting enough exercise is not my problem, obviously.
:-)

27 comments:

  1. Soups are a delight for me. Yours looks very exotic and nutritious. What are those black morsels?

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  2. I wish I had your BMI!

    Wonderful news that you like your new doc.

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  3. That doctor looks fine, just so long as you don't have to present with hemorrhoids or something similar!
    Your soup looks delicious. Don't go too mad on the diet. You have to have some pleasures when you get as old as you are (giggle). Only kidding.

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  4. Isn't it wonderful when you find a doctor you really like and also like his office situation? It makes a world of difference.

    I wish you good results on your carotid artery test. That would really be good.

    I have no doubt you'll get that 10 pounds off long before you see him again.

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  5. He looks way older the fourteen. It sounds like he will take good care of you..muscle weighs more than fat DJan..as active as you are you still need to fuel that body, especially days you hike..so don't be getting "too scotch" with the food ( end of lecture) :)

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  6. Liking your doc is important. His listening to you and taking your history seriously is even more important. It sounds like a very good situation.
    I don't think I'll be figuring out my BMI, thanks anyway, since I already know I'm obese, and I'm not doing so well on the weight loss. I did just get back from a vigorous walk, however. I guess I'm one of those 75% ahead of you.

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  7. He does look very young.

    I wonder how much he got kidded about his name?

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  8. Life is good! You didn't mention your high level of physical activity....that counts for a lot.
    Wish I could find a new Doc. My guy is 70. I've been with him for so long I hate to ditch him. So two old guys (him and me) bungle along.

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  9. I'm with you. He looks 14. But form your description, he's a wise 14!

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  10. So, given that he has dark hair, how did he get a name like that? He sounds competent, and I am glad you like him as well as the environment.

    Good luck with the test on your arteries!

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  11. That is a good report. I am so glad that you found a doctor that cares, listens, and acts. I think you are good hands.

    I am surprised at your BMI because you are so active. Those ten pounds will do it to you.

    I think you have a good plan. I also am trying to get some weight off. It is such a struggle.

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  12. What I want to know is how in the world did you gain ten pounds with all of the hiking and other things that you do?? You are who I look up to in the health department!

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  13. well the news is certainly as good as your soup looks...smiles.

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  14. I second what Nancy said... With all that hiking I am sure it is just muscle!

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  15. You're so physically active, I can't see your weight gain being anything but muscle. But I'm glad you have a doctor you like, and who is not taking any chances with you.

    I'm so sorry that you lost your son. I can't imagine that pain. Hugs to you.

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  16. D-jan,That soup looks healthy.Eating fish,veggies,also help lose weight...although I can't believe you've gained any.

    Have a wonderful year.

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  17. I avoid good looking doctors like the plague...they unnerve me....

    Do you think you gained musscle mass not weight? I have an echo cardiogram every two years for build up. Fairly interesting as the last time I had a cholesteral check I was over the three hundred mark and no one can understand why I am still walking around. I won't take those drugs. Lot of people I knnow have had serious side effects. Figure my body is equalizing somehow as it does with weight. Wouldn't recommend this course of action (or non action) for anyone else, it's simply peculiar to me I guess, as they do the neck arteries too.

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  18. I just love all the wonderful "muscle not fat" comments on here, and perhaps I have gained some muscle since I have started doing full body pushups and whatnot, but unless that distinctive tire that is no longer "flat" is muscle, well then I can tell you that's where it is, and where I intend to lose it! But you have all made my day, let me tell you! :-)

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  19. This is going to be the new fact, our doctors are going to be younger than us because the people our age have retired. The only advantage I can see is that we may have more control over these youngsters in managing our own medical care.

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  20. So glad to hear the good news. And I agree, he does look 14. I know you must feel relieved. I have to also say that with all your exercise I wouldn't think you would have that much weight to lose. But eating healthy is never a bad idea. Now good luck with the ultrasound. I'm sure that should show a good result, too.

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  21. I'm so glad you liked him. It's really important, considering your family history, that he listened to you and is taking this seriously. How wonderful that he doesn't think you need to increase your meds.

    The soup looks wonderful. I can't really help in that department since this time of year I tend to like thick vegetable soups full of things like beans and barley. I used the link (thank you for that) and am comforted by my BMI as I'm still trying to take off pregnancy weight. I've lost and gained the same 4 pounds since Thanksgiving. Winter is such a tough time to lose weight. Between the dark and the cold I simply want to curl up with comfort food. I have no doubt you'll find a way to lose those 10 pounds (though perhaps some of it can be attributed to muscle gain).

    I'm really happy that your appointment went well.

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  22. DJan, when I saw your doctor's photo the first thing that popped into my mind was Doogie Howser, MD. Do you remember that show? It sounds like your new doctor knows his stuff.

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  23. So relieved and happy you like your new doc. I find it makes my life so much less stressful to have a doc I trust and who will work with me and understand I want to have an active say so in my treatment.

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  24. My doctor is my age so I am sure at some point I will have to find a younger one. Glad you really like yours. He sounds like he is really going to take care of you.

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  25. It is not easy to find a doctor you like these days and one who will take your insurance so it’s great that you were successful. Your soup looks good and when we come back from our trip I’ll try to make soups like this as I do need to shed some weight. I too think that with all the walking and exercise your do most of your gain could be muscle weight. I’ll try that forbidden rice. Did you find your soup recipe in a cookbook or made it up yourself?

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  26. That forbidden rice looks interesting, we will have to try it out. We usually just eat Quinoa in place of rice around here.

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