Saturday, March 11, 2017

Getting better all the t-i-m-e

Three old farts reading the news
Our barista took this picture of us this morning, at my behest. I stayed away from the Saturday morning walk for two reasons: first, my hip is better but not great, and second, I caught a cold that has kept me home for two days. This morning I'm resisting taking any cold medicines so I can be sure that I'm actually on the mend. Who can tell with drugs running through your system?

I have been doing the exercises suggested by the physical therapist on Thursday. I know some of my readers think I should have gone to the doctor for a "real" diagnosis of my hip problem, but last year when my knee went out on me and I followed that route, I learned only one thing: medical doctors are the LAST ones you want to see with an overuse injury. They took x-rays and looked at them and said, "huh." Nothing showed up, and I knew it would be the same with this hip problem. And all by itself it started to get better, even before the physical therapist, but I know what I can do and what I can't. Walking fast is the most difficult movement (that's what the ladies do), and with it being so sore, I didn't want to stress it with a hike all day long on Thursdays. But this coming Thursday, I'm going to join the Senior Trailblazers, if all continues to improve as it is right now.

After the coffee shop, I decided to try a short walk by myself and see how it went. One thing that Dr. Ed said was to listen to what's going on in my body and pay attention, back off if it hurts and push it a little bit otherwise. So I walked along Boulevard Park for a couple miles and then took the bus back to my car. It was a very successful outing, and I then came home and used the foam roller I ordered from Amazon to work out my hip. He told me to be sure to do the same thing on both sides, and when they are equal in sensation, my hip should be the way it was before the incident two weeks ago. (It feels like it was longer ago than that, but it wasn't. Just two weeks.)

On Thursday morning I went to have my blood drawn in anticipation of my annual doctor's appointment coming up this Wednesday. Because of being able to see the results online through the hospital's  medical records, I see that my results are rather exciting: my total cholesterol is now below 200 (198), and my "good" cholesterol is 84. Another amazing thing is that my triglycerides are 39! That's down from 75 last year. Anything under 100 is good. I was really surprised at the drop. So the family problem of high cholesterol seems to be under control, with exercise and statins. It gave me quite a boost and I resisted sending the results right away to my sister. We are a little bit competitive in this regard, but I know she'll read it here. Yay for good numbers and healing hips!
:-)

20 comments:

  1. I agree about avoiding cold medicine. Sometimes the side effects of the cold medicine are worse than the "cure".

    Sounds like you are doing everything right and that your hip is on the road to recovery. Congrats on the excellent blood work!

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  2. Congratulations on your good numbers. I know that your hip will heal just fine and you will be back on the trail soon. Like you, I see no need in bothering a doctor unless on one's deathbed.

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  3. Yay is right. Great news. Your physiotherapist is a great!

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  4. I'm continuing to send you well-wishes DJan, may your hip pain and knee pain continue, to improve so that you are able to get back on the trail....
    Congratulations on the bloodwork numbers, I hope the cold goes quickly !
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  5. Great results on your bloodwork. Yea!!
    I hope that you continue to feel better (hip and that cold)....
    Take care of you.
    Hugs,
    J.

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  6. The first thing doctors do is Xray, the first thing physiotherapist do is ask you about muscles. They can tell right away where your problem is.

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  7. I am beyond thrilled that your hip is getting better. And super impressed at your blood test results. Yay you.
    Now to kick that cold to the curb...

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  8. I really like that picture of the three of you, engrossed in the news. We do the same thing here but at home. Larry likes to read the news on the Ipad and Jim in the newspaper and me on the television. It's the same news however, just presented a little differently. Over here in England we are saturated with the latest doings of Donald Trump and the move towards triggering Article 50 so we can get on with Brexit.
    I hope your hip heals soon.

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  9. I think I could fit right in with those three old geezers.

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  10. Glad things are starting to heal up, and congrats on your numbers!

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  11. Awesome numbers. Love the pic. Sounds like your body is quite nicely on the mend and you'll be back out hiking soon. Nice to hear all of it. :)

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  12. That HDL number is great. I'm sure all the exercise you do gets some of the credit. Don't ya love being able to view your results on line? Hope your hike goes well on Thursday. I'm glad he told you not to push past pain.

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  13. Those statins can be dangerous tho...to your liver, so be careful of the dosage, work with your physician on regulating that 'cause if you get too much, eventually liver problems...I'd rather have elevated cholesterol [mine was 184 thanks to exercise and diet now that I am off statins] So...good there.

    And I agree, when it comes to muscles and tendons and even bone alignment, therapist are better than general practitioners!! You did good.

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  14. Great news on your blood work numbers and on your hip. Keep up the good work! Whatever you are doing is working great.

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  15. You're a true sadge, DJan. Give me the big picture on my terms and I'll listen. But the voice of my body dictates.

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  16. I have no idea what the rusty heap is. (Shown below) Good luck with that pesky hip. It has served you well so far! I hate it when things stop working. But I guess it is a lesson to appreciate things when they are running smooth. Right now I can't hear or smell because of a cold. Plus, I have other parts that are not what they used to be. Unfortunately, they won't go away like a cold does.

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  17. 39? 39? I didn't even know it could go down that low. About 15 years ago, my triglycerides was 488. My doctor freaked out. It's still high, but more in control, more or less, but my doctor still gets nervous. 39 is a dream for me.

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  18. And I'm so glad you're being careful with your hip and not pushing yourself before it's ready.

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