Results Are Pouring In

Yesterday I had an early morning appointment with my endocrinologist. It all went well and he says that my diabetes is under good control. My blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose, weight, and general health were all declared to be in good condition. My blood work also seems to indicate good stuff overall. He then said that he would like to mention a couple of small things because my health was so good that he needed to talk about something. Why?

Anyway, he said that he wanted to check on the condition of my liver through some type of diagnostic test the next time that my blood is taken due to one of my current test numbers. He told me that although I am at the tail end of the baby boomer age limit, he wants to check for something along the line of Hepatitis C. I was given a lot of blood in the hospital after my accident and as a result he wants to have me checked. I then reminded him that my liver was lacerated during the accident and that my numbers may be off a bit as a result. He quietly acknowledged what I said and made a note for the test to be done anyway. Okey dokey.

He also spoke to me about cholesterol. My current level is fine and below the allowed limit, but he said that a person with diabetes needs to have great cholesterol numbers rather than just good cholesterol numbers. Huh? He gave me some things to look up on the internet and said that he would talk to me about it during my next visit in four months. May I describe to you the potential for that conversation now?

“Hey Lazarus, as a precaution against any problems with your cholesterol in the next ten years, I’d like to put you on a cholesterol fighting drug right now”.

“Um, yeah Doc, that’s not gonna happen.”

“But I’m your doctor and I’m trying to help you here.”

“Uh huh, and I’m the body owner here. No can do. I’ll take my chances on healthy living through diet and exercise as opposed to another pill filled with chemicals that cause side effects. We’ll talk about this again if and when my numbers actually justify meds”.

Still, I’m thankful that my health warranted superfluous conversation and deeper medical plowing. Hopefully nothing will come of it all and I’ll keep showing up to his office with good blood work results. I do like this doctor very much and I know that he is looking after my health and well-being. When I first came to him I had an A1C of 14.2 (look it up…dangerous stuff!). My A1C is now at about 5.9.

I’m truly thankful for my endocrinologist’s help and expertise, for God’s grace, and for another reminder that the motorcycle accident has yet to triumph. Diabetes was a surprise gift from the accident that I found roughly two and a half years after the event. At least I’m not bored, right?