9.3

it's been a long time since i've chatted with you. so many of my days are identical - kinda like groundhog day. the movie. not the day.

it's the holiday weekend and i don't have any plans. the kids are moving into their new house so i'll make myself available for that - but nothing else official.

on a good note, i really like my new primary care nurse practitioner. not too far away, has  good availability, and with the exception of one visit, she has been on time for the appointment. you know how everyone hates having to wait an extraordinarily long amount of time after the scheduled time. did that last sentence make sense? i'm kinda sleepy.

since we were doing a new patient intake i had to have my blood drawn and all those lovely tests ran. first, she drew my blood. and here's the deal. i have horrible veins. therefore, i begin every blood draw conversation, "i have horrible veins. if you use a baby needle you can get it from my hand". now most techs ignore me and check both arms. maybe even twice before they succumb to my suggestion and draw from my hand.

not this lady. she did check one arm for a moment and then moved straight onto my hand. first time in - barely any bruising. that's the way i like it.

blood results were good. i was concerned about my liver and kidneys. i've been on powerful pain meds for quite some time - add in that, yes, i do drink alcohol - - i was expecting a not so great report. however, my liver and kidneys are just fine, thank you very much. my cholesterol is a wee bit off.

here's what is extra special for me. this lady is a big believer in checking hormones and vitamin levels, thyroid, etc. fine tooth comb kinda girl. now i thought that since i've been in menopause for quite some time, that HRT was no longer an issue. but, oh, so, no, she says. apparently studies are now showing that a good hormone balance protects the heart and helps prevent breast cancer. i know that when i studied HRT 16 years ago the camp was divided on whether it was pro or con on breast cancer.

anywho, my vitamin d is low, my thyroid is low, and my hormone levels are wishy washy.  i'm going back on HRT (actually, part of it has already started), need to get some iodine, and i already have my high grade vitamin d. (current best way is if it is compounded with vitamins a and k). and something for my thyroid.

my understanding is that in about 4 weeks i should feel like a new woman. i'll let you know.

bye for now. have a safe weekend.