Coffee Table Declarations
Thursday, November 04, 2004
When I went to the doctor two weeks ago, she assured me I was in good health and all of my tests would come back normal. Then much to my surprise, the results of my blood test showed high cholesterol. I mean really high - your total cholesterol is supposed to be under 200 and mine was 241. Last week, I bravely went for a second blood test. This time I didn't eat for 12 hours previous and I went bright and early before work to a lab where I had never been and knew none of the medical workers. Sitting in a chair with my sleeve rolled up, waiting for my turn, I saw a sign on the wall across from me that read, "Tell technician if you need to lie down for blood test." I was surprised. I knew my mom always had to lie down for blood tests but I didn't realize it was an actual thing that was so common as to require a sign. I knew I could handle it without lying down but it would've helped if the woman let me know when she was going to stick the needle in.
As I awaited the results of the second blood test, all kinds of things ran through my mind. Things ranging from being convinced the first test was some sort of fluke, to feeling depressed at the prospect of having to take medication to lower my cholesterol. I eat healthy, buying organic groceries and avoiding trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils and greasy foods. I didn't understand why I would have high cholesterol until I found out that it's really mostly determined by heredity and then I discovered that my mom has high cholesterol and takes medication for it.
I know there are many worse things to have than high cholesterol so I definately was able to put it in perspective. On the other hand, it really got to me, making me think about how it is a major contributor to heart disease. I started to think about getting older and realizing I'm not immortal and worrying about all sorts of health problems that affect people as they age, and the whole thing just made me sad. It was a turning point between feeling young and invincible, and realizing that we all succumb to age eventually. Not to be dramatic or anything.
The other day I got the results from my second test. My total cholesterol was 234 and bad cholesterol, which is supposed to be less than 100, was 165. In the comments section at the bottom of the page, my doctor had simply written, "cholesterol is elevated, please watch your diet and exercise." Wow thanks, that's helpful. What am I supposed to be eating or not eating and how am I supposed to know? Should I go back in six months to see if my cholesterol has gone down? And how the heck am I supposed to get motivated to go to the gym and exercise after a long day when it's already cold and dark by the time I leave work and the only thing I feel like doing is watching tv? Goodness, getting old sure is hard.
As I awaited the results of the second blood test, all kinds of things ran through my mind. Things ranging from being convinced the first test was some sort of fluke, to feeling depressed at the prospect of having to take medication to lower my cholesterol. I eat healthy, buying organic groceries and avoiding trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils and greasy foods. I didn't understand why I would have high cholesterol until I found out that it's really mostly determined by heredity and then I discovered that my mom has high cholesterol and takes medication for it.
I know there are many worse things to have than high cholesterol so I definately was able to put it in perspective. On the other hand, it really got to me, making me think about how it is a major contributor to heart disease. I started to think about getting older and realizing I'm not immortal and worrying about all sorts of health problems that affect people as they age, and the whole thing just made me sad. It was a turning point between feeling young and invincible, and realizing that we all succumb to age eventually. Not to be dramatic or anything.
The other day I got the results from my second test. My total cholesterol was 234 and bad cholesterol, which is supposed to be less than 100, was 165. In the comments section at the bottom of the page, my doctor had simply written, "cholesterol is elevated, please watch your diet and exercise." Wow thanks, that's helpful. What am I supposed to be eating or not eating and how am I supposed to know? Should I go back in six months to see if my cholesterol has gone down? And how the heck am I supposed to get motivated to go to the gym and exercise after a long day when it's already cold and dark by the time I leave work and the only thing I feel like doing is watching tv? Goodness, getting old sure is hard.
