Medical tests

My sister's Holy Week visit went well as always.  We mostly ate our meals at restaurants she missed so naturally the word 'diet' wasn't part of our regular vocabulary.

Together with the dining out moments, my sister includes shopping as well as medical tests in her must do list during her home visits. She hardly has time to go for her medical check up as she is always swapped with work (sometimes even during weekends).   Besides, medical tests are way cheaper here than in HK and it is easier to communicate with doctors here because they speak in the vernacular as well as in English if need be.

So during one of her doctor's visits, I decided to tag along and go for a consultation regarding my blood pressure levels.  You see in all of my 44 years of existence, I've never had any blood test to check my cholesterol, blood sugar and crea levels.  Naturally with my unhealthy diet and my sedentary lifestyle, I am bound by genetics to have hypertension.  But since I don't really feel bad or had any high blood panic moments, I just course through life medication free.  

The doctor who examined me was surprised I didn't feel faint as my blood pressure was quite high.He also ordered complete blood tests  to check everything as well as an  ECG to monitor my heart. This entails fasting for 10 hours before the nurse draws blood from you.  So last Friday morning, I was at the clinic by 9am for the requested tests.  The next day I had my test results in my hand and I didn't need a doctor to tell me that my cholesterol levels are quite high in fact totally off the charts.

I was prescribed maintenance dosage for my hypertension and high cholesterol. And for someone who avoids even taking paracetamol for a headache since I don't like toxins in my system,  I'm quite alarmed that I need to take these potent medicines for the rest of my life.  Reading up on the various side effects doesn't help ease my anxiety, but I guess I have no one to blame but myself for not staying on the healthy path.   It has been almost 2 years since I gave up trying to conceive.  In the span of that period, I was mostly depressed (although I put up a brave front) so I ate everything I avoided when I was TTC (trying to conceive).    

But I guess life goes on.  D & I are devising an exercise program we both can do together as well as reverting to our fish and veggies regimen. I am determined to at least bring my cholesterol to normal levels in 2 - 3 months time when I'm due for another check up.  

Bring it on, let's do this!