Keeping Your Doctors on the Same Page

Yesterday I got a call from the office of my Family Practice Doc. I had gone there last week for a problem unrelated to my heart. In the process of the visit he ordered some blood work. The call yesterday was to inform me that my CPK was elevated and I needed to lower my dose of Crestor in half. My over all cholesterol and my LDL and HDL numbers were the best ever. But there is a problem. I am not about to change my dose of Crestor without the advise of my cardiologist, and I am still wondering why the blood work was done in the first place since I was not fasting. I am saying all of this just to illustrate that it is our responsibility to take charge of our health care. I just cannot assume that doctors communicate with one another. I also cannot assume that every test that a doctor gives is administered correctly. I love my family doctor, but I don't mind at all making sure things are done correctly.

Free Gym

I was visiting someone in the hospital the other day and was standing waiting for the elevator when I noticed a sign. It was posted on the stairwell door. It simply read "Free Gym." It worked, at least for me. That day I took the stairs. Those of us who are battling CAD have got to keep moving. It's just that simple

A New Year

I have spent a good deal of time reflecting on this past year. All in all it has been a good year. I took a group of medical folks to Ghana, West Africa. These trips continue to be so therapeutic. My wife and I had a wonderful trip out West. There really is no way to describe the Grand Canyon.  Spending time with our son was a real gift. We are so proud of him. He is an officer in the Air Force and is now stationed in Minot, ND. I talked to he tonight and he mentioned that it has warmed up.  The current temperature is all the way up to a balmy zero.  I think that is a strong case for relativity. After the trip I had total knee replacement surgery. As I said in an earlier there was no comparison between the knee surgery and my heart bypass. My knee is getting a little bit better every day. Of all the events of this past year without a doubt the news of the coming of our first grandchild tops the list. I feel so blessed. 

My biggest challenge for 2009 is going to be deal with my weight. I have put on a few pounds. Exercise and eating well is tough for me. I try not looking at this as some kind of New Resolution, but just a decision to do better. I want to live long enough to enjoy our granddaughter.  I can now say with certainty that life after bypass surgery can be fantastic.