I Need My Fingers To Work

So you would think with a triglyceride level hovering around 600 my doctor would finally take my health seriously. I figured the moment I entered his office he would whip out that prescription pad and scribble a couple of medications admonishing me on neglecting my health. Nope, instead I got a "Your numbers are high, but that could be for a variety of reasons. Do you think you could bring them down with your diet and exercise?" After I lifted my chin off the floor I replied, "Look at last December's numbers. I quadrupled them by watching my diet and exercise, so what do you think?"

After I assured him I needed HELP! he gave me a prescription which is supposed to lower my bad cholesterol and raise the good, which had sunk a couple of points to 35. I asked him if my tingly and numb appendages could mean I was a candidate on the verge of a stroke. He didn't say so, said there were a variety of reasons why I could be experiencing that sensation, but didn't offer even one. He said I should try and lose weight. Well, duh. He recommended the "Sugar Busters" book and even wrote the title on one of his prescription papers. I asked him if I was diabetic yet, so he looked at my numbers and said no, but then added, "That was last year's number." He didn't test my sugar this time. Why would he, since my entire family is diabetic, my mother died of pancreatic cancer and I have the tell-tale diabetes middle roll?

I asked for a copy of the results and noticed that according to the numbers I was anemic. When questioned he said I was slightly anemic so that wasn't really a problem. I'm thinking maybe that's why I feel so weak and tired all the time. My white blood cells and thyroid functions were in the normal range, so that was promising. And then he hit me with, "You've tested positive for rheumatoid arthritis, but that doesn't mean you have it." Really? Could that be why my bones ache?

I've seen what happens to people with RA. My husband's aunt has it, she suffers with a lot of pain and it's not a pretty sight. I'm not wasting any time finding out if I do indeed have it or not so already set up an appointment with a specialist. I'm bringing all my blood numbers with me too so I can get a second opinion regarding the anemia and other low blood counts. Maybe I should be on an iron supplement or something. I think I can reverse my high cholesterol if I put more effort into it, but don't know what I can do about rheumatoid arthritis. I'm a writer, I'm a photographer, I'm a baker, I'm a cross-stitcher, I'm a ping-pong player, I'm a drummer in Rock Band, I'm an accountant, I'm a mother, I'm a (fill in the blank)...I need my fingers to work.

When I came home I called my husband and asked if he has a pact with the devil, I mean doctor. "Did you pay him to keep me off medications so I would die quicker than you and then you could remarry or something? Are you guys gonna split my life insurance?" He pretended to be, I mean was, offended by my questions, and denied it, but come to think of it he did laugh. Hmmmm...