Yesterday was my hospital appointment to check my diabetes and cancer markers.
Every six months, I have tests to see if there is any trace of cancer in my body. The December one is just a blood test. In June, I have a full workup, mammogram, CT scan and echo scan. It's now seven years since I had cancer. With most cancers, you are considered cancer-free after 5 years, but with the type I had, the checks go on for 10 years! Again, my blood work showed nothing out of the ordinary!
One thing I've noticed after having cancer, every little pain or twitch, or feeling a bit under the weather, sends me into a slight panic attack! The sensible part of my brain tells me it's nothing, old age, indigestion, or some such thing, that the strange feelings will pass. The emotional part of my brain starts to whisper, "What if....?" "Mom had terminal cancer at your age" " You aren't a doctor; this could be bad" Fortunately, as time has passed, I can quieten these thoughts, most of the time. Part of that is choosing to live more intentionally, to allow myself time to rest, to understand what I need, learning about nutrition and how exercise plays a part in being healthy. I'm reading and watching a lot of videos about growing old, how to deal with sarcopenia, the loss of muscle as we age, and what nutrients help with keeping my gut healthy! I'm diligent but slip up now and then, but it isn't the end of the world. Another thing I'm learning about is gratitude, but that is a whole other post.
The other test I had done and the one that has me shouting for joy is the test for diabetes!
This is the A1C test. According to my doctor, a normal range is between 4.2 and 6.00. When I was diagnosed with diabetes, my A1C was 7.2. I managed to get down to 6.00, and I stayed there for about a year. Yesterday, the results came back, my A1C was 5.7! I know it isn't a big change, but it made me so happy. I've tried so hard since September to lose some weight, to eat less carbs and cut sugar. But it's been a struggle. Especially with all the stress I've had, the extreme pain in my back and the expense of fruits and vegetables. Some days I felt everything was against me, including myself! But I lost 3kgs, which, considering everything that is great, plus my A1C number is down!
My next appointment for a diabetes test is in April. I really want to push and lose at least 5kgs, which would put me just under 90kgs, still big, but better. It's going to be hard, between now and then, there is Christmas, New Year's, birthdays, and trips with Hannah. I'm going to have to plan things carefully. I want to enjoy these holidays, I want to celebrate, and part of the celebrations is food, food that is only available at that time of year. I have to learn how to control myself, have a taste of the cake or one cookie, and really practice moderation! Wish me luck. If anybody has any tips, drop me a comment!
Just to finish, a little video I took yesterday morning.
The weather here had been rather strange. Even though it's December, it has been very warm. December 1st, it was 21 °C! On Wednesday, the temperature plummeted; it didn't get over 10C all day! It actually looked and felt like winter!
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