1) The elephant in the room.
We’re only a few days into the new administration, and I am struggling, you guys. I vacillate between feelings of despair and rage with every new story I see. It’s so bad already and this is only the beginning. I hate that we’re back to this nonsense. I hate that these idiots are celebrating. I hate that every time I open Instagram, I see another crazy story. I hate that Monday could have been a day filled with joy and history and hope, and instead… we got Nazi salutes and stupid speeches about renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
We have a long four years ahead of us and sure, we survived it last time but this time feels different. This time, he has people bowing at his feet and all of the tech bros at his side doing whatever bidding he wants them to do. He has staunch loyalists on his team and I don’t trust the Republican party to stand up to him. Hell, there are some Democrats I’m looking at sideways these days. But what can we do but resist? Call our elected officials and volunteer for organizations fighting the good fight and do what we can to take back the House and Senate in the midterms. I know I’m looking into ways to get involved, especially locally, and I’ll share more as I figure out what I’m going to do.
2) Stupid bloodwork.
Let’s talk about my bloodwork. The last time I got bloodwork was March and my doctor was fairly concerned with some of my numbers. I was prediabetic and had high cholesterol/triglycerides. I joined a gym and later, found out I had severe obstructive sleep apnea. I hoped that working out at a higher intensity and being on CPAP therapy would improve some of those numbers. Did I clean up my eating? I mean, somewhat. I definitely drank less soda and tried to cut down on the sugary snacks, but I could have done a lot better.
Anyway, I went for labs in early January and was not happy with the results. The scariest number was my A1C that now puts me firmly in the diabetic category. (6.6% – anything over 6.4% is considered diabetic.) I saw my doctor on Monday and was scared she was going to berate me and make me immediately go on medication. Thankfully, none of that happened. She was kind and helpful and supportive. She is giving me three months to clean up my eating and after that, we will do more labs and see where I stand. I don’t have family history of diabetes, which my doctor said is a good thing since this means it likely can be controlled with my diet.
What really stuck out to me is what she said if I was officially diagnosed with diabetes. “This isn’t a punishment,” she said over and over again. “If we need to get you started on diabetes treatment, it’s to ensure you can be the healthiest version of yourself.” I needed to hear that. I have been really down on myself for letting things get to this point because it’s something I can control. “I’m going to be that fat person everyone hates,” I moaned to my mom when I got the bloodwork back. “The one who’s the strain on the insurance industry!”
Maybe this is the wake-up call I needed, though. Maybe it needed to get to this point where I’m about to be put on diabetes medication (which will also entail being put on a statin and cholesterol meds, since all of those are connected). And now it’s time to really hone in on my eating habits so I can return to my doctor this spring with good news.
3) Nerve pain.
Sometime in December, I started noticing carpal tunnel symptoms that were getting progressively worse. Every morning, the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger of my right hand (my dominant hand) would go numb as I tried to operate my mouse. I was waking up with throbbing pain in my thumb at night. The left side of my right hand just felt weak and sometimes I would feel dull pain radiating around my wrist and hand throughout the day. Sometimes if I tried to pick something up with my right hand or even pet a cat a certain way, I’d feel a sharp pain. I figured it was carpal tunnel syndrome and started wearing a splint at night, which helped a lot, and taking ibuprofen when the pain got worse.
When I saw my doctor on Monday, we talked about the symptoms I was experiencing and she does not think I have carpal tunnel but rather radial nerve pain. And hey, guess what one of the causes of radial nerve pain? Diabetes. My treatment regimen now is to wear a thumb splint to bed (finally got one yesterday!), ice my wrist and hand twice a day, and use topical lidocaine if the pain gets bad. And the hope is that by cleaning up my eating and lowering my A1C number, I can solve this condition, too.
4) Frozen Florida.
Okay, let’s talk about something less alarming than politics and medical conditions. It’s COLD in Florida! And I mean, it’s cold enough that northern Florida saw snow–one city saw a record-breaking 8.8 inches this week. Is climate change real, or are historic weather events continuing to happen throughout the globe? While we’re not going to get any snow here in the Tampa Bay area, we are seeing some very cold weather (for us, at least). The warmest it’s been the past week is the mid-40s. One morning, I took a look at my thermostat and it was 59 degrees in my apartment! (I didn’t have the AC or heat on.) I swiftly turned on the heat because I am not about that shivering-in-my-home life. And yes, I know that cold fronts in Florida are laughable for those of you up north, but remember, weather is relative and us thin-skinned Florida people are not used to this kind of cold!
5) Weekend plans.
I don’t have too much going on this weekend! I have no plans tonight so I may try and zoom through the last 200 or so pages of The Shell Seekers because I am dying to move onto a new book. Tomorrow, I have book club with my girls and we are doing brunch at a fave local spot. And Sunday, I have a writing date with Mikaela and then the NFL championship games later on. I’m so sad that there are only three games left in this season! I truly do not care who wins any of these games, so go sports!
What are your weekend plans? Do you wish it was in the 40s where you live?!
Hee hee yes I wish it was in the 40s where I lived. Which would also mean that it would not be in the 40s where you live so we both win if it’s in the 40s for me.
I really like your doc. We need more folks to say that getting medical treatment for a disease is not a punishment. It’s true that lifestyle and diet play a role in diabetes and obesity, but there are other causes so it’s might not be correct to say that it’s something that you can control. That’s why her approach of “let’s see what we can do in the next three months” is so sane and practical. Getting treatment is much less of a strain on the insurance industry than the alternative. Also if you do go on medication it’s not “the end”, it’s “what’s best right now”.
It is true that a diagnosis is not punishment. Easier said than done to get in the mindset, but in all seriousness kudos to you for getting bloodwork, going to your doctor, etc. and not ignoring it.
I am a lurker inclined to comment because I had gestational diabetes. My OB referred me to a diabetes RD and I had a few of appointments with her. It was very helpful to meet with her to go over my diet and concerns. She was also an all around good person and it also helped me mentally cope with the diagnosis. Unfortunately I’m not local or I’d recommend her.
You’ve mentioned that you’ve worked with a dietitian before, but you didn’t feel like she was a good fit for where you’re at now. Perhaps your provider has a similar dietitian office that you could work with.
I saw photos of snow in NOLA and I thought it was fake news. But no, I looked at the weather and saw that there was a weird cold snap. How odd! I can’t even remember the last time there was snow in San Francisco and we are a lot closer to the mountains than most southerners! It must be the winds from Canada.
I am sorry to hear about your blood work, but the good thing is, it can be controlled. It sounds like you have a good physician, which is half the battle. I hate going to medical appointments and having a good doctor really makes a difference. Keep your chin up!
It’s been super cold here (below zero) and Monday we are going to have a high of 41 and it’s going to feel like a heatwave. BUT. If it were 41 in October, I’d be such a crybaby about it because it takes some time to build up to dealing with cold weather!! If it’s regularly in the 80s and it drops down to the 40s, that’s going to be brisk! And you don’t have clothing or building infrastructure for that cold. OH! I once got a rental car from somewhere down south in the winter and even the antifreeze didn’t work! It’s fine to complain if it’s unseasonably/geographically inappropriate cold!
That goddamn elephant! Yes, the next four years are going to be a test for us, for sure. All we can do is our best, and I’ll be interested in hearing what you decide to do, because I’m trying to figure out my own strategy as well.
Our weather is similar to yours, a bit colder. It’s been in the 30s overnight, which means I have to cover up my sensitive outdoor plants, and my electric/gas bill is going to SUCK because my husband comes downstairs in his boxer shorts, bare feet, and a t-shirt instead of sweats/robe/slippers like a sane person.
I’m glad that you have a good doctor, that makes a big difference. I hope that you see some improvement over the next few months. I do think that exercise helps, your numbers to the contrary, so I’m glad that you’re doing the gym with your mom. If nothing else, it helps with the stress of the goddamn elephant.