Finally Donating Blood

 After three tries, BP was finally low enough so I could donate blood.    Antibodies came back NEGATIVE, cholesterol was 191.   Will try again at the next one in town at the end of November. 

Mammogram NORMAL

 Went for a mammogram as its been about 4 years.  Results:  NORMAL  Good, good. 

Redness on shoulder. (Petechiae?)

Weird redness on my shoulder today.  I think it's because I carried a bag that had a watermelon and melon in it.  Could be Petechiae, which is bleeding under the skin due to broken capillaries (blood vessels.)  

Petechiae are flat spots that may appear as a result of bleeding underneath the skin. The spots are typically reddish when they first appear, and they might become purple, blue, or brown with time. Patients may notice single spots in the initial stages, and these may develop into clusters of petechiae in the later stages. When pressure is applied to petechiae, they will stay the same color. Most petechiae are not painful and do not itch. Doctors can diagnose petechiae with a visual examination, and they will need to perform a physical examination of the patient to establish the underlying cause for the petechiae. Patients should monitor any petechiae for changes in size or color, and they should see a doctor if they develop a fever, confusion, breathing difficulties, a rapid pulse, or changes in heart rhythm. Depending on the cause, petechiae may be treated with antibiotics, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants.

Injuries and straining could both lead to the formation of petechiae. For example, patients might notice petechiae as a result of sunburn, and these spots could also form on areas of the skin frequently exposed to friction. Students and workers who carry heavy backpacks, purses, or other bags on an almost daily basis may develop petechiae on the shoulders or other areas that backpack and bag straps might rub. Injuries from blunt force trauma, including car accidents, hitting, or biting, may also produce petechiae. Straining from childbirth is a common cause of petechiae for women, and individuals who strain regularly while lifting weights could have petechiae too. Crying, prolonged coughing, and repeated vomiting may result in petechiae as well. In cases of straining, petechiae typically form on the neck, face, and chest, and they tend to be very small in size.

Most petechiae will resolve on their own, if there is no underlying disorder.  

If it doesn't go away, could be due to an infection or low platelet count (?).  If fever develops, go see doctor.  Other causes of petechiae:  https://healthprep.com/articles/conditions/causes-petechiae/

Weird Pot Incident

 We were going to the beach, the drive was hurting my hips.  Look in my purse for a Salonpas.  Damn, all gone.  Debated if I should smoke a little but held off.  We get to beach and David says he'll meet me at the sand, I was to go pee first and he was gonna smoke.   I ask, can i smoke a little too, to help with the pain. I take the first hit, two small puffs.  As I held it in, it started to expand and I have a coughing fit, and then I couldn't inhale to get the cough out.  Felt like I was suffocating.  Then thought, I'll breathe in from my nose.  Didn't go smoothly but was able to get a few inhales in and I was able to get the coughs out.   And then the high hit hard.  I'm fumbling my stuff trying to condense into the camelbak but I go slow cuz I know it might be hard to walk.  Got everything together and start walking.  Oh oh, this doesn't feel right.  I call David, tell me it's hitting me HARD and I say I need to sit.  Almost just sat on the curb.  Hold his hand and take a few steps, then he says, wanna just sit in the car?  Nod, yes.  Get in car, he's saying, maybe we'll just go for a drive, to Lake Henshaw.  Thumbs up.  I felt so high, and also had this sensation in my chest.  Like there's a burp I need to get out.  Breathe in deep, breathe out deep.  Sips of water.  I was even hard to speak.  And then, about 45 min later, I burp.  Ahhhh, relief.  Half the high goes away, I am able to talk normal again.  So weird.  David thought maybe it went down the wrong air hole, someone constricted airflow to brain which caused the light headedness.  Said my coughing at the beginning sounded really weird too.   Heart rate was just a little low, mid-70s.   Came home, took BP readings.  Very low.  106/69, 95/71, 100/70, 94/75.  But felt find standing.  Ate some potato chips and nuts, hoping to bring it up.  Checked again 7:30pm, 131/92.  Good, back to my "normal".    Dunno what happened.  He says, maybe you shouldn't smoke anymore.   Maybe I shouldn't.  Stick to edibles. :)

Had about half an edible a few days ago just to see how much it'll raise my BP.  Took reading about 3 hrs after as it was taking effect.  No change.  Hmmm, maybe I can start taking these again occasionally. 

Lab results

 For the most part I am within the normal range which was good.  

A little low on potassium (3.3l, normal 3.5-5.3l), could be caused by diuretic but she just said to eat more potassium foods instead of changing meds. 

Total cholesterol was in range (197, <200) but all others not good.  HDL was 43 (needs to be > 50).  LDL was 110 (needs to be <100). Non HDL cholesterol was 154 (needs to be <130).  And the worst was Triglycerides.  It was 329 (needs to be <150).  Yikes. 

What causes high triglycerides?  Overeating, too much carbs, drinking lots of alcohol, and interestingly, some medication.  beta blockers and thiazide diuretics both on the list. 

How to lower?  Exercise, limit alcohol, sugar, processed foods, carbs.  Eat fish 2x/week.  Increase healthy fats.   

Annual exam and Well-woman check

Went in for my annual exam and well-woman check.  Got a pap smear and pelvic exam.  She says I have nabothian cysts but didn't see the cervical polyp which was good.

Nabothian cysts are filled with mucus that is secreted by the cervical glands. Sometimes the tiny bumps are called cervical cysts, mucinous retention cysts, or epithelial cysts. Nabothian cysts are fairly common. They aren't a threat to your health, and they aren't a sign of cervical cancer.



Since it's been about 4 years since my last mammogram she ordered another one.  Lab work (fasting) to be done in 3 weeks.  Feet getting hot could be mild peripheral neuropathy, but since it comes and goes there is no concern.  If it becomes more constant it should get it checked. 

UPDATE: 7/20/20:   Pap Smear was normal.  Don't have HPV.  Cervix is friable (bleeds easily), still recommends I see OB-GYN for cervical polyp exam. 

What is a friable cervix?

Your cervix is the cone-shaped lower part of your uterus. It acts as a bridge between your uterus and vagina. The word “friable” refers to tissue that tears, sloughs, and bleeds more easily when touched.

If your cervix tissue becomes overly sensitive and easily irritated, it’s known as a friable cervix.

A friable cervix is usually a symptom of an underlying condition that can be treated.

7 years

A couple weeks ago it donned on me that a couple weeks ago before that was my 7 year since my stroke.  With the coronavirus and quarantine I totally forgot about my stroke anniversary.   I guess it's a good thing, it's becoming something of the past and not on my mind as much.  Life has pretty much returned to normal.  BP has been high though lately.  Dunno if I'm not eating as well because of the lockdown, but I have been walking more and even biking with Colleen several times, and  couple times with David.  Have gained a little weight during the lockdown, been off work since March 25, almost 2.5 months now.  I guess I sit around on the computer more now that I'm home all day.

Abby came home early March.  It's been nice having someone around.  I had gotten used to being alone most of the time.  I have been drinking more lately tho, because Abby drinks now.  Been having White Claws, Trulys, and Moscow Mules.  She doesn't like beer, wine, tequila, gin.   Her bday is tomorrow, turning 19.  Made her a pink macrame anklet.  Prolly will give her money for her apartment.