I kinda have high cholesterol

I mean I do, but…

Me: Well, the good news is that I called the doctor like you asked…
Her: OK…and the bad news?
Me: I may have told the office to go fuck themselves.
Her: You understand that this won’t help you get that appointment for your back.
Me: I am not unaware. In my defense, they deserved it. I did apologize to the unfortunate soul that was unlucky enough to pick up the phone.

I’m gonna be – Jesus Christ – 53 in a few weeks.

Up until Alison got sick, I used to always get my annual physical around my birthday but, like most things, that went out the window once she got sick.

Only just got back on track a year or two ago.

Which is a good thing because, as I get older, the things that are falling apart on me is increasing on the daily.

On that note, my cholesterol is now solidly in the “high” category BUT my HDL is pretty high, and my triglycerides are pretty low.

In the past, I’d be on statins now, but research seems to show that, if you have low triglycerides and a high HDL, your chance of getting a cardiac event is pretty low.

According to the American College of Cardiology’s Risk Estimator Plus, despite having a fairly high cholesterol level, my overall risk of getting a heart attack is only 0.6% higher than what they consider “optimal.”

I almost got a heart attack when the doc called me to tell me my test results, but it turns out that he’s just old school and likes to actually chat to his patients on the phone rather than just have his office email results.

Him: Do you eat a lot of red meat?
Me: Well, not particularly, just about…
Him: (interrupting) Try to limit it to once a week – ideally once every two weeks.
Me: OK, I’ll try but…
Him: (interrupting again) You’re a nice guy, I’d like you stick around.
Me: Frankly, I’d like to stick around too.

I wouldn’t say I’m a nice guy – I’m not a jerk but I’m hardly a nice guy either.

Case-in-point, my back is crap again and I tried to make an appointment, but they insisted that I come in for a third consultation – which is ridiculous, as they literally just see me for five minutes.

They screwed up two prior injection visits so with this last phone call, I may have gone went off on the poor soul that picked up the phone and told me that I’d have to get a consultation first before getting an injection.

I did apologize afterwards but I don’t think I’ll be heading back to that office again.

Her: (sighs) Do I need to start making appointments on your behalf?
Me: Evidently.

Honestly, I think that part of the reason that my cholesterol was so high was because I made a four-pound cut of corned beef and cabbage for St. Paddy’s day the night before my tests.

Looks like it’s gonna be a lotta fish and chicken in the Lo House moving forward.

Sigh.

Location: earlier today, Chinatown again – been busy with work
Mood: thoughtful
Music: I don’t want to stay here on my own (Spotify)
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