Healthy discouragements
Last week, Paul had his yearly physical at Richard Roudebush VA, in Indianapolis. Shortly after we arrived he received a blood draw. The lab tech took five vials of blood. Then Paul checked in at the Blue Team clinic.
After a while, a weigh -in and wait to see his provider and several health concerns to talk about with the doctor; an associate called his name.
Dr. Gaglairdi greeted him like an old friend and seemed to remember, vividly, words spoken on a previous visit over a year and a half ago. With Paul’ s mind at ease, his high blood pressure reading tumbled down somewhat.
They talked about his increasing pain, basically covering all 5’4” inches of his body.
He helped him onto the table, lifted him up and laid him down and thumped his stomach , like a ripe or not so ripe watermelon. Everything looked good at that point.
Then, Paul moved to his eye problems and the good doctor said nary a word what he was testing for or what he found going on in his abdomen.
The provider then reviewed his stats and other important information posted on the computer. He looked closely at the results of the blood draw and said that all of the levels were very good except one.
He said, “You have the early onset of diabetes. The number is not high and possibly you can manage your problem with a few changes to your diet and discipline. ”
Paul made it off of the table on his own , elevated blood pressure and disappointment written on his rosy face. The patient follows instructions of his caregivers well. Like smoking, he got the message.
The last few years have been tough for him. As the old saying goes, “ When it rains it pours!”
I know he was thinking of the sweets that would not grace his table and if ‘Mom’ would do her part. This old girl has close to sixty-one years under my belt playing nurse and there is no stopping me now!
We came home with his meter, more meds and treatment to give comfort to his eyes, enough to fill a brown sack. My charge was so tired the nap was in order and I pondered what to fix for dinner and talked to Tootie about her snack habit.
Now it is a new week and we are on track. Hopefully, Paul will have a good report when the numbers are in again. Happily, on most days, we roll along!
I can be reached by phone at 317-286-7352 or drop me a line to 649 South Grant Street, Brownsburg , IN., 46112.
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