Test Results

Well today I received the results of my CA 125 test - 72. The nurse told me it should be under 35. I will be discussing all this with the doctor on Monday.

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I also received my test results from my Endocrinologist:

A1c - 6.0
Total Cholesterol - 123 - I'm very pleased about this!
Triglycerides - 116
HDL - 56
Vitamin D - 46.4

Green Smoothie - Number 3

Today I tried collard greens, an apple, and lemon juice. I like the color. The taste is just okay. There is a slight bitter aftertaste. This one looks much better than it tastes.

I've review a few recipes that recommend banana with collards to help the taste. I really haven't been feeling bananas, in general. For some reason, the thought of a banana in a green smoothie grosses me out. I may have to give it a try. It's going to be fun trying to figure out a good combo for these greens.

My Second Green Smoothie

Today I tried kale, mango, lime, and ginger. It was yummy. I enjoyed it much better than the spinach one I made on Sunday. It was much more pretty--a bright green. I am having fun with this.

Tomorrow I think I'm going to try something with collards.

Fitness Quote of the Week

“Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do.” ~Anonymous

It Feels Good!

I was feeling pretty good today so I decided to give a walk a try. It felt good to be out there. I was able to do a half a mile. It took me 12 mins. I know I shouldn't concern myself with the time but that's just the type of person I am. I was so happy to be out there sweating and breath heavily.

Just for today, I am grateful to Spirit to be able to enjoy a nice, brisk, prayful walk.

My First Green Smoothie

Today was my first attempt at making a green smoothie. I went online and looked at a few recipes and made a variation of what a reviewed. One of my twitter friends, Kat, mentions green smoothies on her blog from time to time so I'm very interested in hearing about her recipes. Anyhow, here's what I came up with this morning:

2 cups of spinach
1 cup of organic mixed berries
ginger
cayenne
a touch of Agave sweetener

It was pretty good.

Health Update

It's been quite a week. I went to the Urologist on Tuesday for my pre-op and he tells me he doesn't think he can help me. After consultation, he believes the cyst is on my ovary, not my bladder. So, I go to the GYN on Thursday. They can't get a view of my ovaries from the CT scan that the Urologist shared so I had to come back the next day for an Ultrasound.

Yesterday I go in for the Ultrasound. The doctor then comes in and explains that he's going to need to refer me to someone else. UGH! I have a septated cystic mass. They're not quite sure of the origin. He believes it is from the right ovary. My left ovary is not visible. I also had blood drawn for a CA-125 test.

I have an appointment with an Oncologist GYN on March 1st. The major concern is that I've had two abdominal surgeries--an emergency myomectomy in 1994 (I went to the ER because I thought I had appendicitis.) and a hysterectomy in 2005.

I've been doing some reading about septated ovarian cysts. I know I have a high tolerance for pain but I'm surprised I don't have much pain. The mass is pretty large - 5 in x 3 in x 3 in and about 14 oz. of fluid. Yuck! I'm so grossed out that I have yet something else growing inside me.

Anyhow, I do not like what my body feels like right now. The lack of exercise is catching up with me. I've been stretching here and there but I'm starting to feel stiff and heavy. I don't even dare get on the scale. Today it's supposed to be nice out. I'm going to attempt to go for a walk.

Fitness Quote of the Week

"Everybody wants to know what I'm on. What am I on? I'm on my bike busting my *** six hours a day. What are you on?" ~Lance Armstrong

Fitness Quote of the Week

I love sharing my story. It's endlessly healing. ~Ben Vereen

Mystery Solved--My Bladder Issues

I've spent the past two days at the Urologist's office because I'm still having trouble emptying my bladder. The cramps and spasms have subsided but the frequency and the urge to go are still strong.

So, Tuesday I go in and he tells me the next course of action is to try self-catheterization. I am not a happy camper. I'm all upset and stressed. The poor assistant is trying her best to teach me to insert this thing. Looking back, it was hilarious. At the time, I was devastated. We finally get it in and nothing happens. No urine. She scans my bladder again, the results say my bladder is full, but nothing is happening. The doctor comes in, checks and said it's in correctly. After several more tries, (and apparently the doctor had words with her) he decides it not going to work. He's baffled. He doesn't understand why my bladder is full yet not emptying. I'm told to come back tomorrow for more tests. I'm scheduled for a CT Scan, a Cystometry, and a Cystoscopy

The next day I come and have the CT Scan. The doctor comes in asking me all these questions about my hysterectomy. He then tells me the CT Scan shows something next to my bladder. All sorts of stuff starts going through my head. The night before Crystal jokes that maybe the doctor left something inside me after my surgery four years ago. Now, He going to skip the cystometry and do the cystoscopy to have a look. Bingo! There's a HUGE sac of fluid, a cyst?, next to my bladder. It's three times the size of my bladder. The doctor apologizes to his assistant. He said this is what she was seeing on the bladder scanner. Apparently he gave her a hard time yesterday. Now what?

Well, I have to have surgery. Because of my other medical issues, I need to get medical clearance from my general doctor. I have an appointment with her on Friday.

I've been through so many emotions during the past two days. I'm so relieved I finally know what's going on with my body. I'm looking at the bright side that it could have been worst. I'm glad it's not cancer. Yet, I have to do honest that I'm very disappointed. I've been working so hard on my health and fitness goals. I feel that this is a real setback. Right now I just need to acknowledge these feelings and then move on. I talked to my trainer about it. I don't want to lose all the progress I made. I know how hard it was to start walking even. My goal was to start jogging by the end of this year. Plus, I'm long overdue to start training for the stairclimbing event in April. I'm also concerned about my other health goals. Having diabetes and having surgery is tricky. I'm healthier than last time so I'm confident I will heal a lot quicker. I made an appointment to talk to my Endocrinologist . I realize I'm jumping so far ahead. I need to stay in this present moment and deal with what is going on right now.

So, my focus is going to switch for a while. I also need to begin preparing myself for surgery physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Biggest Loser Last Chance Work Out Challenge - Week Three Update

No weight loss this week. I completed three out of six challenge workouts this week. I managed to make it to my sessions with Kimberly last Monday and Wednesday. Wednesday Kimberly cut my session to 30 minutes. So, even though I did work out, I didn't push myself too much. The main thing is that I made an effort to move.

I have my follow up appointment tomorrow. Hopefully, I can get things resolved once and for all. I'm ready to feel 100% now.

Since Kimberly has encouraged me to see maintaining my weight as a positive, I will do so.

Fitness Quote of the Week

I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday. ~Author Unknown