Sievelike

 Chilly and windy.

 That's what it is this morning.

 And I have a doctor's appointment for a check-up.

I'm so tired of check-ups.

 I went to CVS earlier this week and got my shingles vaccine at a cost of $Zero dollars,

and today I'll let the doctor poke my other arm full of flu vaccine.

 With all these holes being poked in me, it's a wonder I'm not leaking like a sieve.

A Nuclear Heart Test

 Today was my nuclear stress test at the Heart Institute.

 Knowing that a 'nuclear' substance was being injected into my veins was a rather unnerving feeling, but it really wasn't so bad.

 But it was a three hour long appointment that entailed answering questions about my health history, and once the injection was done I had to sit and wait 40 minutes for it to circulate and light up my heart's pumping action.

Whoa!

 Then I laid on a table with a machine that had two cameras, and the entire machine circulated around my body... some people might find it a bit claustrophobic, but actually it just circulates around the center section of your body, never touching you, and your head, arms and legs are out in the open, so you are not entirely enclosed.  

Then I had a second injection which causes the heart to simulate what it would be doing if you were running on a treadmill, and they monitor your blood pressure and heart while this is going on as well, but it makes you feel funny... like warm, a bit of a headache, and although it's not uncomfortable physically... you still feel weird.

Then you go have pictures taken a second time under the machine that wraps around your body...

it was a technically enlightening kind of day and the people at the Roanoke Heart Institute could not have been kinder.

It was a positive experience and I hope to hear from my cardiologist in the next 48 hours as to just how photogenic my heart was and if there are any dire findings.

Wish me luck!

Taking Care Over Sixty

 I guess as I've aged I've taken my health more seriously, and am taking daily care and precautions, preventive actions, to keep myself going a few more decades.

 I am finally taking Fish Oil, Vitamin D, Magnesium, B-12 and Glucosamine every morning after having a breakfast or on some days a brunch, some of these at the suggestion of my doctor, and others because I've read what they can do for you.

Did you know that taking Fish Oil can help to lower cholesterol?  You can take up to four a day, and if you are currently on cholesterol medications and want to get off of them, then this is one step in getting started.

Vitamin D.... well, let's face it, none of us get enough of it, so my doctor started me on them, and I also, on my own, began taking Magnesium, because it helps in a HUGE way to help the body absorb the Vitamin D more readily.  

B-12?  My doctor also started me on this vitamin.  Here is what the Nature Made vitamins website has to say about it.

Great for red blood cell formation and for those of us over age 50, well... we can use all the help we can get.

Get an annual physical and your physician will at that time draw blood and let you know what YOU need.

 Floss at least once a day, and twice a day is even better.

Not only is this needed for healthy gums, but it's also good at keeping your heart healthy.

Who wants all that nasty stuff getting inside bleeding gums and into your blood system and heart!

 Since I have deep pockets around my teeth due to some years of not seeing the dentist,

I have been using this heavy threaded floss.  It was made by Johnson and Johnson, and is very necessary for me to do a good job of flossing in those deep areas around my teeth.  Unfortunately, they have decided not to make it anymore, but I did find a place that had some left and ordered it in bulk online.

I will be looking for an alternative brand in the months ahead when my supply runs low.

FLOSS PEOPLE!

It will make you healthier and your dentist happier.

 Speaking of me and my big mouth,

I have sensitivity and my dentist sells me this wonderful toothpaste.

It's expensive, but I use a little of this along with a little of a whitening toothpaste, and between the two of them my teeth shine!

 Life can be the pits... 

LOL

I have used Mitchum Smart Solid fragrance free for years, but lately it is also becoming difficult to buy locally.

They seem to be replacing it with Mitchum Oxygen.  Tried it.... gave me scabs under my arms!  Seriously.

It's such a person thing, and we all seem to find what works best for us.

I ended up ordering this online in bulk as well.

Wear it.

So, bottom line is,

if YOU are over sixty,  start taking better care of yourself.

Stop monkeying around and saying

"I wish I had", or "I'll start tomorrow".  

See ya around, hopefully for another twenty years!

XXOXX

*all photos are owned by Diane Cayton-Hakey*

*no company has paid me to mention their product*

An Infestation

So, I came across THIS today on Minions Fans on Facebook, and I thought to myself,

Self..... those little bastards need to be shown who is the boss around here, and I started a new eating plan.

Well, to be honest, it's not just because the pants are tighter, or that these little shits are taking over my life

but it also has to do with my health, and if my doctor EVER calls back with the blood test results perhaps that eating plan will make more sense.

Until then, this infestation MUST GO!