Sometimes it's the right time in the wrong place. Last night I emerged from shopping at Aldi in time to see a gorgeous sunset. Right time. But, Aldi parking lot = wrong place to take a scenic sunset photo (I did anyway).
Here's some medical updates. You know how it is, at this age it's a doctor appointment every week.
I had a follow-up appointment with my gynecologist. She was pleased to see that the lichen sclerosis was clearing up and said my vagina looks "healthier" (whatever that means - maybe I should have asked her to take before and after pictures). I'm not seeing great improvement with the intercourse pain, but I haven't been diligent about using the dilators I bought, so I'm trying to be more dedicated about that. She had previously prescribed an estrogen pill for me that gets inserted in the vagina. I thought that would be less messy than a cream. I was dismayed to discover that each individual dose comes in its own plastic applicator. God, the plastic waste! 😬 So, I'm switching to an estrogen cream and HWD has promised to help rub it in. 😁 (thanks for the tip, BJ!).
In December my health plan started badgering me by text to do a home poop test. I ignored them because I had a colonoscopy in 2021 and at that time they said everything looked great and I didn't have to come back for 10 years. Then, one day, unsolicited, the box showed up on my doorstep. It sat unopened for about three weeks, while my health plan continued to badger me by text. "you haven't done your Cologuard test yet!" "When are you going to do your Cologuard test?" "Hurry! Do your Cologuard test."
I was feeling pretty sure that the whole thing was kind of a scam for the health plan to get more Medicare reimbursement. Like those home visits to check for falling hazards - which I have successfully avoided having to do so far. Nevertheless, one day a mood struck me, so I completed the test. Pooping in a box - so weird. I sent it in - a couple of weeks later my results came back positive. Unfortunately, they don't say what that really means, so now I have to have a colonoscopy. Le sigh.
You can be sure I've already been googling and rediting like crazy so I've learned these tests are notorious for false positives. And even when it's a valid positive, usually it's just polyps rather than actual cancer. So I surprisingly am not as worried as I normally would be. The colonoscopy isn't until April.
Yesterday I had routine dental appointment. The hygienist had been cleaning away for about 20 minutes by the time the dentist came in for a quick check. She was saying everything looked good, but then said, "I see some inflammation, but the cleaning should take care of that nicely". Excuse me?? She didn't consider that having my gums poked and my teeth being scraped right next to the gums for twenty minutes might the cause of the inflammation rather than the cure? Shaking my head.
Finally, Monday I have my annual primary care check-up. I'm not expecting significant improvement in my cholesterol. I wasn't able to stick with my program of 40 grams of fiber a day, less than 10 grams of saturated fat a day. The holidays kind of blew apart my routine. I am still eating oatmeal with chia seed, flax, and psyllium fiber every day. Maybe that will produce a minor improvement, we'll see.
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Those estrogen tabs and their applicators ... worse than tampons! Further tip ... make sure HWD knows to massage like hand lotion not scrub like removing grease stains!
It's funny - I never worried about plastic waste back when I was going through half a package of tampons a month. I guess I was less "woke" back then.
The first attempt at him helping me was humorous. He was rubbing it around and I was thinking, "weird I can't feel him inside me" - well that was because he didn't know it was supposed to go inside my vagina. After a slight course correction, all went well.
Pretty damn beautiful sunset
It really was!
@smartasswoman where u located
@Mrwhoknows1 here’s a tip - click on my photo and it will take you to a page where you can see that. (It’s nowhere near you)
My cousin in Canada, who is my age, says she never had to do a colonoscopy yet because they only do that colorguard test until you’re in your sixties up there. I found that interesting. I did a colonoscopy in 22, no one has come to me about the other one…yet. 😹
I dunno I feel like that tooth scraping would give you inflammation.
Good luck on the cholesterol
Interesting about Canada - that might be an example of penny pinching with nationalized health care. For me the recommendation was to get the first colonoscopy at 50 - I think I’ve heard they’ve moved that up to 45 now since more people are getting cancer earlier.
i will let you know about the cholesterol. 😊
You have to poop in the box? I don't think I'm that good.
The estrogen cream application sounds like fun
I think most dental people are half nuts. They cause sore gums and high blood pressure.
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Hugs!!
Yeah, like I mentioned to spunky, I couldn't believe how long that hygienist was going scrape scrape scrape, considering I couldn't see or feel any plaque before the appointment. Perhaps the profession attracts the obsessive compulsive type.
Beautiful sunset. Enjoy the positives wherever you can find them. Take one day at a time and not worry about something that hasn’t happened (I know it’s easier said than done).
I'm feeling surprisingly not anxious about the poop test result. Although I am feeling a bit of dread about that colonoscopy prep experience! 😂
@smartasswoman It’s good you're feeling less anxious about the poop test result. As for the colonoscopy prep, it's completely normal to feel some dread about it. Just remember, it's a necessary step for your health, and you'll get through it. Waiting until April is a long time. Hang in there!
I hate all the doctor stuff. You are entirely right that it feels like every other week is something new! Next month I see a gastro for my own colonoscopy - I'm overdue, and my primary is concerned because I am anemic. The fun just never ends!
I'm sure many people have told you this already, but the procedure itself isn't a big deal for most people. They give you lots of good drugs. The prep, on the other hand - not fun. Best advice I've seen is to buy some baby wipes because your butt is going to get real tender from cleaning yourself, when you're pooping every 20 minutes. 😂
@smartasswoman It isn't really the procedure that I'm concerned about. I've had other crappier (hahahaha) procedures. But now I have to find someone to take me there and drive me home. THAT'S the problem. sigh
@buxombbw4u oh yeah, I totally get that part! I was three years late for my first one and finally asked my sister if she would do it (we aren’t that close, see each other maybe once or twice a year). I think for her it was worth the minor hassle to get to see me all loopy/ silly after the procedure.
@smartasswoman Maybe I'll use that as a selling point to my brother. Last time he had to drive me, I had to pay him to make up for his lost wages. That's messed up, right?
Don't you just love those gorgeous skies when there's a bad view! I've had that happen so many times!
You reminded me that I did one of those cologuard mail-your-poop things a few years ago and never heard back... either it was all good or they lost it. Guess I should as when I go for my annual.
Oh, you should ask! Don't be surprised if they can't tell you what the result was, though. I looked and the ExactScience results haven't been brought into my online health chart - it seems to be a standalone thing.
More to amuse myself than anything, and somewhat to see what might happen, I spent 5 minutes playing with your image. Cropping was the biggest change. It is not any standard format now, but if it is only to be viewed electronically, that doesn't matter. (This was once a discussion topic at the camera club I attend and that was the consensus. But if you ever wanted to print, this non-standard crop would present a challenge.) I also removed those damn street lights and power/telephone poles and lines (something I spend a LOT of time doing in my shots!!) and made some minor color adjustments.
You know what they say - "a well used vagina, is a happy and healthy vagina". 😂
The insurance companies ADORE providing extra services to you - and then billing Medicare. The biggest one I get hounded about is annual check-up from a visiting nurse, which they bill at something like $350 vs. something like $150 if I go the my GP.
That's a decent edit, Cleave - thanks!
I just don't perceive myself as being so infirm as to need a visiting nurse, and dislike the idea of someone snooping around my house. They certainly would find some trip hazards what with all of the yarn I have lying around for projects. 😂
@NightBloom95 Yes, you surely can. The issue is the non-standard aspect ratio and how that fits/looks on standardly available media (paper, etc.)
Mmmm....but there is something nicely dramatic about the darkness at the bottom of the picture and the glorious colors of the sunset above. Yes, unless you signed up for the Cologuard they shouldn't have been badgering you. And nice that HWD has stepped up to work things in.
He really is a peach. At one point he said "I just want you to know that if you're doing all of this just for me, you don't have to".
@smartasswoman Sweet!
Great photo.
I hate seeing a hygienist. At my last visit, I got up and walked out because of the pain she was inflicting on me despite my several complaints beforehand.
I hope it's a false positive.
I can't believe how long they have to go scrape scrape scrape on my teeth. Considering that I can't perceive any plaque or feel anything with my tongue. And I get in there every eight months or so. I can't imagine what it would be like for someone who hasn't had a cleaning in a few years.
Nice pic. 🤗
Thanks Paul.
@smartasswoman
As a "photog-fan," I disagree with whatever the fuck HE said.
Perfect pic. No need to go into editing. FFS. I mean, will THIS be your LAST sunset?
Nice pic.
And by that, I meant you captured — what you did.
Nice... On to the next.💕
@Paulxx001 damn, I hope not! I will save this pic in my photo library to remind me of a sweet interaction. HWD was still at work so I texted him and said "There's a gorgeous sunset right now, you should go outside a look if you have a chance". A few minutes later he texted back "!!!!!😮😍😮😍😮!!!!!". So cute.
@smartasswoman
Gotcha.
I know where you're coming from. 💕
Keep with your attention with your health. I have always been on top of that since i have gotten older. Love the colors in that picture. Awesome!!
It does require more diligence as we age. It's a good thing I'm no longer working, otherwise I'd have trouble making time for all of these appointments!
@smartasswoman I agree with you on that, being retired actually makes it easier for me as well.
It may have not been the most scenic place, it is still a wonderful sunset and wonderful sky picture. Thank you for taking this one.
Thanks for appreciating it!
It’s still a pretty sky sunsetting sky…sorry for all the medical issues…hope all turns out well.
I feel like I maybe have an average number of issues for a person of my age? Dunno..it would be interesting to see if there is any data on that. I feel lucky to not have needed a hip or knee replacement, but I suppose that could be in my future.
Here's to healthy vaginas! I'll drink to that! Wishing you all the best.
Thank you.
@smartasswoman You're certainly welcome. That's a beautiful sunset in the photo, by the way!