TGIF
Yesterday, I had a blessed reunion…with my doctor.
To make a long story short, he had retired after twenty years of being my physician…and I was lost.
He had been a great doctor for me and a great comfort as well through the trials of the last few years.
I was also sick…I had experienced a TIA or “mini stroke”…and didn’t know where to turn for follow up care.
I have “trust issues’ with doctors…and most people as well.
I digress…
In God’s providence retirement bored him and he had gone back to work part time.
In God’s providence he had gone to work at the clinic that my insurance had assigned me when I had no provider to list.
As he did his examination we caught up… talking about where life and taken us and the state of the valley in general.
We somehow ended up talking about the deer infestation we have here in the valley…driving in the rural areas has become hazardous as you never know when a herd will jump out in front of you to cross the street.
When I go to pick up my son in the afternoon I have to dodge not only the deer but the copious piles of manure that they leave behind.
We used to spend those drives looking at the hawks and eagles that are also flourishing this year, as well as the stunning scenery of Southern Oregon…but now we have to focus on other things.
It has gone from a relaxing drive to a daily stressor.
The road is full of danger and covered in excrement.
He finished his exam and then told me what he thought had happened and began to write me the necessary prescriptions to cover my conditions.
I had been told to expect one for blood pressure medication…but it was not written.
When I asked why, he replied the best prescription for my blood pressure was to stop focusing on manure.
When your focus changes from the glories of the heavens to the manure on your road it can make you sick.
Look up.
Make your own application…
So tell us about the TIA – what were the symptoms? We need to share these with each other so we know what to look for.
Thanks Michael. I too would like to know more about the symptoms of a TIA.
Yes and amen!
Philippians 4:8
MLD,
I had been having headaches and generally feeling lousy…which is why I have been pretty scarce here.
We were driving to the skatepark when my lips and my left hand went numb…and stayed that way for about fifteen minutes.
Afterward there was still a sense of facial numbness…like when you go to the dentist.
My blood pressure had spiked pretty dramatically.
We think biggest part of my problem was caused by an interaction between medications along with the stress of the last year.
I do feel better this morning after cleaning up that drug interaction and getting new medications.
We’re monitoring it pretty closely and I have some tests coming back today as well.
I think I’m ok…
Your in my prayer journal……
Thank you, Dude!
“Stop focusing on manure.”
LOL! That made my day.
I ask my wife if she’s heard the latest church scandal and she says no. She’s just blissfully unaware or too busy to care.
I am happy that you are getting the care you need, both for your body and soul. will be praying for you still….
Great news on your Dr. Michael, I’m sure that must be a great comfort & answed prayer. I’ve been praying for you as you mentioned you didn’t feel well. May you continue to recover & no deer cross your path!
gg, AA…thank you both for the prayers…they do keep us going.
Wow, Michael, glad you’re OK!
If you’re also prone to sleep issues from apnea look into getting a dental appliance. Sleeplessness will also mess you up.
Did your doctor also advise you to hydrate like a madman?
You might end up taking bio-breaks a lot more but the fluids will flush your system of the buildups of the meds, you will feel refreshed, and if you’re prone to caffeine addiction (like me) a cold glass of water instead of coffee or diet soda will head off those cravings and bring your hydration back from a deficit.
Yeah, focus on the blessings, not the shit.
These idiots in ministry who become abusive and controlling and messing with others for their own power will reap what they sow and there’s plenty of warning out there because you were one of the first and few who dared to invite dialog from those of us who continued to say that there was something wrong. You started a democracy movement and you’re no longer the only voice daring to speak out. People love to be free to experiment and learn from God first hand.
Just remember to breathe and step away.
10 min of silence a day…
Maybe the deer crossing signs!
Grendal,
You’ve been reading my medical records… 🙂
My caffeine consumption and dehydration contributed to my problem…and I’m working to clean that up too.
It sounded all too familiar.
A few years ago I fainted 5x in a 4 year period. Caffeine was the #1 culprit.
We are designed for
Water
Vegetables
Fruit & nuts
Protein (chicken is especially good)
Try to avoid except in quantities
beer
wine
hard liquor
Kahlua (sorry dude 😉 )
bread
snack foods
highly salted stuff
cookies
candies
sugary drinks & foods
diet or any kind of sodas
I suggest you use an app called “Lose it” for your journal.
You can even scan barcoded foods for quick entry.
Plan your meals a week in advance, use the app to help.
Do it a meal at a time, a day at a time
Be kind to yourself
Take care of yourself, Michael. I also know from personal experience that focusing on doodoo makes one feel like doodoo. I, too, have been making some positive changes to get rid of some of that excrement. Thanks for your honesty and encouragement to bury the doodoo.
Grendal,
Thanks…I did get a dispensation from the doc for the occasional adult beverage and Mexican Coke. 🙂
Julie Anne…thank you.
We who have controversial websites can get buried in stuff and we have to learn to be really intentional about our focus.
Make those changes…before you have to.
Keep doing the good work…
G forgot a major culprit.
Never ever ever put aspartame (nutrasweet) into your body. Ever.
No gum, no candy, no soda. Nothing. Ever.
And no cigarettes.
That too
Michael, as someone who cares for you and has known you for over a decade, I am telling you as an older sister that you are way too young to be having these old man ailments. Diabetes II is next on the list if you don’t make drastic changes now. This is more important than Driscoll or the Smith family. If you want to be alive when Trey is a teen and will really need you, even more than he needs you now, you have to take this seriously.
My recommendations:
1. If PPhx is a stressor, shut it down.
2. Find some kind of hobby that does not involve the internet. Gardening? Hiking?
3. If you still want to blog, blog about your road to recovery. It will inspire others.
4. Find a decent dietary regimen and stick to it as if your life depended on it because it does. (I recommend the DASH diet for your particular ailments.)
5. Quit smoking, if you haven’t already. Probably the most important thing you can do.
6, Eat at home, mostly simple meals of fish, chicken and veggies. No fast food, ever.
7. Don’t drink very much alcohol. I suspect red wine is better for you than Kahlua.
8. Walk a lot.
I have a friend who has done this and has cured her diabetes II and lost 90 pounds and goes hiking now. She’s 70 years old.
Do. Or do not. There is no try. – Yoda
Xenia
Lost 25 pounds in the last 6 by changing my diet and I can walk 15miles a week.Yes I’m fighting type 2 diabetes.Blood pressure 118-70……tomorrow I turn 55.
I have to agree with Xenia, along with guitarman and London’s words, Michael. I have the same lung & TIA challenges and tend toward pre-diabetes. All coming to a head in my mid-50s. Now at 61 I feel better than in decades and have more hope that I might be around to see my grandson’s graduate from high school & beyond. Maybe even be a great granny someday! At the very least, you might consider just publishing the blog w/o comments open. I’ll be the number of people who read & don’t comment is greater. And change your email address giving it only to those you want to hear from not a bad idea. After all these years, I confess I would go through major withdrawal if PP weren’t around but not nothing like the grief we would all feel if you were to leave us prematurely. Trusting ultimately you will discover what course of actions works best for you and yours. Such good news about your doc! Yay!
Xenia, Anne…thanks for the kind words.
We’ve got a new plan to get better and hopefully I’ll work the plan faithfully.
The PHX P is a major stressor at times…and we have plans to transition out of what we’ve been to something else within the year.
Dude…keep it going ,my friend.
Michael, As another who cares for you deeply I hope you consider things that have been shared already regarding your health. Around here there are many gyms opening where you can join for $10 a month. If there’s something like that available near you you might want to check it out. A final suggestion…. just hand the blog off to MLD for a spell!! 🙂
Michael,
I’m not much of a prayin’ man. Never have been. In my opinion and in the context of Ecclesiastes 5:1-3, it’s a lot of empty rigamarole. But for you it’s different, I’m a prayin’ man. Good men are few in this world and you are certainly numbered among them.
MP,
Thank you, sir.
You think more highly of me than you should, but I do appreciate it.
Michael,
I believe that goodness is goodness and that it should be celebrated. I’d say the same about you if you were a Rabbi, a Muslim Imam, or a Jesuit. To me goodness does not have to be sanctioned by any particular theology or religion.
Michael,
Thanks for being so open. I would hate to lose the Phx P site- it has helped me through some spiritually dry times- but you are replaceable for all of us readers. You are NOT replaceable for your family.
If this site can’t be changed into something that lifts you up and helps you along in life, then maybe it is time to say good bye. Family first, brother, and I ain’t talkin’ about your extended family of Christians around the world. Redefine the site if you must and set strict boundaries on all who contribute (from guest bloggers to comment-makers).
Do whatever it takes to reduce that stress level. It’s time to get healthier, says the guy who needs to lose 80 pounds. (So much easier for me to advise others)
Wow. Scary stuff Michael…. I had no idea…. but am glad you saw a doc you trust…
Lots of very good advice from many who care deeply about you in this thread. Hope you can make good use of it. The body is quite able to be well when given the right tools.
Good word about not focusing on doo doo…. absolutely… One good thing about poo is, it does make good fertilizer for gardens, when appropriately applied. Gardening = the real ‘oldest’ profession. Biblically speaking, of course. 🙂
Love and prayers…..
I’m not even sure this is the right place to post this or not….but…
This article is about my friend Erin who is an amazing woman who is a personal hero of mine.
We met online years ago on a blog of a Christian photographer.
She has gone on to do amazing photographic and humanitarian work.
She’s currently in Iraq with some friends teaching photography to young adults.
Their group has also “adopted” 23 refugee families and are helping feed and care for them every week.
It’s people like Erin that keep me from seeing the poo in the road and help give me hope the light will win against the darkness every time.
Please keep her, her friends, and these families in your prayers.
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014/09/16/eating-niagara-port-colborne-woman-helping-in-iraq
I’m not sure who the woman in the photo is
Glad your back in the good doc’s care!
I cracked up at your analogy.
I recently watched a documentary of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone park.
In their long absence the deer multiplied and drastically altered the ecosystem.
All kinds of species were missing because the deer overgrazed the plants that they needed.
As the wolves brought back balance and the deer herds were culled of the weak and sick, the vegetation and trees started returning.
Which attracted bird life and other animals.
Soon even the erosion stopped because there was ground cover and streams maintained a stabilized course.
Perfect balance was restored because of the wolves.
Into every life a little rain must fall.
What seems to be a bad thing (wolves) can often times actually be a good thing.
Your current health issue which was scary and frightening restored you into the care of the doctor who has your trust and best interest at heart.
Ok…I don’t do analogys like you..lol
But you get my point.
Love you and look forward to many more years of your ministry brother Michael.
Transient ischemic attacks will be had by most in later years. No biggey unless you are very young. If the Dr. didn’t give you blood thinners it doesn’t hurt to take a baby aspirin or low dose adult aspirin everyday to keep the blood less viscous. Older parent experience I have.
Michael, I’m so glad you and your doctor are working on a plan to regain your health. I haven’t posted a lot lately….some of the articles are such that if I post, I’ll likely say something I will probably regret, so I keep my “fingers” off the keyboard and pray. Just wanted you to know I am praying for you and reading every day. This community is important to me, but your health is more important. Do what you need to do. God bless you.