Just thought I’d jot down a few things to do with my health; really for my benefit to record where I’m at.
Kidneys
Looking pretty good, I am happy to say. Every 10 weeks or so, I have some blood tests and a chat with a consultant at the hospital. The last few chats have been by phone (because of COVID) and this is absolutely fine, although I do have to pop in for the blood tests a week beforehand.
My eGFR has increased and this is good news – this is the headline performance of my kidneys. The consultant was at pains to say my kidneys are not healing themselves, since the damage is permanent. Having said that, there are fluctuations and the latest was at the high point of the wiggly line on the graph. Better than heading downwards.
All other readings were considered “reasonable”.
He asked about my blood pressure, which I keep an eye on and, just in case you weren’t aware, our kidneys have a major influence on our blood pressure. I said it was creeping up and was typically around 130/90. He said it wasn’t horrendous but should, nevertheless, be lowered. Now I am to take my blood pressure readings sitting down and then standing up (after waiting 20 seconds for the pressure to settle). If my blood pressure is above 130/80, then I should take an extra tablet. So far I have needed the extra tablet and it brings side effects of palpations where I occasionally feel my heart beating hard and where my head swirls a little at times.
Once again I get a copy of the letter he sends to my GP. This time he remarked on what a pleasure it was to speak with me again.
Urology
My six monthly appointment came around recently, again by telephone. As it’s now several months since I had any infection, it seemed fairly straight forward.
He asked for a PSA test to be done. Not urgent, just next time I’m at the hospital for renal blood tests. He is expecting my “PSA result to be minimal but we just need to check”. Hopefully I can be discharged.
As usual he then writes to my GP and copies me in, always saying what a nice bloke I am. I just wonder if these indirect compliments are a code for something?
Plantar fasciitis
Oh no! I am sure I have the dreaded plantar fasciitis. This is damage to the tendon which wraps around the heel. Initially just on my left foot and now both feet together – talk about OH NO!
The cause? Over use, most likely. Probably me neglecting stretching has not helped – I feel so stiff at times.
The cure? Time, mostly, or at least that’s what I gather from Dr Google. I do sometimes run my foot up and down over a rolling pin when I’m watching TV. I think this helps but I’m not completely sure.
This plantar business has had the effect of my feet being too painful to run, although I did have a 7 mile run with my friend Jon last week which brought that day’s step count to almost 23,000. My feet haven’t completely recovered and I could feel myself struggling to keep up with Jon. Jon and I are a similar age and build, though he’s a little taller. In previous years we have been evenly matched but nowadays he’s a lot fitter than me. My previous run was a whole month before, so I have become out of shape quite quickly but I do console myself that I could still manage the 7 mile run itself, even if we walked up a hill.
I do miss running. I miss the buzz it gives me and the loving rush of the Runner’s High afterwards – all those endorphins! I miss being able to gobble as much food as I like and not put any weight on. I might have to dust my bike off instead! There is even scope to improvise a little gym in the back garage.
Flu vaccine
I called our local pharmacy today, asking if I could pop in for a flu jab.
“Apologies, Sir, we’ve run out and we don’t know when we will have any more. Probably best to ring around other pharmacies….”
This is so frustrating! I don’t want flu and I certainly don’t want to share it with Grandma, if she ever comes home.
Reflections
I retired a little over two years ago, when I was 56. One of my aims was to get really fit again, like I had been a couple of years before. I was very lean and my muscles were more defined and I was about 9 pounds lighter. I could run most days without too many problems, although I needed a day off after a long run. Now I am feeling older, I need more time to heal and recover and I still struggle with a kind of denial about this.
With us in these COVID times and the NHS is inevitably going to struggle, I am reminded of how I am responsible for my own health. The NHS (good as it is) is not really there to repair me from neglect. I can’t help feeling that what I do now, at 58, will have a bearing on my future health.
And I mustn’t beat myself up either. When I ran that 7 miles with Jon, while I should have done better, not every 58 year old can simply go for a 7 mile run, even a slow run on flat terrain. But I do feel as if I must start again and regain my fitness, although I’m not very good when it comes to juggling lots of different demands on my time. Note to self…..
Footnote: a post from 2018 about how I’m meant to feel at 56 seems to be getting a lot of hits these days, not sure why. Even for myself, it’s helpful to look back on these old posts to re-orientate myself now.