Yes, I've been put to the test today and I must say, so far so good on the results. I had to go the long way around to get them done, but the ride to Starke was pleasant enough. Knowing I was running low on my blood pressure medication and needed to see the doctor before she would refill them, I still dilly-dallied in making the appointment with Lifeline Screening to have my blood work done. This is the company I use for the lab work because they are cheaper than going elsewhere. Lifeline offers many more tests than only the blood work but initially I just asked for that portion of their services.
The closest I could get to home was a 45 minute ride into the next county on a Saturday morning, after an 8 hour fast. I had offered Justin the opportunity to take me but he had made plans already for the day with his friend, so I drove myself. Me, and the GPS built into my phone. I left home about an hour ahead of my appointment to allow for travel and some margin for error, my own, not the GPS's. With no problems I found the place, the Women's Club of Starke, which was on a quaint bricked street 'in town'. A nice building, too.
I got myself situated with the paperwork to complete, where I promptly missed a page and had to go back to the desk for the clipboard again. Nuts! The receptionist up-sold me on another test or two which I did wish to get but didn't know they offered. With my blood draw they could check my kidney and liver function, which is good information to have. As I waited my turn, it occurred to me that I was messing up by not having the complete work up done as long as I was there and had fasted. I went to the desk once again and asked her if it would be problem for me to have all the tests. Assured it would not be problem, they had only 25 patients scheduled, she told me I would simply be there longer, which was okay with me. I up-sold myself!
So, I had my barrage of tests, checking arteries all over my body for good flow, checking on the density of my bones, and the blood work. The rest of the tests I had plus the liver/kidney tests will come by mail, but the blood work printout was given to me before I left. I was a smidge high on the blood sugar test but the nurse assured me it was low compared to everyone else she'd tested that day. Good! My other readings for cholesterol and such were well within parameters (yay!). I had my printout to share with my doctor for my appointment on Monday so I was good to resume normal activity. I'd been watching my consumption more closely for the week prior, though had some wonderful beef brisket yesterday. Thankful that didn't show up on my triglyceride numbers!
When I got to my car about two hours after arriving, I immediately popped open my Diet Coke to enjoy during my ride back to town. I will still be watching myself until my appointment on Monday is behind me. But I sure was hungry when I got home. Leftovers take care of it. Glad to have passed my tests thus far and pray for good results on the rest of them when they come.
