Day of Doctors: Lasik Follow-On, Too Sick For Words, Cholesterol Drops, and So On

What a hell of a week last week was!  I started getting sick last Saturday afternoon and, minus a brief pause Monday, felt horrible right on through to lunchtime Thursday.  Finally, Wednesday afternoon, I gave in and called the doctor.  Thursday morning he said I had a respiratory infection, prescribed antibiotics, and it was then off to see the eye doctor for my one-month follow-on.

Lasik Update

At the eye doctor, the verdict was that my eyes are improving as they heal.  If I recall what she said correctly, my eyes were 20/50 and 20/60 as of my last visit; this visit I was 20/20 and 20/50.  That's all good and well but the test I'm using is how things look to me in everyday life and I'm not as convinced.  The things that I look at everyday from the same distance and perspective (the television; the Metro "next train" sign; things like that), are not nearly as crisp, clear, or, sometimes, even in focus at all.  I'm still frustrated and not pleased with the result but I'm also still withholding final judgement.  But, I didn't imagine that, a month on, I'd be worse off than I was when I had my contact lenses.

Tackling My Cholesterol Issue

On a brighter topic, while I was at the regular doctor I asked him to check my cholesterol.  Two physicals ago he told me that my cholesterol level was "elevated" and needed my attention; last physical he told me that it was "high; borderline."  Again, I needed to change my diet and better watch what I ate.  In January we decided to clear foods with animal products out of the house and transition to a vegan diet, which we did by mid-January.

One month on, my cholesterol has dropped 74 points!  Amazing.  That's my overall cholesterol but my LDL number, the "bad" cholesterol, has dropped a whopping 46 points.  Now, my cholesterol is totally within the normal range and not a concern at all.  In one month.  One month!  I've heard of similar--or better--results from other people.  It really makes me wonder why people won't at least try to reduce their cholesterol through diet.  I understand that it doesn't work for everyone but the percentage of people it does work for is apparently very high.

I was interested that the doctor didn't ask what changes I'd made to get the number down so much but I suppose, late on a Friday afternoon, he's got other things to think about.  For me, it's empowering to know that I can really make such a difference in my own health and can really take control of at least some parts of my health through lifestyle changes.  Of course, all of the wonderful dishes Philip has been fixing most nights has helped immensely.  A little will power and delicious food is the answer!

The August Vegan

August as in the month, not its other definition, that is.

I decided that, for the month of August, I'd go animal-product free.  The decision was impromptu, nudged along by a week in Dallas during which I was so sick of heavy, meat-filled meals.  With a cruise coming in September, I knew I'd be eating lots of heavy, rich foods on the ship, so I figured I'd give it a whirl.

I've done a vegan diet for a week or two here and there, which is honestly no problem at all.  I wondered at the beginning of the month if I'd crave anything specific and if I'd be able to stick to my goal.  I did, and without much effort or unmanageable cravings.  The most difficult of the four weeks was the second week, after I'd become bored with my newly-limited choices in the cafeteria at work and the month seemed to have so many days left in it.

I can't say that I really felt any different or lost any weight.  But, then again, I didn't weigh in to check, nor did I adopt any other lifestyle changes I would if I try this again.  I incorporated no exercise and I made no changes that I know would help me (like going to bed at a regular hour).  And, the kitchen at home wasn't really ready for my snap decision, which makes a huge difference.

If I go animal-free for a period in future, I will have a plan together and try for a couple of months to see what changes I notice.  I'd be sure the kitchen was well-stocked with the right foods, have recipes ready, take my lunch to work every day, set aside time to exercise, and force myself to bed early enough to ensure eight full hours of sleep every night.  Perhaps those changes are more of a challenge than the diet!