The aftermath of the return of the lab rat.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about...

Well, I did it.  I cast aside the macho, arrogant medical daredevil and faced the music at the clinic where my adult medical odyssey began and instead of having to surrender a vial of blood and a cup of urine to the lab I was strapped into the blood pressure cuff and went on a ride.  I was well prepared to prostrate myself before the altar of high blood sugar and beg for forgiveness but once again, life threw me the curve ball.

While I am quite sure a date with a hypodermic needle full of insulin is in my future there is a much more insidious demon coursing through my veins...the kissing cousin of diabetes: high blood pressure.

Once again, I have my beloved father to thank for the family history that made me a prime candidate for the "silent killer".  It's not a blame game thing though.  He may have given me the family history, but it was ultimately in control when it's all said and done.  Like with my diabetes, I have no symptoms...no blurred vision, no headaches or dizziness.  I am what the nurse yesterday called "one of the silent ones".  When I heard the numbers the meter read, 204/106, the light came on in my brain.  It's time to change yourself before it's too late.  A friend of mine suffered a stroke in 2011 that is related to his diabetes and hypertension.  

With all due respect to my dear friend, for me, there's way too much at stake for me to go out like that.  I have burdened my family way too much over the last four years since my last major medical event.  

As of tomorrow, I'm back on the wagon.  Five oral medications, a few taken twice a day, plus multiple finger sticks are forthcoming.  I can't be a salty fellow anymore, which is difficult because it occurs in nature like sugar, and basically it's time to purify my body.  It's long overdue.  When I tell people that I'm not getting any younger people tell me 44 isn't old and I have plenty of time.  

Considering the close friend of mine who suffered the stroke, there are two others are battling cancer, and that a close friend of mine died a year ago, you have to wonder how true that is.  While nearly 45 years are on this old chassis of mine, it's not long enough to fulfill what I came here to do.  I urge everyone who reads this blog entry to take heed of what your body may be telling you and do what you need to do.

Live is long.  As long as you want...don't mess it up.