Yearly Physical

I was looking forward to this because I had several questions for my doctor. First of all, I like this doctor, a general practitioner, a female who also does my gynecological checkup. She remembers me and is aware of the challenges I face. I am totally honest with her and she is the same. Example being that on my 60th birthday, when I asked how she felt about me skydiving, she would not tell me no; but she did say that the condition of my bones was so frail, that if I did do it and ended up breaking something, my recovery would be harder than it would be of a person with healthy bones. It was enough to discourage me.

That being said, I was happy at the outcome. Blood pressure 118/70, weight 138.6, (amazingly exactly what it was on my last monthly weigh in). I did have high cholesterol and when I asked what causes it, she said genetics. She also said that with my weight and low blood pressure, plus my good HDL was high, I didn’t have to worry about it. I questioned my belly fat and she responded, “welcome to menopause,” I did think it was a bit dismissive, but happy nonetheless.

I wondered why she didn’t do an EKG, which I thought was part of a physical, yet I didn’t ask. I know that if I asked, she would have said if I wanted one, she would do it. I told her about the weakness and numbness in my left arm and she said to revisit it with my MS doctor. I also told her about the sporadic cough I have and she thought it could be caffeine intake or an acid reflux. She did a pap smear and wrote an Rx for a mammogram. I asked about receiving the the flu shot and updated COVID-19 booster. I received both.