I finished up my labs, tests, and doctor's appointment. The coronary artery calcium test (CAC) came back at 130 (a non-negative result that usually results in a statin recommendation at my age and gender. My cholesterol was reduced, but my LDL (the bad cholesterol) wasn't reduced enough to avoid the statin recommendation. So, at age 65, I'm on my first medication, designed to reduce LDL cholesterol and hopefully avoid additional narrowing of the arteries.
The good news is that my doctor says I'm doing well overall and don't have to come back for 12 more months. I asked him whether I might have overdone the weight loss, and he doesn't think so. He said that Americans are just used to being obese (he's a Chinese skinny guy) and that I'm at the weight he thinks I should be at. Well, I hadn't been into the doctor for years for a general health check, so this is done, and I'm going to get back to living, while trying to keep my weight stable where it's at.
We are settling back into southern Arizona. Our Grand Canyon backpacking trip in November has been cancelled because Bright Angel Campground is simply gone after a terrible flood that took the lives of three people. So our rim to river hike goes back on the bucket list TBD as to when.
I'm back to playing pickleball most days, and Julia and I went to watch the Pro tournament in Mesa a week or so ago. It was fun being up close and personal to the players we see on tv. Because pro pickleball is so new, access to the players is very easy. I'd much rather watch pro pickleball than pro football, basketball, etc, which I've largely given up interest in.
The wildlife is out this time of year in Tucson. Multiple sightings of rattlesnakes, javelina and bobcats. No pictures though. The sunsets do a better job of standing still.
3 comments:
I figured that rim-to-rim trip was off. Too bad. Will you get special concideration once the trail is opened up again?
I did a bit of research into red yeast rice as an alternative to prescribed statins for The Wife, (My sister has successfully lowered her ldl with it), but since the active component is identical to prescribed statins with the same side effects but without Pard-D coverage, we decided against going thay way.
No special consideration. Back to the general lottery. They did offer to try to fit us into a different campground but it would have been at higher elevation, and we wouldn't have been able to get down to the river where evaluation and reconstruction is ongoing.
Most people don't have side effects with statins, and so far I haven't had any either. I have a very limited placeholder Part D coverage (Wellcare) which has no monthly premium. Then I go to Costco or use coupons for my prescription which is way cheaper than more expensive Part D coverage with higher monthly premiums. I've heard the Wellcare premium is going up next year to $5-$6 dollars/month.
You are correct that wellcare goes up to about $5.50 next year. Now that I'm off the blood-thinner my drug costs have been $0 this year on my $0 Wellcare plan and it looks like they will still be $0 - after premiums -next year. It depends on what tier your drugs fall into.
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