Holy mackerel, Batman. I got the sledgehammer put down on me today. I went to the doctor for a bump on my neck, right behind my ear, and got more than I bargained for. The bump was just an infection for which he gave me two antibiotics to take. But he took my blood pressure and it was, I hope you’re sitting down, 160/100. Hello….stroke waiting to happen! UGH!  He said he wants to see me again in about 10 days to check on my ear and to take my blood pressure again. When I went in September, my bp was up a smidge, truly not much, but this time it was up a lot! He told me to check it at those machines you see at stores, said they’re actually pretty accurate. Then told me to come back again in three months to let them check it in the office. He said, “You’re young enough (did I mention I really like this doctor :)) that you can turn it around”. So, I got the sledgehammer/kick in the pants I needed to get busy and get serious with this lifestyle change. He said with regular exercise (3-5) times a week and healthy eating habits, I should be able to tell a difference in my bp in a month. So, you can bet your bottom I’ll be at the Y in the morning!

Along with all this, I got in a…..tiff, let’s say, with my DH. When I found out what my bp was, I almost cried. My mom dealt with health problems for as long as I can remember and unfortunately, some of them were self induced b/c she didn’t take care of herself. I literally prayed, oh, Lord, please don’t let me turn into my mom. Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved my mom and she was the godliest woman I’ve ever known. I wish everyday to be as good a person as she was. However, I do NOT want to have her poor health and her poor habits. I don’t know if she would have lived longer but she would have lived better. So, I had all these thoughts and emotions bumping around in my head when I told my DH and I was looking for a reassuring hug, a pat, a “we’ll make it through together” type response. Instead I get, well, you know what to do. Just do it. Ticked…..me…..off, let me tell you. I found out later that he just responded out of his own fear of losing me. We’re okay now but I wanted to rip his head off. There now you don’t have to worry about YOUR bp.

So, the clock is set. I’ve told my daughter that I AM going to the Y in the morning. Gotta be careful not to let this bring me down to the point of giving up. I can do it. I’ve got to do it. Thanks for your encouragement. It helps so much just to have a place to vent. Have a blessed day.