28 June 2023
Had an endocrinologist appointment this morning at 10 am. The nurse took me in around 9:40 and took my vitals. In conversation (she knew about my cancer diagnosis) she asked who my new hematologist/oncologist was and when I told her, she had worked with him at the Breast Cancer Institute many years ago. Small world. She really liked him and admitted to having a crush. She says he’s very empathetic.
Now I get to quiz the new guy if he remembers her and then get to tease both of them about the crush. Life is good!
Normally, I always schedule the endocrinologist for the first afternoon appointment. I’ve learned he likes to spend time with his patients and if you are the second or third appointment, he is always running late. I had to cancel that particular appointment due to diarrhea and could only get the second appointment for this morning. He was only an hour late but I didn’t mind. He’s always late to the others after my appointment so I didn’t begrudge being late to this one after I made him late to so many others.
As I mentioned previously, my blood work was all over the place with high A1c, high white blood cell count, liver enzymes high, kidney function low, etc. that he decided not to fool with my current diabetes medications and simply retest me in three months. We talked more about my cancer diagnosis than we did diabetes. He kept trying to build my confidence in the surgery and the outcome and I appreciated it. He also suggested I ask for a hospital stay for a day or two since I live alone. He also reinforced the idea of home health care to tend to the drains and to change the bandages. He said Medicare should pay for that. That’s the type physician he is – he goes the extra mile with concern and advice.
He did mention that if I consistently test high in the 160-200 range for glucose any length of time to call him and he’ll add another drug to my metformin but not to be too upset if my glucose spikes for a few days.
After leaving the endocrinologist, I headed to CVS to finally pick up my prescription form of Lomotil. Holy Cross, when they prescribed it, specified a liquid. That had to be special ordered and it’s taken from 13 June until 28 June for it to come in. It cost a whopping $60. I’ll ask my primary to write a prescription for the pills which should be much cheaper and much easier to take.
The contractor texted me while at the doctor’s office and said he was at my house finishing the stucco. It looks good. He just stopped by to drop off some baseboard for the vestibule and to check there was no cracking in the stucco. He was in a talkative mood. He thinks he can finish up by next week everything that needs to be done on the outside and inside.
When we first met and he learned about my breast cancer, he admitted to feeling a lump in one of his breasts. His girlfriend insured he got checked out and he eventually had an ultrasound. The doctor cleared him of breast cancer and I’m glad he got it checked out. He mentioned that his Mom’s boyfriend had to also get checked out. Seems to be going around a lot.
Tomorrow, I take Tom in for his second knee surgery. I’ll drop him off at Holy Cross and another friend will pick him up in the afternoon after the surgery. They get you in and out in a hurry these days.
At least the diarrhea has abated for the last two days. My appetite is stronger and I seem to be more open to more different foods other than bananas, although I still have them every morning. Officially, I’ve lost 3 pounds. I think it was actually 5 but since I’ve been better with my appetite, I think I’ve gained a few of those back – or simply haven’t pooped it out yet.
June has been a very rainy month even as the rainiest month of the year in Florida. Our normal rainfall in Fort Lauderdale in June is 6″. The South Florida Water Management District reports that from January to June 2023 Broward county as had 38.99 inches of rain which is 165% of the normal and we are now 15.33 inches ahead of normal for the six month period. For June (with three more days to go) we’ve had 10.93 inches which is 147% of normal with 3.48 inches ahead of normal – and – it looks like it will rain this afternoon.
I suspect when the data are in, we’ll find June broke records again for highest temperatures. Humidity in Broward is normally around 74% in June in which is sometimes described as “sticky.” Nice euphemism.
Stay tuned!