My Journey With Weight Loss – A New Year So Time For Some Medical Check Ups

And the training has begun. Yesterday was a nice 5k run and the rain held off while I was running. Today was an 8k and it was drizzling a bit as I started out but nothing too bad. My game plan was down the hill to the beach, run the promenade to west beach and then double back. I have done this run many times before and know it works out to exactly 8k. However, today as I was just about at the pier I could hear the train coming up behind me. I sprinted but to no avail, the crossing lights started flashing which means I have lost the race. In order to not lose momentum I opted to run along the pier (I don’t like running on the pier when it is raining as the wooden deck tends to be slippery). I then decided to head back towards home and add a few blocks on and hopefully it would work out to 8k. I was pretty close as the total run was 7.9k and I will take that.

When the new year comes around I know it is time to start doing all my medical check ups. As a diabetic it is really important that I have my health fully checked each year (this is on top of quarterly A1C tests and a semi-annual check in with my doctor). All my appointments are starting this month.

Yesterday was a follow up with the podiatrist who said my feet are in excellent shape and that the corn I had previously is completely gone. I mentioned the training for the 1/2 marathon and he gave me some advice on footcare and my running shoes. At the end of the appointment he said he didn’t feel he needed to see me again unless I have an issues develop especially while I am in training.

Friday this week is the optometrist. It is extremely important that diabetics get their eyes tested annually. There are 2 eye issues associated with diabetes, glaucoma which is pressure on the eye that can lead to blindness and the more common retinopathy which is when the veins in the retina hemorrhage which can also lead to blindness. My Dad actually lost all of the sight in one eye due to a massive retinal hemorrhage and when that happens it is not repairable. Fortunately for me I have not shown any signs of retinopathy and having stable glucose levels helps significantly lower the risk but I am pretty adamant about having my eyes checked each year.

I am scheduled to have my annual physical next month. Again, this is so important for diabetics as you are checked for all the potential risks from diabetes. Now here is where I will rant a little. As part of my annual physical my doctor has pretty much every standard blood/urine test performed. This is important as it looks at things such as cholesterol levels and the ever important kidney functionality but also for signs of any other issues. Normally I have these tests run with my A1C at the beginning of February but to do so I need the lab requisition. In the past I have just called the doctor’s office and they email me the requisition. This time they insisted that I actually have an appointment with my doctor to request the requisition. While I have that appointment booked for next week I do find this to be a waste of time for my doctor. The bloodwork is pretty standard every year and nothing has changed since last year so I just don’t understand why this extra appointment is necessary.

My final check up of the year is a mammogram. I do a screening mammogram each year as I am considered high risk owing to the fact my Mom had breast cancer. Normally this would be done the beginning of February but last year due to COVID my appointment didn’t happen until June so it will be the same this year. Too bad as I really like getting all of this over with as early in the year as possible.

The bottom line is I make sure to have the professionals check on my health and not just wait until I think something is really wrong. Remember, it is so important to have all of your medical professionals a part of your weight loss/fitness journey.