NOTES FROM MEMO PAD....

by OLIVENE GODFREY

In about a week, I will see the blood specialist about the blood tests I had with my family doctor regarding my anemia. I also have an appointment this week with my eye doctor to check my left eye which has been bothering me. Meanwhile, life goes on....

For sometime son Barry and I have considered signing up for a medical alert system for me as I am home alone a lot. Barry did some research recently on the Internet of various systems and decided on one that could be right for me. We are in the process now of getting me signed up for a program for my security and peace of mind. A representative of the alert system will call in a day or so to discuss any questions I have regarding the service. I will let you know what develops on this matter.

Since I haven't been well for several weeks, I have got behind on my cleaning chores. Barry does the heavy housecleaning and I try to take care of the lighter jobs. Dusting furniture and my bric a brac in all the rooms except Barry's media room, takes a lot of time. I hadn't dusted in a couple of weeks and I was worried about it. So one recent day, Barry dusted his bedroom and my bedroom which seems to show dust worse than any room. He also cleaned the mirrors and changed the sheets on both beds, taking a load off my mind. I thank God every day that I have Barry fora son. Without his help, I couldn't continue living at home.

Growing older, especially for those of us who do have health problems means too often we find ourselves having to give up certain things we enjoy. For instance, I had always enjoyed buying groceries. And it has been hard to realize I am unable to continue to do that. Barry often says now that he doesn't know how I used to do so much at home and with my various writing jobs. I was healthier and younger then but it was still a lot of work.

Barry and I have been discussing our Thanksgiving day dinner. He says that preparing our traditional turkey dinner is too tiring for just the two of us. So we are considering eating our Thanksgiving dinner this year at a restaurant. We may invite a friend to eat out with us.

See you next time.

Waiting FOR APPOINTMENT WITH BLOOD SPECIALIST NERVE-WRACKING

By OLIVENE GODFREY

I have an appointment in about a week with a hematologist blood specialist- to check the blood test I had a few days ago at my family doctor's office. Barry did some research and the doctor's credentials are impressive. Barry and I are worried about what is wrong with my blood. My gut is giving me fits.
Fear of the unknown causes me to worry more than anything.

In Barry's research about anemia we found out there are more than 400 type of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia, the most common type, is very treatable with diet changes and iron supplements. Red blood cells can be lost through bleeding which can occur slowly over a long period of time and can often go undetected. Gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the stomach, and cancer can fit in the descriptions of anemia caused by blood loss. Anemia can also be caused by decreased or faulty red blood production or anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells.

My favorite hymn."In The Garden",and I often think of the words of this song when I have a problem. It goes, "I come to the garden alone..while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses, And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And he tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known."

Please remember me in your prayers.

See you next time.

Medical report.

By OLIVENE GODFREY

I was sick all during the Labor day weekend and went to my family doctor on Tuesday afternoon. I was finally recovering from a nasty cold but I was having breathing and didn't have an appetite and had a bad taste in my mouth, plus some other aches and pains relating to my condition. A cold can cause a COPD flare up. That was what happened to me. The doctor had an ex-ray and a blood test. The diagnoses was that I had thrush,which is yeast infection caused, in my case, by my Advare inhaler which I can't do without. Also, I have anemia again. I had it a couple of years ago and starting taking iron pills. But, lately, I have been so tired .
The doctor prescribed two powerful antibiotics and said they had to get me well from the thrush and then would decide what to do about the anemia. She said I may need to be checked by a blood specialist. I have just enough of the antibiotics for a week. The doctor will check me again in a few days and then decide what to do about the anemia.

Since I got old, every time I turn around, I have another ailment. I HATE old age.

I will keep you posted about my condition. I am feeling miserable today and I think it is caused by the strong antibiotics I am taking.

See you next time.

QUICK ENTRY REGARDING MY HEALTH

This is a quick entry to let you know that I am having a rough time of it. I am about over the nasty cold but the ragweeds blooms have sent the pollen count sky wards and that has made me sick plus a lingering cough. If that wasn't bad enough, I am suffering from a horrendous episode of my Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Barry has a long Labor Day weekend and has gone out to lunch with a friend today and we had hoped to go out tomorrow for lunch. But,I will have to snap back quickly if I am able to go out. I have been sick a couple of weeks and would like to get out soon. Please remember me in your prayers.

See you soon, I hope.

Olivene