COQ10 AND ENERGY, GOOD DENTAL REPORT AND AWFUL WEATHER

January 30, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey
A few weeks ago, I was given a booster shot as my anemia was active again, and I had little energy.  I am not feeling any better yet.  I have an appointment with my primary care doctor and may have my blood checked again when I see her in a few days.
Son Barry takes COQ10, a vitamin like substance used in the energy production process of body cells.  The substance is believed to be beneficial for the elderly.
Our doctor advised Barry to take COQ10 and he says he has lots of energy now.  COQ10 supplements are believed to lower blood pressure, extend life span, lower risk of heart related events and heart health.
I plan to ask my doctor about taking the COQ10.  Since I have a variety of prescription medicines, I want the doctor's opinion about taking COQ10.
If any readers have taken COQ10, I would like their input about it.
I had an appointment with my dentist this week for cleaning and X-rays of my teeth.  I got a good report and am so grateful I still have my own teeth.
I haven't bought any new clothes in years and Barry has been scolding me for wearing thread bare tops this winter.  I did have three sweatshirts that are very old.  So, last weekend he bought three pretty warm sweatshirts which were on sale.  I'm enjoying wearing them and being warm.
As I write this, the weather is awful and earlier today we had a tornado warning, and our power blinked several times.  It's still raining, and Tam is on her way home.  I'm praying she has a safe trip and that Barry will be home soon.
See you next time.  (As told to Tam)

CAN YOU BELIEVE "HOT FLASHES" AT 85 YEARS OLD?

January 23, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey
Suddenly, without warning, I feel a sensation of a wave of heat passing over my body, and my face flushes as if set on fire.  Sounds like a menopausal "hot flash".  A moment later, sweat pours all over my face and my cheeks are scarlet.
I'm 85 years old and this has been happening to me fairly often.
I told Tam I may have lived so long I'm having a second menopause.  When she stopped laughing, she said, "surely not".  But, she had no explanation for the sensation.  It's embarrassing to have one of these spells in public.  I've asked my doctor about this flushing and she said it could be a lot of different things, nothing serious.
My rascal son Barry has made several pictures of me with my red face that looks like I got carried away with the blush.  Then, he posts the picture on his facebook page.  He says it makes me look healthy.  He says he gets comments of how good I look in the pictures.  It's all pretty weird!
See you next time.  (As told to Tam)
Comments welcome

SON BARRY HAS GANGLION CYST IN HIS WRIST AND REMEMBERING JOYCE

January 17, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

Son Barry has had intense pain in his left wrist for several weeks.  Finally, he made an appointment with his doctor and had his wrist x-rayed.  The diagnosis was a ganglion cyst.

An outdated method of treating a ganglion cyst was to strike the lump with a large heavy book, causing the cyst to rupture and drain into the surrounding tissue.  Since almost every home owned a Bible and it was often the largest book in the home, this is what was commonly used, which led to the nickname of "Bible bump" or "Gideon's".

Barry will see a specialist soon to determine if he needs surgery, or if to do nothing at all.  I had one of these cyst years ago in one of my wrists and finally it just went away.

Barry is still having a lot of pain in his wrist.  I'll keep you posted on his condition in this space as he will also on his facebook page.

My sister-in-law, Joyce who was such a wonderful person, passed away recently.  She will be missed by her family and a host of friends.

The last time I saw her was several years ago.  We were both widowed, and she called to tell me she was coming over from her home in N.E. Georgia and bringing a "picnic" for our lunch.  Our sister-in-law, Agnes, came with her.  We all ate the delicious food and laughed and talked and had such a good time as we made a precious memory.

See you next time.  (As told to Tam)

I HAD BOOSTER SHOT FOR MY ANEMIA TUESDAY AND RANDOM THOUGHTS

January 10, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey
I had a booster shot for my anemia Tuesday and hope to feel stronger soon.  Last week I told you that since I was diagnosed with inflammation and chronic disease anemia I had been having a blood test each month.
Last year I had a blood transfusion which gave me a lot of energy.  I have continued to have a blood test every month.  Recently, I had little energy and I had a blood test and I was eligible for a booster shot.  I had a communication problem with my primary care doctor and blood doctor's offices.  But, it was solved and Tuesday I was given a booster shot and an appointment with the very nice blood doctor.
It will take a while for me to start feeling chipper again and I look forward to being my old self, with a lot of energy.
We are having a lot of rain which is suppose to be with us off and on for the next week.  I need a haircut but guess I'll need to wait for a dry day.  Tam's daughter, Carrie, is a hair stylist in Dalton and she gives me really good haircuts.
During the recent Christmas holiday, Tam brought us a goodie bag of delicious "fattening" sweets.  Also, my sis, Jeanette gave us a container of her famous chocolate fudge.  I tried to restrain myself, but I just had to "sample" some of the goodies.  And, my weight at the doctor's office is bothering me.  I don't eat a lot of food but lately I haven't been exercising.  When I regain my energy, I am making a resolution to start working out again.
One afternoon recently my neighbor and friend, Genevelyn, and her beau, Troy paid me a nice visit.  I was talking about being 85 years old and that I had lived through a lot of history.  And Troy asked me about the Great Depression in the 1930's.  I lived with my family in Chattanooga at that time.  We were more fortunate than a lot of people as my daddy had a job.  I know now he and my mother had financial problems but my sisters and I never felt poor.
See you next time.  (As told to Tam)

TEST REVEALS I NEED BOOSTER SHOT FOR MY ANEMIA BUT, WHEN?

January 4, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey
For several weeks I had noticed that I seemed to be moving in slow motion and I didn't have much energy.  Barry and Tam were obviously worried about my lack of energy.
Since I was diagnosed with inflammation and chronic disease anemia I had been having a blood test each month.  And most months, I was eligible for booster shots.  Then, medicare changed their anemia guidelines and only the most advanced cases of anemia were eligible for the shots.  Then last year I had to have a blood transfusion which gave me a lot of energy.  I have continued to have a blood test every month.
Then, recently, I have had little energy.  Barry and Tam had noticed my lack of energy and weakness and feebleness.  I had a blood test last week which revealed that I am eligible for a booster shot.
Later the offices of my primary care doctor and my blood doctor seem to be having communication problems.  It is Friday and I still don't have an appointment for a booster shot for my anemia.  So, I guess I'll be taking it easy for the upcoming weekend.
See you next time...  (As told to Tam)