Yesterday was Valentine's Day and I spent the entire morning at medical appointments. Nothing serious, just my annual check-ups. It started out with a mammogram (yay for squished boobs, ugh) and then I met with my OB-GYN provider. The nurse who checked me in said I wasn't due for a pap smear (hooray!), but after talking to my provider, she decided that we should probably do one (boo.)
I have a history of abnormal pap smears and last year I had to have a biopsy of my epithelial lining because there were some abnormal cells detected. Luckily, it turned out to be nothing. However, after telling my provider that I'd had some random spotting over the last several months, she decided to go ahead and do a pap smear, just to be safe. She also wants me to have a pelvic ultrasound just to be sure that there's nothing concerning going on. She feels like the spotting is most likely from the hormone replacement therapy I've been on over the last year, but again, she just wants to be thorough and rule out anything concerning.
I also have to have some fasting labs to check my cholesterol and other things, and I'm due for another colonoscopy. GAH! Worst news ever! But because they found some polyps in my last procedure, I have to repeat it again.
But, hey, I'd rather just get it done and know that I'm doing okay. Same with the mammogram, pap smear, labs and ultrasound. These things aren't necessarily fun, but it's good to screen for any possible bad things and catch them early, you know?
I love my OB-GYN care provider. I've been going to her for years, and we know each other well enough to ask each other about our families and we spend a lot of time chatting about our kids. And I love that she cares about my health and is staying on top of things. She listens to my concerns and I trust her completely with my care.
She loves that I'm strength training, and she was really happy that I decided to increase my protein and calories.
The number on the scale wasn't surprising. I haven't lost a single pound since I started tracking my macros. But I'm not worried because there are other things happening that tell me to stay the course - I'm getting stronger, increasing my weights, sleeping really well, and my jeans aren't so snug. I know that this new journey I'm on isn't going to result in changes overnight. The changes will be slow and gradual. I just have to keep going, be consistent, and be patient.
My mammogram results came in and everything looks good. I won't know the results of my pap smear for a few days. My blood pressure is normal.
I mean, can you think of a more perfect way to spend Valentine's day than to give yourself some self-care by making sure that your health is in good order?
Love yourself. Get your health screenings done.
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