It's late, I know...
...and I've only managed to input one of the nine remaining blood test results, those for 12/20/02. I figured out a lot of things from posting this one, though, which are 'precipitating' the 'event' of me making some global changes to test results already posted and to be posted.
    First, I finally got it regarding the Reference Range for Blood Glucose. Regardless of whether a patient is fasting, the range for a CBC from this lab (or, perhaps, from the manufacturer of the test) always reflects the fasting range. There is an area on the results that tells (accurately, I hope, although I will be checking this, too) whether or not the patient is fasting. I just never noticed it. I figured this out from looking up some information on Blood Glucose in order to answer a question I had about whether it was normal for one's Blood Glucose to vary out of fasting reference range during the day as one eats and digests foods, and, if so, what those ranges are for diabetics and non-diabetics. I haven't found all the information, but found enough to realize that, at least for diabetics, yes, blood glucose varies and there are appropriate ranges for the variations as well. As I gather more information on this I'll post it. Since my understanding of this is increasing I will be adding all Mom's blood glucose readings to her already posted and to be posted test results and time of day of the draw if that information seems pertinent.
    I also noticed that the Hemoglobin A1c test is ordered separately so I've given it its own table and will be changing this in all the other tests. Depending on what other tests have been ordered, it tends to show up all over the map and I have been inserting it in whatever table it happens to follow, which can be confusing. As well, to each of these tests that has the American Diabetic Association Guidelines for these results posted I'll add those as well. So far, these appear on only two test postings.
    I have to mention, I love going over and posting these test results for a couple of reasons. I like learning the language, it is so provocative. I love what it adds to my overall language acuity and my penchant for playing with language. I also like what I'm learning in regards to body and health indices, etc., and how these things cause my mind to take flight. Frequently when I am doing this (as is often the case when I am doing other life things, as well) I feel enveloped in a very gentle, firm feeling of being surrounded by what I call god/God/All, as this essence smiles encouragingly around me, telling me, "Learn as much as you are able. Think as much as you are able. Create out of it as much as you are able. This is how I am known and how I evolve."
    This morning I've also been considering, as I concentrate on the test results in light of My Mother's Revival, that my standards of assumption for what is and isn't possible in regards to age (especially old age) have needed much revising. I now am thinking that at any age with motivation (and, I suppose, without, as well) startling changes and startling growth are possible. In my mother's case I am the primary motivation but as we continue from here I will be happy for that to be augmented with the motivation I expect her to glean from being out more, moving more, thinking more, seeing more, maybe even hearing more... I am excited about where and how this all might propel her. It's happening slowly and I'm not going to push it but, damn, it's amazing to me that we've even gotten this far. Maybe we shouldn't so easily give up on those who seem entrenched in their aging bodies. Maybe they aren't entrenched by their bodies, maybe their bodies are, in many cases, reflecting the entrenched thinking of those around them (or, for that matter, not around them).
    Lastly, I've been doing much reflecting this morning, as I post test results, about my relationship with my mother's doctors, especially her PCP. I am pleased to consider how dynamic our relationship is, how none of us (in most cases) flinch from disagreement with the other, how we are all strong in our opinions as well as willing to have our opinions challenged and how readily this very active dynamic works to help my mother and to help me better care for her.
    It's a good day today. We're preparing to go out and do a little shopping for minor grocery necessities and a new Scrabble game (our old one's alphabet has been decimated over the years). Who knows that will happen next?!?
- posted by gail rae @ 13:04   email...this post