A Quick Update

Wow! I can't believe this! I just heard back from the doctor's office with the results of my blood work....ALREADY! As promised, I said I would share the results. Please keep in mind that I am not a doctor and I don't fully understand all of the details.

In September my iron level was 18. This latest test showed my iron levels have gone up slightly to 23. I'm to increase my iron supplements to 2/day and eat iron rich foods (which I'm really going to have to research and implement). Here's the kicker - the doctor would like my levels to be over 80! I can't tell you the complete sense of relief I feel from hearing this. Honestly, I was starting to think the tiredness was all in my head.

Now, I need to focus on increasing my intake of iron and pray that something sticks so I can start getting some energy again!

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Faith Restored in Health Care

A bottle of 50 200mg Advil caplets (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As many of you know I have premenstrual dysphoric disorder, (PMDD) - which is basically PMS to the extreme (only it's more than that). This has led me to having low iron. Lately, I've been extremely tired and getting headaches more than usual. As a result I've been feeling really down which I partially attribute to seasonal depression. However, the tiredness is really the big issue more so than my crazy emotions. After having (let's call it) an episode I had a long talk with my husband. We decided on a plan of action to get me out of this funk. By the way, I'm a very lucky woman...just sayin.

This morning I decided to suck it up and call the doctor to make an appointment. Seasonal depression aside I'm exhausted all the time. I could probably sleep sitting up and have been napping almost every day. So, I called the clinic at 9:45 this morning and was asked if I could come in for 11:15. My first response was "Today?????" Sure enough, yes, today. I arrived about 11:10 for my appointment and  sat in the waiting room for all of 3 minutes before they called my name. They took my weight and height and then I waited maybe 10 minutes in the room before the doctor came in. I really can't be sure how long I waited because my husband had borrowed my phone. The doctor is super friendly and I'm so glad I went to see her. She gave me some helpful info and sent me for blood work. By the way, DID YOU KNOW that Advil helps reduce menstrual flow! Since I didn't have to fast for my blood work I decided to get it done right away. I went to the blood lab who took me immediately with no waiting at all. My 11:15 appointment plus blood work was all finished with me back in the car by 11:50! This is unheard of for me. With my old doctor it would take a month or so to get an appointment and then 2 hours at least before he could see me for my "scheduled" time.

So, now we wait for the results of my blood work. I'll keep you posted.

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It's All a Balancing Act

Find the right balance for your life

I had a fascinating conversation this evening with Stephen Guise author of the award winning blog Deep Existence. He recently wrote a post over at White Dove Books about finding contentment. This got me to thinking about my own life and the eternal battle to find some sort of peace. I touched on this back in December when I wrote about acceptance. But there's more to life than just acceptance. What about being content? Or dare I say - happy?!

In October I attended a Girlfriends in God women's conference. One of the topics was about CHOOSING joy in your everyday life. Can you do that? Can you choose joy? I admit this is a hard one for me, especially with three kids (who don't always do what they're told and yes I'm aware that's their job).

People often strive for that one more event to happen and then they'll be happy. Whether that one more is a promotion, more money, a bigger house, the newest hot ticket item out there people everywhere continue to wait for the next best thing. The next best thing is already right here in front of you. It's time to see the amazing in the here and now. And that's when it hit me.

Balance.

It's all about balance. Yes, I'm aware that is cliche. But if you think about it, and I mean really think about it it's completely true. If you can find your own balance you will find contentment and dare I say even a little bit of happiness. Remember life isn't perfect, you'll still have your ups and downs, but at least you'll enjoy more along the way.

I'm choosing to find balance and I'm choosing joy! (Someone remind me of this in the morning BEFORE I get frustrated with the kids?!)

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Where were you....?

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