About a week ago I went to the emergency room. I thought I had appendicitis, but I was wrong (I woke up with a dull pain in my lower right abdomen that increased throughout the day). I had high blood pressure. Very high blood pressure. Incredibly high blood pressure. Like 215/110 high. Stroke level high. Kidney failure high. Heart attack high. The ER Doctor told me I was lucky I didn't stroke out. I was sent home from the ER with a blood pressure of 187/100 and the promise I would see my regular doctor as soon as possible.
So I did. I walked away with the promise of increasing my lack of exercise to five days a week, a change in my diet to reduce sodium and calories, to set up an appointment with a nutritionist (to solidify my dietary needs), a cardiologist (to see if the blood pressure and family history has messed with my heart), and a sleep study (to see if I have apnea, or some other sleep-related issue that could be affecting my blood pressure) and to take my blood pressure morning and night for a few weeks to gain an average blood pressure for myself. My doctor - who is fantastic, by the way - would like to control my blood pressure through diet and exercise alone. She hates relying on medication, and I am on board with that. I'd rather not pump chemicals to do something my lazy ass should be doing any way.
For the record, I am healthy otherwise. There is no cause for concern at this time. My cardiology appointment is just to see where my heart health is and how large a factor my family history and high blood pressure has played so far. I have no organ failure or signs of cancer. I have nothing else wrong with me, and frankly I am relieved.
I'm also relieved to have found all this out at age 35 instead of at 40, 45, or older. This is manageable and attainable. In five to ten years it may not have been. And it could have wreaked havoc on my innards.
This is probably the only post I'll make about my health. It's not because I don't want you all to know how I am, it's because I don't want to stress out about it too much. I will however make no excuses or apologies about my future posts about how much I HATE exercise. Be prepared. I loathe it. Although I have found Just Dance 3 for the Wii to be fun.
Don't judge me.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Save the date.
June 14, 2013.
The day my life stays the same, but everything changes. That's the day the state sanctions my marriage, but not the church. That's the day I become an activist, but not willingly. That's the day I become a married man, but without a wife.
June 14, 2013.
The day I'm most nervous about. No. More than nervous... I'm flat out terrified. Not because I think I'm making a poor choice or a dreadful mistake. I don't think I am. In fact I know I'm not. I'm terrified because my future is no longer my own. My past is no longer my own. We offer each other our whole selves, without shame, and vow to protect, honour, love, and cherish each other. We make these solemn and sacred vows in front of God, our family, and friends. We make this covenant with each other; we no longer live for just ourselves, but for each other also.
June 14, 2013
The day the Church turns and looks away from us without acknowledging our love or our covenant made before God. The day we're officially told we're sinners bound for hell. The day we're told our family will never be the same as a "natural family". The day we're treated as less than every other person. The day we're reviled and despised for our commitment to and celebration of each other.
June 14, 2013.
The day it becomes real for my family and future family despite whether they agree with it or not. Will I be viewed as their family, or merely "Danny's friend"? Will my family view Danny as their family, or as "Gareth's um... ah... (nervous fidgeting) partner/uh... well... husband, I guess (nervous laughter)"? Will our marriage be viewed as a covenant or a farce? Will our vows be viewed as sacred as everyone else's? Or will our marriage be viewed as something less than, something that mocks what they believe God intended?
June 14, 2013
The day I stand proudly with Danny telling him I'll always be there by his side, protecting his back, comforting when he needs comfort, weeping when he grieves, laughing when he's joyous, talking when he needs conversation, listening when he needs an ear, encouraging when he's down, forgiving when he errs, and always, always choosing him. You see, when I remember why I'm marrying Danny I lose those negative feelings and nagging questions and become completely overwhelmed and humbled by how incredibly wonderful he is. And how extremely lucky I am to have him.
June 14, 2013
Save the date.
The day my life stays the same, but everything changes. That's the day the state sanctions my marriage, but not the church. That's the day I become an activist, but not willingly. That's the day I become a married man, but without a wife.
June 14, 2013.
The day I'm most nervous about. No. More than nervous... I'm flat out terrified. Not because I think I'm making a poor choice or a dreadful mistake. I don't think I am. In fact I know I'm not. I'm terrified because my future is no longer my own. My past is no longer my own. We offer each other our whole selves, without shame, and vow to protect, honour, love, and cherish each other. We make these solemn and sacred vows in front of God, our family, and friends. We make this covenant with each other; we no longer live for just ourselves, but for each other also.
June 14, 2013
The day the Church turns and looks away from us without acknowledging our love or our covenant made before God. The day we're officially told we're sinners bound for hell. The day we're told our family will never be the same as a "natural family". The day we're treated as less than every other person. The day we're reviled and despised for our commitment to and celebration of each other.
June 14, 2013.
The day it becomes real for my family and future family despite whether they agree with it or not. Will I be viewed as their family, or merely "Danny's friend"? Will my family view Danny as their family, or as "Gareth's um... ah... (nervous fidgeting) partner/uh... well... husband, I guess (nervous laughter)"? Will our marriage be viewed as a covenant or a farce? Will our vows be viewed as sacred as everyone else's? Or will our marriage be viewed as something less than, something that mocks what they believe God intended?
June 14, 2013
The day I stand proudly with Danny telling him I'll always be there by his side, protecting his back, comforting when he needs comfort, weeping when he grieves, laughing when he's joyous, talking when he needs conversation, listening when he needs an ear, encouraging when he's down, forgiving when he errs, and always, always choosing him. You see, when I remember why I'm marrying Danny I lose those negative feelings and nagging questions and become completely overwhelmed and humbled by how incredibly wonderful he is. And how extremely lucky I am to have him.
June 14, 2013
Save the date.
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