Daily Habit – June 30, 2009

I just experienced the longest day of my life. I’m glad I survived this day! More about that later.

As usual, I checked my weight this morning. I guess all the lifting and work-out paid off. Today I’m 153.6 lbs. Hmm. But then, I’m probably dropping/adding weight because of water! I remember I was sweating like a pig the whole day yesterday!

So I went to the hospital to get my blood tested. I had been fasting for at least 10 hours already (my last meal was around 11pm the night before). I was really hoping that this be done as soon as possible because I was getting hungrier by the minute! After all the approvals were done, I proceeded to the lab.

After they drew blood from me, I was told that the results will be released at 4pm. Darn. Tagal pa. It was still 10-ish so I thought to proceed to the LTO for my car registration while it is a bit early, thinking that it’ll be just a breeze.

So, I drove myself to the LTO. It was only when I was halfway through the process that I realized that I made the wrong decision. I should have eaten first. The only food that I had were 3 packs of Sky flakes fit which I already ate. In the end, I went to the mall (Southmall) to eat lunch because the LTO halts its operations between 12noon to 1pm. Inabutan pa ako ng kanilang lunch break.

I like SM Southmall. As the jingle goes, “Here at SM, we’ve got it all for you.” But at the time, all I wanted was a bed. I was so tired and sleepy. Instead, I slept while sitting on a bench on the second floor. I woke up with perspiration trickling between the creases of my neck. Ewww. TMI. Great! It’s time to go back to the LTO.

So, I drove back to LTO around 2pm. Paid the fees, got the new car stickers and the all-so-important OR. Yes! I’m done here!  So, what’s next?

I was about to leave the LTO with another problem. Now, where will I go? I don’t want to go back to Southmall (traffic was getting heavier). I’ve got 2 hours to kill. Then I decided to just go back to the hospital and wait for the results of the tests.

So, I finally got the results at 4pm. Just for comparison, here were my blood test results last January 3. It’s screaming BAD results.

Test	Result	Normal Value S.I.	Result	Normal Value Conventional
FBS	4.80	3.89 ~ 5.83 mmol/L	87.273	70.72 ~ 106 mg/dl
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)	5.73	2.5 ~ 6.5 mmol/L	16.050	7.0 ~ 18.2 mg/dl
Creatinine	142.6	53.0 ~ 115.0 mmol/L	1.613	0.60 ~ 1.3 mg/dl
Cholesterol	6.67	0 ~ 5.2 mmol/L	256.538	0 ~ 200 mg/dl
Triglyceride	3.77	0 ~ 1.7 mmol/L	342.727	1 ~ 150 mg/dl
HDL Chole	0.63	0.91 ~ 1.56 mmol/L	24.231	38.46 ~ 60 mg/dl
LDL Chole	5.29	0 ~ 3.9 mmol/L	203.462	0 ~ 150 mg/dl
SGPT (ALT)	68	0 ~ 41 u/L	68.000	0 ~ 41 u/L
SGOT (AST)	33	0 ~ 40 u/L	33.000	0 ~ 40 u/L

Now, here’s the result of my blood test today.

Test	Result	Normal Value S.I.	Result	Normal Value Conventional
FBS	4.66	3.89 ~ 5.83 mmol/L	84.727	70.72 ~ 106 mg/dl
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)	5.14	2.5 ~ 6.5 mmol/L	14.398	7.0 ~ 18.2 mg/dl
Creatinine	93.5	53.0 ~ 115.0 mmol/L	1.058	0.60 ~ 1.3 mg/dl
Cholesterol	3.77	0 ~ 5.2 mmol/L	145.000	0 ~ 200 mg/dl
Triglyceride	3.22	0 ~ 1.7 mmol/L	292.727	1 ~ 150 mg/dl
HDL Chole	0.29	0.91 ~ 1.56 mmol/L	11.154	38.46 ~ 60 mg/dl
LDL Chole	2.83	0 ~ 3.9 mmol/L	108.846	0 ~ 150 mg/dl
SGPT (ALT)	54	0 ~ 41 u/L	54.000	0 ~ 41 u/L
SGOT (AST)	20	0 ~ 40 u/L	20.000	0 ~ 40 u/L

I was able to reduce my LDL points! Yey! Problem is, my triglyceride was still way too high. That score puts me under “high” risk. Also, my SGPT score is high. Plus, I need to find a way to increase my HDL, it’s too low which also increases a risk of heart disease.

My doctor friend told me to be careful of what I’m eating. That I should follow a strict diet = eat right and stay away from “bad” food. Most importantly, he said, that I should exercise. He encouraged me to run. Bottom line, a good cardio will really help me.

Told myself that I will do something about this. I’ve successfully quit smoking. I don’t drink alcohol (for the longest time). I don’t drink sodas and I stick to water or natural juices. I don’t even drink iced tea! Why can’t I do this? There’s just no reason why I shouldn’t.

Tomorrow will be July. I think the timing of it all is perfect. I’ve got a new medication to start (yeah, another one of ‘em) but I’m armed with a new positive attitude. I can do this! I will get healthy. I will see my son become successful, marry his girlfriend, and have kids. I will be a positive influence to my son, my wife, and my family.

This is a new challenge! Well, bring it on!