I sat, waiting in the private room for my doctor to appear.
He asked if I had blood work done, I said that I did. He began reviewing the
records. He said that my blood glucose level was good, it was 100. Even with
trying to keep my carbs below 100 grams, mostly successful. I was happy to hear
that my fasting glucose was good. The then told me that my Total Cholesterol
level as 188, the best in a long time, down from 203 in February. This actually
surprised me since I was sure that my total cholesterol level would go up with
the saturated fat and eggs that grace my breakfast so very often. I have been
trying to get 60% or more of my calories from fat. I have been using olive oil,
coconut oil along with butter and animal fat. I was very happy. My HDL cholesterol had increased from 40 to
42. My LDL dropped a little from 135 to 127. My doctor was surprised that my
Triglycerides fall to 97 from 136. He was very pleased with my progress. My
blood pressure was good 118/84.
My doctor then lifted his brows, almost asking, “You have
lost 30 pounds. The last time you were at this weight was 6 years ago.” Then after
pausing for a moment, he asked “What have you been doing?” I told him that
since I had last seen him, I had been on a low carb – high fat, no nightshades
and no grains. He asked, “You mean no breads or cereals?” I answered that yes,
it meant no breads or cereals. He asked what my typical breakfast looked like.
I told him that it could be bacon or sausage, an egg, sautéed broccoli, 3 oz.
of yogurt with 2 teaspoons of ground flax seed and bulletproof coffee.
Explaining that bulletproof coffee for me was coffee with a tablespoon of coconut
oil melted in it.
I explained to my doctor that I was trying to heal my
stomach and that the weight loss was a fortunate side effect of the diet. Being
my doctor, he was familiar with the stomach problems that I had been experiencing
since last August. I proudly announced that my stomach, although not healed,
was feeling much better. I also told him that I had stopped taking three of my
prescribed medicines, namely the pain killers and acid reducer. I told him that
I wanted to stop taking my other medicines as well.
My doctor was quite pleased with my overall results. I
explained to him that this has been a miraculous journey for me, that I now
have more energy than I ever had before. He remembered when I had to walk with
a cane because of my arthritis and neuropathy, but I assured him that I now walk
for miles. I even bragged to him that I went on a 7 mile hike with my son.
He was excited for me and told me he looks forward to seeing
my progress in August. I am looking forward to that visit as well. I feel like
a new person. I have been given a new chance at an incredible life. Life is
precious and fleeting. I do not want to take it for granted ever again. I have
found my new medicine – it comes on my plate. What I put into my body matters.
Listening to my body is important. Pain is a body’s way of saying something is
wrong. Doctors are usually great at treating symptoms of problems, but I think
it is more important to go to the root cause. My body speaks and I am
listening.