Just... leave me alone

Beth Gallagher

Beth Gallagher

Well-known member
Recently I have posted that my annual blood work shows a concerning increase of potassium in my blood. Also, my kidney function has gone down so my doctor had the tests re-done with a similar result. Now she wants me to change my blood pressure medications, restrict potassium-rich foods, and see a kidney specialist. I DON'T WANT TO.

Here's my issue... I feel FINE. I don't want to spend all my time having blood work and seeing a specialist. Why can't they just leave me the hell alone? I'm old, so if I drop dead tomorrow then I do. I'm just mad, frustrated, and depressed over this. It brings back memories of how I felt absolutely fine when I was diagnosed with cancer. The chemo, surgery, and radiation was a nightmare that made me a sick person and left me with a ton of issues I never had before. So pardon the hell out of me if I don't want to start "treatment" for some new issue. I believe that the chemo I had is the cause for a lot of the problems I'm having now.

Just a rant. And get off my lawn. 💩
 
Good afternoon to all-

Beth Gallagher-

I agree.

On my last annual checkup- that was two days ago, my primary doctor- a very nice lady who appears to be on top of things medically speaking, asked me if I wanted to schedule my "last colonoscopy." I told her "no" and I didn't plan any such tests at this point in my life.

She said, "So you're ready to just go with whatever happens and let things ride?"

I told her I had already lived forty-five years longer than I ever expected to live.

She said, "That's fine. that's a good choice."

It's a pleasure dealing with a doctor who allows me to go my own way on my own terms.

you all be safe and keep well- Ed
 
@Beth Gallagher I am no one to give advice on such matters. You decide for yourself what it is that feels right for you to do.

I will say that I have done the same as @Ed Delabama . On my last doctor visit, my biannual check up to get my blood pressure medicine, which I really do have to have, my doctor asked me yet again if I wanted to schedule a mammogram and a colonoscopy. I respectfully declined. I said I’ve made it this far. I’m just gonna roll with it.

After 20 years of bugging me to get all the tests done, he finally looked at me and said “—that’s OK; I have to ask anyway.”

My husband was good about getting all his tests done, as he aged, on schedule. He never did drugs. He never smoked a cigarette. He ate 10 times better than I could ever think of eating, drank milk with his meals, and drank rotgut beer while watching TVbecause it was cheap.

Never hung out in bars, never drank whiskey.

So, why in the hell did his prostate cancer return and metastasize violently to where it spread to every vital organ he had and in the end was going into his lungs………..

I think you get the point I am trying to make Beth. You do what you need to do in this life even if that shortens your life, just be sure you are OK with that.

Sending hugs and prayers your way, whatever you decide🙏🙏🙏🙏
 
Connie Bennett said:
@Beth Gallagher I am no one to give advice on such matters. You decide for yourself what it is that feels right for you to do.

I will say that I have done the same as @Ed Delabama . On my last doctor visit, my biannual check up to get my blood pressure medicine, which I really do have to have, my doctor asked me yet again if I wanted to schedule a mammogram and a colonoscopy. I respectfully declined. I said I’ve made it this far. I’m just gonna roll with it.

After 20 years of bugging me to get all the tests done, he finally looked at me and said “—that’s OK; I have to ask anyway.”

My husband was good about getting all his tests done, as he aged, on schedule. He never did drugs. He never smoked a cigarette. He ate 10 times better than I could ever think of eating, drank milk with his meals, and drank rotgut beer while watching TVbecause it was cheap.

Never hung out in bars, never drank whiskey.

So, why in the hell did his prostate cancer return and metastasize violently to where it spread to every vital organ he had and in the end was going into his lungs………..

I think you get the point I am trying to make Beth. You do what you need to do in this life even if that shortens your life, just be sure you are OK with that.

Sending hugs and prayers your way, whatever you decide🙏🙏🙏🙏
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Thanks, Connie. I know many of you "get it". It does seem that no matter what we do, life has other plans for us. I can't tell you how many women I met at MD Anderson who were health nuts, runners, young and health conscious... but they were sitting there with the same cancer diagnosis as mine. (And I had the french fries and consider rocking fast is good exercise. :D). Many of them died.

I fully realize that if I had not had cancer treatment in 2021, I'd probably be a faint memory by now. It just annoys me that I actually feel OK and I don't want to spend my time sitting in doctor's offices. I feel like kicking stuff.
 
I am totally with you on this, @Beth Gallagher ! The only tests I have done now are the labs that I can track and try to make changes on myself, like my cholesterol, A1c, and heart and kidney function.
Some of it, it is now just trying to keep it from getting worse, but I am still trying to make things better by adjusting my diet and being my own guinea pig.
So, no mammograms, colonoscopies, or any of that for me, and the kidney function seems to be improving with the mostly plant-based diet that i have been doing.
If I get cancer, I will try the ivermectin treatment, but that is all.
 
AMEN to all above. As I told a doctor long ago,and even said on here... at this age it is about living comfortable not trying to live longer.
Here is what happened to me today. I have had last few years a prolapsed bladder, not uncommon after childbirth. I wore a ring for a few years,then after moving here had mild infection. After that and my arthritic hands could not use. Anyway bladder has now fallen um, too much.
In Texas I had a urologist for the issue. I finally found one day who does see patients in Dodge -ony an hour away, Plus he is specialized in this. I have to have a referral from GP in order to see him. In think ridiculous,but called and had to explain to receptionist what I needed. My GP says No I need the Aholes in Wichita that I was sent to one time. Oh no buddy this is my choice, how that hell does he really know, He ain't seen down there ! Still have not heard back. I was livid.
She even said, you may have to come in and see him to get referral.. no I am not paying to talk to him, He had no problem with referral from the rheumatologist. BTW he is the sixth GP we have had in less than 3 years !
 
I was telling my GP at my most recent wellness check that when I hit 60 I was eager to get any test he would approve because all the men in my family died in their 50s and I had no idea what I might be genetically predisposed to. Now I'm in my 70s I don't want to go looking for trouble.

I can't think of many high potassium foods I would miss, other than beans, potatoes/fries, and *gasp* coffee. Even though I've gone periods of my life without it, that last one would tend to suck.
 
John Brunner said:
I was telling my GP at my most recent wellness check that when I hit 60 I was eager to get any test he would approve because all the men in my family died in their 50s and I had no idea what I might be genetically predisposed to. Now I'm in my 70s I don't want to go looking for trouble.

I can't think of many high potassium foods I would miss, other than beans, potatoes/fries, and *gasp* coffee. Even though I've gone periods of my life without it, that last one would tend to suck.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I don't believe it has anything at all to do with eating tomatoes, potatoes, and spinach. I think my kidney problems (not filtering correctly hence "high potassium") are from high blood pressure and some of the chemo I had. I know that the adriamycin "red devil" chemo causes increased risk of severe heart failure among other things, even decades after successful cancer treatment. I had the maximum dosage of that chemo.

I read that Lisinopril can cause higher potassium levels and I have been taking that BP medicine for over 20 years. So who the hell knows? Like you, I just don't want to go looking for trouble.
 
April Vee said:
Yea they will try anything Eddie to get people on thier crap,its $$$$$$$ and they will try hard to get $$$ from people!!

Im glad you and Beth stood up and said NO......
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They get $$$$$ from Medicare or your insurer for every test/procedure; of course they don't care where it comes from as long as it comes.
Last year, a doctor told me, "Your kidney function is slightly reduced, your prostate is enlarged & your blood tests shows you're slightly dehydrated."
I said, "Sounds about right; old kidneys, old prostate, old blood, old man."
He said, "What do you mean?"
I said, "Ever seen a 73 year old car that runs as well as a new one?"
He had to smile.
 
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