All clear

I got the letter that I have been waiting two weeks for - that the mammogram that I had two weeks ago is clear of any signs of cancer. Even though on some level I knew this, it still came as a huge relief to me to know that I am OK, because I am about ten years late in getting my first mammogram. I know that I should have started around age 40, but I just never thought it a necessity to do this particular exam because I assumed, up until recently, that there was no family history of breast cancer. Now that I know better, you can bet your bottom dollar that I am going to be sure to get a regular yearly exam, because I've had far too many female friends who've been through breast cancer treatments and I know that early detection is the best protection. I feel a little guilty that I waited for so long to do this, but at least I have the peace of mind to know that I show no visible signs of breast cancer. For this, I am greatly relieved. Knowing that my medical insurance will cover this procedure 100% is also a relief, given how little my insurance seems to be covering lately. That also gives me peace of mind. Now the only thing looming in the not so distant future is my first visit to a gynecologist. Admittedly, I am extremely nervous about this, but it's something I really have to do, given my age and risk factors and all that. This is another thing I should have done decades ago, but fear is largely what has kept me from doing a lot of these things. Well, the peace of mind knowing that you're healthy, I am finding, is far better than not knowing.

GLUCOSAMINE AND CHONDROITIN SULFATE

For quite a few years now, I have been hearing of the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in dealing with arthritis issues. Naturally, I've been skeptical, but on the advice of both my primary care and orthopaedic doctors, I have decided to take the plunge. I bought a brand that seems to have good research behind it and has been clinically tested, so I figure that any brand that has actual proof of its effectiveness must be the one I should try, so I bought a bottle of it and I am on my third day of taking it. At the outset, you are supposed to take three tablets a day, either all at a time or spaced out through the day. I take one every eight hours right now and I won't know anything about its effectiveness for a month or two. So right now, I can't tell whether it was worth the investment to plunk down the bucks on this stuff or not, but I'm going to give it a try and see. I could have tried fish oil, which I have heard is effective in reducing arthritis pain as well as lowering cholesterol, and if glucosamine doesn't work, I may try this next, since I also have high cholesterol (which is apparently hereditary). It's gotten to the point where I am sick to death of being in pain, particularly with my left knee, but my right knee has lately begun to hurt as well, and this could well be the result of living for nearly 40 years with a leg length discrepancy of one and a half inches (the left one is the short leg due to a long ago car-bicycle accident). This is no doubt the source of my osteoarthritis, combined with the fact that I am also physically active and it's probably a bit hard on my knees. Add to that a pretty physically demanding job and it's no wonder I have arthritic knees. So I'll give it until about Memorial Day to see whether taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate works to reduce my arthritis pain. If so, I will know that I am doing the right thing and that my doctors were spot on. If not, time to resort to Plan B, whatever that will entail. Time will tell.