Read the Fine Print

My annual pap and mammogram tests came back normal. Super. My cholesterol panel came back with less stellar results. Although my overall cholesterol was lower than last year, my “bad” cholesterol was higher- up from a nasty 160 last year to a shocking 170 this year. I was living a pretty righteous life over the past year, like- it doesn’t affect me.

Was driving the other day, and all of a sudden, I had a complete inability to open my left eye fully. I actually had paralysis of part of my face. It lasted for a couple of minutes, and the good news is- I paid attention to it, and all is well now. I haven’t had it checked out yet, but- could that be symptomatic of a mini-stroke. Now I am not feeling so righteous. I am a little afraid. High cholesterol/heart disease/stroke. There’s plenty of research to substantiate those relationships- notwithstanding family history. How does a five-way bypass sound?

Then (all this sent as cosmic messengers), on the radio yesterday, I heard a report out of Philadelphia about menus on well-trafficked restaurants that offer nutritional information for “healthy offerings/weight watchers/guiltless” sections. Bottom line is- the calorie count was usually MUCH higher than the number listed, with the exception, it seemed of some of the salads. The fat grams, however, including the salads, generally were 3-5 times higher than what was listed. One of the three major chains represented was not even apologetic. That leaves, realistically, ONE source I can rely on to prepare food that is probably “safe” for me to eat- ME. A fair warning to all. I have relied on those nutritional synopses on menus, and will no longer.