Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! ~Psalm 46:10
I am a homebody. There is nothing I like better than to have an entire day stretching before me without one appointment or obligation that involves leaving the house. I prefer, above all, being able to stick to a daily routine of meaningful activities balanced with quiet times of prayer and reflection. While others might perceive this as boring, I find it completely satisfying.
Last week, however, is anything but routine. Between Danny and me, there are three medical appointments. That's three too many, if you ask me, but they aren't the kinds you should or could postpone. On Monday, I meet with my cardiologist to review some recent tests I have done. The next day brings my annual physical with blood work to boot. Thursday, we are at the dermatologist so Danny can have her check for any possible signs of potential skin cancer. No worries! Everything is super-duper for two folks in their seventies.
But there is one concerning issue that only applies to me. When the medical assistant takes my blood pressure at the two appointments previously mentioned, it's WAY higher than it has ever been. Am I alarmed? You bet! I'm already on a regimen for controlling blood pressure, so this isn't the news I want or expect to hear.
The remedy? I'm taking my blood pressure at home for several weeks to see if it returns to what I consider the normal range for me. Danny, with his love of spread sheets, faithfully tracks the daily tally. After a while, we'll send the results to both doctors to see what their verdict is.
Surprisingly, neither my cardiologist nor my primary care doctor show undue concern at the numbers recorded in their respective offices. Perhaps, both suggest, it's a bad case of the dreaded White Coat Syndrome. Only time, and a quieter, less stressful schedule, will tell.
We don't begin recording the at-home blood pressure until last Friday. Yes, we are out and about for some errands that day, but basically, the blood pressure is better. I'm feeling hopeful, and the fact that Danny is leaving the blood pressure cuff in plain view helps me feel less anxiety and trepidation. That's because it's now a part of the daily routine. By Saturday (the day I'm drafting this post), I can joyfully state that all has returned to normal!
Yes, we will continue to record the readings, twice a day, if need be, and at approximately the same time each day. I'm feeling optimistic as the week ahead holds nothing pressing in the way of out-of-the-ordinary activities. There will be plenty of opportunities to simply be still, immerse myself in God's Word, and know that He, and only He, is in full control of whatever may happen down the road.
Whether you're a stay-at-home type like me, or a person who can't wait to tackle the next adventure out in the world, know that God cares for you, infinitely and intimately. When the pressure's on, depend upon Him to relieve you, taking your every burden on Himself.
Amen!
Good luck with your blood pressure readings I have siniliar problems but the new meds seem to be helping, it took months of readings for me until finally this combination has been working well for me. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.con
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Christine, for sharing your own experiences here today. So far, so good with my readings at home. It most definitely was a case of WCS as my doctors thought. Whew!
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Martha, I will be praying 🙏 for you, dear friend 🧡 I also am taking meds and have been for years now. I have been pre-diabetic for over 10 years. You are doing the right thing. God bless you. Sending you much love ❤️ and warm hugs 🫂.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers, Linda! As we age, it seems, we face one issue after another, don't we? Being pre-diabetic is no walk in the park and it does take a determined approach to not go over the edge. So far, as I told Christine, the at-home readings are normal as one would hope.
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So true, Martha. Thus far I am taking meds only for high blood pressure but eventually the diabetes will come. Thankfully I do my best to eat well, get nature walks and drink plenty of water. I will mention it on my blog if and when I am diagnosed with diabetes. God bless you, dear friend 🧡
DeleteKeeping in prayer. It is no secret I have issues with my new dr. She keeps putting me in this category of "your age group"---I am an individual and prefer to be treated as such...anyways, great post my friend. Have a beautiful Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for keeping me in prayer, Linda. That's the best remedy! I hear you about your new doctor, too. No matter what our age, we all need to be treated individually and with care for the whole person.
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Praying for yours and Danny's good health.
ReplyDeleteWhen my blood pressure was high the nurse explained about White Coat Syndrome. But she didn't realise that her blouse was undone.
And that's something else I'll have to confess!
God bless.
Victor, I love how you can always find the funny in things - LOL! That's a zinger! On a serious note, thank you so much for your prayers lifted for the both of us, my friend.
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So funny, Victor. I need not say more.
DeleteIt took half a year and several different prescriptions, but we finally found a blood pressure medicine that worked. - one of the oldest ones on the market. I've "graduated" from daily readings at home to weekly.
ReplyDeleteWow, Glynn, you went through quite the ordeal, too! I'm glad that you finally found the right medication for you and that you graduated from daily to weekly in monitoring your BP. So far, I'm glad to report, my home readings have been well within the acceptable range. PTL!
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Praying your blood pressure stays down and all continues to go well.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your prayers, Diana! Yes, things are going much better with the home readings.
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Ain't it just grand fun getting old? Glad to hear that you and Danny are on the mend.
ReplyDeleteGetting old is definitely not for sissies, Bill, that's for sure. Yes, we are both doing lots better.
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Oh my, Martha ... your first paragraph may well have sprung from my own mouth. After years of rushing and doing and stressing, this is like a balm for the mind.
ReplyDeleteLike y'all our calendar is liberally peppered by doctors' appointments, and yes -- even an Excel spreadsheet charting Tom's #'s. What a comfort to realize we're not alone. Moreso, your sweet reminders who's really in charge.
I guess we're pretty much in the same (leaky) boat, Myra. I'll be sure to tell Danny that he's not the only one who maintains spreadsheets to track the daily readings. That will make him happy! I'm so glad that this post spoke to your heart and mind, my friend.
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Spreadsheets, my favorite. I have those for car mileage (13 years), energy use (30 years), grocery costs (32 years), and several more. If you can't see it then how do you know?
DeletePsalm 46:10. one of my favorite scripture verses... thanks for sharing this Martha. I am thankful that your home blood pressure is much more in the normal range. It is true that so many people have white coat syndrome and hopefully this is the issue for the rise in your blood pressure. Many times it is difficult for us to be still and trust God, especially when we clearly see the numbers not in our favor, BUT GOD.
ReplyDeleteThat verse has always been one of my favorites, too, Shug, and one we all need to remember, especially when we're feeling stressed out about anything. I'm glad to say that my home readings have been MUCH better, so I'm feeling a genuine sense of relief.
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DeleteThis heartfelt reflection beautifully captures the tension between health concerns and faith. I admire your calm acceptance of life’s pressures and your trust in God’s sovereignty. Turning the blood pressure monitoring into a daily routine, supported by Danny’s care, shows how small habits and companionship ease anxiety. Your reminder that God holds everything in control is both comforting and inspiring, especially in uncertain times. Thank you for sharing this honest journey of hope, faith, and quiet strength. Amen indeed!
ReplyDeleteThank you sincerely, Asep, for your kind and affirming comment here today. I think it's so important for us as people of faith to live our beliefs authentically and openly. All of us have fears, anxious thoughts and misgivings, but when we turn to God, knowing He is in control and will carry us through, we can stop worrying and truly start living the abundant life He promised us in Jesus. To Him be the glory.
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I can’t believe you’re in your 70’s! The photo of you and Sandie look like you’re in your 40’s. Good genes!
ReplyDeleteI’m the opposite with low blood pressure and there are times it has spiked at the doctors office. That’s so loving that Danny is helping you with your blood pressure monitoring. True love! ❤️
I’m the same as you - a homebody that prefers home. I also love, my quiet reflection of prayer, listening and study.
My husband has way more appointments at the VA for various things, nothing serious. They take good care of him for which I am thankful.
Always nice to see your posts. God Bless you, Martha
What a sweet compliment you gave me, Debby, but it's the magic of Danny's photo shop equipment that makes the rough edges smooth, believe me! Yes, he really has been such an amazing, supportive man always, and has certainly gone through more than his fair share with health issues, especially with heart and cholesterol complications. So glad to know that you are a fellow homebody, and that your husband gets great care through your local VA. Veterans deserve nothing but the best.
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AI editing
DeletePraise God we have One who watche's over us in all things, I pray it remains settled.
ReplyDeleteMeds always have side affect so avoid if you can.
They keep me alive and I live daily with those side affects too. I have loW BP due to my condition, it makes me struggle a lot.
As I go regularly I don't have white coat syndrome but the other day it took 3 goes to get my BP.
Dr asked if I feel light headed. A little but mainly just I feel crummy. .
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x
I'm so sorry to hear about your chronic health issues, Shaz. It is especially difficult when the side effects of our prescribed drugs are worse than the condition itself. Debby, who commented above, also struggles with low blood pressure. That can be just as alarming as the high pressure. But I'm with you - we are so blessed to have the ONE who sees us where we are and always offers His loving, comforting arms when we seek Him.
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Side effects - boy do I know about those. Every night and some days are an adventure in tolerance.
DeleteMy BP runs low, but always seems high at the doctor's office. The last time, I told the nurse that was unusually high and showed her my phone app that links with my home BP machine. She suggested we try the other arm, and that reading was similar to my home recordings. Just the difference in arms used. Crazy stuff. Glad yours is showing good readings at home! Prayers lifted!! xo
ReplyDeleteHow wild is that, Terri? The arm used certainly could make a difference in the numbers. The doctors both used my left one and at home, we've been using the right. Maybe I'll have Danny switch back to the left one just to be sure.
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Be still and know. Such excellent words! I enjoy being a homebody as well. I hope your blood pressure stays normal. I take 200 mg of CoQ10 and 20 of lycopene daily and that controls my blood pressure well! Blessings to you my friend. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you Aloha
ReplyDeleteYes, these are excellent words to remember and live by, Cloudia. I'm so glad the medications you've been prescribed are working so well for you and keeping you in the normal range of what your blood pressure should look like. And I'm glad to know you're a fellow homebody, too. :)
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Well, I like being at home too. With a few 'going outs' on the side.
ReplyDeleteMy BP runs high, but I am on medication. Are you? Or that maybe you will have to go on medication?
I know you are worried. I hope it all works out. God is with you.
Yes, Sandie, I am on Amlodipine, 10 mg once per day. If my blood pressure continued to by high, I'm sure the doctors would just up the dosage. Since we've been monitoring the BP at home, the numbers have drastically improved, so I am greatly relieved and so is Danny.
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My BP seems to be fine everytime I get it checked which usually is every six months. The first time, I had to monitor my day by carrying a portable monitor one around for 24 hours including sleeping. I had no problems and was grateful for that. I'm not a fan of GPs but it's good to know if every thing is normal and fine. Sending prayers your way for a great result. Blessings to you, Martha.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your prayers, Bill, and I'm so glad to know that high blood pressure is not a health issue for you. Good news! Keep taking those great walks and getting the gorgeous photos you share with us.
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I'm in the midst of the daily BP checks to see if a raise in dosage will curb my climbing systolic reading. This, in spite of a careful, low-salt diet and almost daily exercise. BUT! I feel much younger than my years--minimal arthritis, with good strength and energy for the day. I can't complain! May your diagnosis be a simple case of White Coat Syndrome and nothing more, Martha!
ReplyDeleteIt really looks like this is a classic case of WCS, Nancy, and I'm so relieved! I'm glad to know that your systolic reading isn't holding you back from daily activities, and that you're feeling so good overall. That's great news!
DeleteMartha, I'm thankful your BP is returning to a normal range for you. That's concerning. It's a wonderful analogy to being still before the Lord and giving our burdens to Him instead of the pressure of carrying them ourselves. God bless!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Karen! We are told so many times in Scripture that we are not to worry about anything, but give all our cares to Jesus. He will carry them for us. Let us be still before the presence of God.
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Not that it's shocking, Martha, but you've pointed yet another area where that we share similar values. Like you, I love my routines. They make life feel normal and comfortable and it helps me get things done. Regarding the doctor appointments, I think Diane and I have one for every organ and system we have and I have said repeatedly that I'm convinced that I have more pictures of the inside of me than the outside.
ReplyDeleteAbout the blood pressure--we're praise the Lord with you that the numbers are better, and glad to hear about the improvement. Also, even though I hate having to head off to another waiting room for another session with somebody in a white coat, I'm grateful that such resources exist and that we have access to them. When we were in some of the remote areas in Alaska, people died from disorders that would have been easily corrected if they could have gotten to them. But when there's no way to get to them, they might as well not exist. But all in all, thanks for today's visit with you and another reason to celebrate the loving care of our Great Physician.
I, too, am grateful that the kind of care we need as we age is readily available, Ron. The persistent heart issues that Danny has could never allow us to live anywhere remote from civilization, and I do hate hearing that some people in this country cannot get the immediate care they need. Your statement (humorous!) that you all have more photos of your "innards" than you do of your outside is something with which so many of us can identify. But as good as doctors are these days, I'll trust my ultimate healing to our loving Great Physician.
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Oh Martha! I know how scary that must've been, but what a blessing to know that it is already getting back to normal, and perhaps it was just a momentary fluke. I know when our son was having that heat exhaustion issue last week I couldn't get a decent reading of his BP with our home BP cuff kit. That's when we decided to head to the ER, and finally things calmed down for him, and the rest is history. I pray that God will help you to stay "cool, calm, and collected", and that your body will return to its natural rhythms and you will be back to your "old self" again. Yes, we sometimes have to just slow down and smell the roses for a while and let ourselves be restored and revived. (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteYes, that was such a scare with Benton last week, Pamela, and I'm so very glad you all took him to the ER when you did. Quick thinking! And I'm so happy to know, as you are, that he is back to normal. Thanks for your concern for me, my friend. The BP readings have truly returned to where they ought to be, and I'm taking things a bit easier. So thankful to the Lord for that.
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Oh White Fright. Yeah, I hear ya. Nothing like a whole bunch of doctor visits to unsettle us. Yet, thankfully we have doctors we can trust where so many these days have limited access to any kind of health care. I trust your quiet days at home will soothe your spirit ... and bring you comfort and peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Linda! Yes, simply being at home has been a balm for my soul and my health. The BP readings for the last few days have been well within the normal range, and I thank God for His healing and provision.
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The Be Still plaque is one of my favorites. I have a cross with the same verse. As for the blood pressure, I took my readings twice daily for 3 years after being told I had a heart attack. According to my cardiologist , turned out there was no heart attack. Now I take my blood pressure once daily as I need. I also have the white coat syndrome at the doctor's office.
ReplyDeleteHugs and Blessings
I'm glad to hear I'm not alone when it comes to the WCS, Jim. How in the world did the cardiologist think you had a heart attack when you didn't??? Oh, well, doctors are human beings and just as prone to mistakes as any of us. Our "Be Still" plaque hangs on a wall of our foyer, so I see it every day as we go up and down our stairs. It is one of my favorite verses.
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Boa noite, Martha
ReplyDeleteGraças a Deus você está bem em relação a sua pressão, o Senhor cuida de nós em todo tempo, um forte abraço.
God certainly does, Lucinalva, and I can't thank Him enough for His love and provision when we need it the most.
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It's completely understandable to feel "under pressure" with a string of appointments, especially when those numbers jump! I'm so glad to hear that your home readings are looking good and that your doctors aren't overly concerned. White Coat Syndrome is definitely a real thing, and it sounds like embracing your peaceful homebody routine is exactly what you need. That last paragraph is a beautiful reminder for us all!
ReplyDeleteI just shared a new post, I invite you to read and let me know what you think.
Thanks for your encouraging words here, Melody. Yes, I'm encouraged by the normal numbers I'm now getting. I'll stop by to visit your blog.
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Nice to know that everything goes well there with you dear martha jane, wish you all the beautiful moments to come, blessing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Hassan, for your kind thoughts and words here today.
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I can understand your concern and glad you are checking though. I am like you too in loving those quiet days at. home. They are the best!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Jean, they are! The week ahead won't be so quiet, but there will be days when staying at home will be so welcome.
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I can totally relate to the joy of a quiet, routine-filled day at home.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear things are looking up for you—praying for continued good health and many calm, comforting days ahead! 🙏
Thanks so much, Veronica, for your prayers. They are so appreciated! Yes, I'm glad to say my BP is still well within the normal range ever since I've been taking it at home. The doctors will be pleased.
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Martha, my husband is a homebody, too, and I have become one, more so, since our marriage three years ago. Like you, we like a day where we don't need to go anywhere in the car, just process through the days with our habits and routines -- that suits us very well. And when we leave the house for grocery shopping or appointments, etc, we do our absolute best to plan those things in the morning hours.
ReplyDeleteSo when the blood pressure is high, with that kind of lifestyle, one wonders why???? Well, give yourself a break with the thought that some blood pressure problems are hereditary and not our fault at all. It just is what it is.
White coat syndrome -- yes, there's that. AND some blood pressure machines are better at giving an accurate reading than others. That is definitely true.
I hope this problem resolves itself soon and that you can be free of serious concerns about it. Thanks for sharing; you are not alone in your thoughts about such things.
Thanks so much, Barbara, for your encouraging, comforting words of affirmation. That means so much! I'm happy to report that Danny's been taking my blood pressure for over a week now, and it's consistently been in the normal range. What a relief! I really was WCS after all.
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What a comforting thought, knowing Someone bigger and more powerful is always in control.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Lux. God is always large and in charge, as I like to say.
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Quiet days tell you how you are blessed. Happy June
ReplyDeleteThey certainly do. May you have a wonderful June, too.
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Martha Jane: I understand your thinking about staying in. I also understand the angst you have about going to the doctors. I had to see two of my specialists in the past two weeks. I canceled my third appointment for today due to an upset stomach. God does take care of us and our loved ones. Be blessed.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Cecelia, God takes care of all His children, and we are blessed to be among those. Happy to say, my blood pressure has returned to a normal range, and has remained there day after day. Couldn't hope for anything better.
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Such a Lovely blog you have here!
ReplyDeleteReading here for the first time. I'm from Holland.
I love those days where I can just be at home with my family.
So glad you stopped by today, Rachelle, and thanks for your kind words here. Yes, the days we can be home with family are the best.
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