Test Results and Treatment Plans

I finally had my follow up doctor appointment to get the results of the blood tests.  And it wasn’t pretty.

• Severe anemia pattern, so low that unless we get it up quickly I’ll need IV therapy.
• Possible Hyperparathyroidism (not the same as thyroid issues), will need surgery…one more blood test was done on Thursday to confirm.
• Not enough oxygen in the blood cells.
• Red blood cells not regenerating fast enough, causing inflammation and blocking my body’s ability to absorb the nutrients I need (like iron).
• Multiple food intolerances.
• Pre-diabetes
• Red blood cells shrinking, causing a wide variety of sizes (apparently they are all supposed to be pretty similar in size to keep your body working properly).
• Liver not doing it's job properly, probably because of the inflammation.
• And more.

Luckily, the doctor I’m working with is an endocrine specialist, and he feels confident that I can get on a holistic treatment plan and improve.  We are looking at 6 months of treatment, and an out-of-pocket cost of more than $5,000, and the goal is simply for me to have more good days than bad….but you know what, I’ll take it.

Part of the treatment plan is nutritional.  I've got a very specific meal plan, along with half a dozen supplements.  Here's the gist of it:

• Food to avoid:  dairy, eggs, gluten, tomatoes, dehydrated fruit, rice, corn, potatoes, soda, fruit juices, iodized salt, sweeteners of any kind, soy, peanuts, beef, pork, shellfish, cold cuts, bacon, hot dogs, canned meat, sausage.
• Food I CAN eat:  herbal teas (with no sweetener), quinoa, buckwheat, fresh fruits, fresh veggies, sea salt, individual spices, peas, beans, fish (except shellfish), unsweetened coconut and almond milk, raw nuts (except peanuts), flax seeds, moderate amounts of chicken and turkey, moderate amounts of sweet potato.
• Drink a MINIMUM of 75 oz/day.  This is gonna be tough for me.  I suck at drinking water, but it's critical, due to the types of supplements I'm taking.
• Breakfast with one ClearVite drink and 5 supplements, snack, lunch with 4 supplements and ClearVite, snack, dinner with 5 supplements and ClearVite, and bedtime snack.  Each at specific times.
• 2 doctor appts/week for the first phase, then 1/week for phase 2 (about a month into the program), and then eventually once every other week.  
• Allowed foods may change upon getting the food panel tests back.  We'll see!

I'm not gonna lie, I'm freaked out.  BUT, I'm ready to do what I have to do to get better, once and for all!  And hey, at least I'll be allowed to eat bananas when this diet gets me depressed. ;) Wish me luck.  Today is my last day eating the way I normally eat - and I plan on living it up! lol