Day + 147, The Cardiologist (cont'd)

So, where was I. Oh yes, I was talking about yesterday's visit to the lipid clinic.

I met with Dr. Ballady, one of the cardiologists at the clinic. A very nice man. He reviewed my records and health history, followed by a examination of my heart and lungs (through a stethoscope, of course... he didn't open me up.) Overall, he was pleased that despite my cholesterol and tryglyercide issues, there weren't any other problems he could see on my labs.

He said that there wasn't any changes that he could see, other than taking me off of the Vytorin, and to stop drinking alcohol.

What?!? No alcohol? Geez. I'm running out of vices here.

Afterwards, I consulted with Livia, the nutrionist at the clinic who I met during my initial evaluation in June. I eat a very simple, low junk-food diet, so there wasn't much that she could add to help me reduce triglycerides through diet. Instead, we talked about ways that I could regain the weight that I lost during the chemo. Since I was just told not to drink alcohol, so my "all beer diet" would have to be shafted for Plan B.

I got a printout of some recipes to stuff me like a turkey at Thanksgiving, and that was it.

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So... here's the my new drug lineup (drumroll)

• 10mg Midodrine, three times a day (for low blood pressure)
  
• 100 mg Lasix, once in the late afternoon (for the edema)
  
• 145mg Tricor (for the high tryglycerides)

So, slowly I'm weaning myself off of all these drugs. I expect to be on the Tricor for at least the next two months. Until then, it's non-alcoholic cocktails for me.