Coloring mandala pictures is often suggested as a method of relaxation. I received more than one book from well-meaning friends back when I was recovering from surgery. One interesting observation during this time = coloring is not therapeutic. I do not find coloring relaxing – too many color choices – too many decisions for where to put all those colors – spaces to put the colors are too small to stay in the lines = all around frustrating. I do think they are pretty when they are done.

For much of my adult life I’ve made it a priority to see my PCP regularly. Usually this was just for annual checkups, and I felt kinda silly since there was nothing needing to be addressed. I was happy to do this because I was always told “everything looks good, see you next year”. I now have way more providers involved in my care on a more frequent basis – I miss the olden days.

Now my visits with my PCP are spent joking about the new issue(s) my body has invented to require more attention. In my last visit with her, she stated – our goal is to keep you within the lines. She was referring to my lab values. I’ve mentioned in the past I have lab work done every 4 weeks just before my butt dart. Things have started to shift – more of these numbers are trending toward one or the other end of normal. Several are staying outside the lines.

Because of this shift I currently have 5 separate lab scripts to complete over the next 2-3 months. This is in addition to 3 scripts for various testing and one prep sheet for another test – which have been ordered based on lab values and symptoms. This is a lot of paperwork to track, to remember to bring with me at the right time, and get myself to the correct location.

My new hope is for lab values and test results to be WNL [within normal limits]. Trying to keep my body in the lines is frustrating.