My Annual Check Up

This week I had my annual check up with my physician, Dr. Mark McCracken. The check up was not too severe (blood work, vitals, review of history, etc.), but I am always glad to have a chance to see the doctor just to make certain everything is okay in his estimation. Our family started using Dr. McCracken as our physician not too long after he started his practice with Dr. Emory Smith. We initially tried to become patients of another doctor, but his staff told us that he wasn’t accepting any new patients. So, we found out that Dr. McCracken has just moved to the Statesboro area, so we chose to become some of his first patients. He had moved here from the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, and we were pleased to go see him since we were new to Statesboro as well. He has given us excellent care, and we have been blessed with him as our physician. About a year ago, he and his wife, Julie, became members of First Baptist Church, so our relationship is even more connected now that I am his pastor.

Some good news from my annual check up was that my “bad” cholesterol had actually gone down 14 points. I have been trying (but not always succeeding) to make better food choices and to be more active, so I was pleased that my cholesterol had dropped. It was never too bad, but the doctor tells me that it can become more of a challenge as I get older. So, at least for now, I have dropped it some and am please that it is headed in the right direction. My blood pressure is perfect, blood sugar is great, liver functions fine, and no other indicators of problems or worries. Other than being overweight—I might as well say, shouldn’t I, since everyone reading this blog is thinking it, eh? But, believe it or not, I was down 7 pounds from my last check up—and who knows—maybe I will be down a little more next time.