Thursday, January 17, 2013

I Cheated on Dr. Swank

Oh, the shame. But let me quickly point out that this was entirely our neighbors' fault. That's right, I will accept zero responsibility for shoveling in yummy pasta with homemade sauce (only the teeniest bit of meat), half a cannoli, and to-die-for garlic bread. Oh, yeah, and some salad. How are our neighbors to blame for forcing me to stray from Dr. S? Well, because they invited us over. And I HAD to eat what they made, right? Yes. Yes, I did. So there.

Since then, I've been Swanking, baby! I made the Skewered Scallops last night in the broiler. They had a nice mustardy/honey baste and were really, really good and easy. Tonight my mom is coming over, so she can accompany me to the neurologist's appointment tomorrow, and I'm busting out a classic (in that I've made it once): Baked Fish au Chablis. Another easy, tasty dinner.

Now about that appointment: I'm nervous. As a hypochondriac I hate going to the doctor perhaps even more than "ordinary" people do. I've been feeling kind of sh!tty for a few days, in fact, but I didn't figure out what was bothering me until today when I talked to someone about why I was down. It probably sounds very silly to someone who doesn't know where I'm coming from, but I hate looking at the MRI of my brain and cervical spine with the neuro. He has already gotten the written report, but tomorrow will be the first time he sees the images. I will watch him, trying to gauge his response. Inside I'm a nervous wreck, anticipating a slight intake of breath on his part and a, "Hmmmm, I don't like the looks of THAT," as he points to a whitish blob on the screen. From there my imagination goes completely wild, and if you can think of a horrible disease (besides MS), I'm way ahead of you. Not only do I *have* it, but I've had it for years (it was missed or misdiagnosed on earlier MRIs).

In short, that's why my wonderful mom is going with me -- for moral support. My husband usually has this delightful job, but he's started working at a new place, so he doesn't have enough time off accumulated. I'll get him next time!


8 comments:

  1. So, you fell off the Swank wagon eh? Not to worry, it happens to us all...well me anyway. I never sweat over a little, (or big) transgression.

    Good luck tomorrow.

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    1. Yeah, right off that Swanky wagon. It was surprisingly (or not) easy. I'm back on (grudgingly). Glad to know it's not just me. (People who are *too* disciplined are so annoying!)

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  2. The Swank diet sounds difficult to me. I would fall off the wagon so much I'd have skidmarks on my face.

    Best of luck at the doc. Don't let one person's perspective ruin your spirit. Do what is best for you.

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    1. MOS,

      It is challenging if you don't have lots of time to cook and/or make things from scratch. Picking up the phone and ordering Thai or pizza is no longer an option (unless you get cheese-free pizza, I suppose). I have found I like cooking (who knew?!), so in that sense I'm enjoying it. For the most part, the recipes have been very good. Hopefully, the payoff will be worth the effort.

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  3. I hope things went ok at the neuro. I kind of know what you mean... I still remember the look on the tech's face the first time I'd just done an MRI that actually had showed something. He was just too... kind and concerned. As I was leaving, he wished me luck with just a bit too much emphasis, you know? I knew he'd seen something.

    At any rate, I hope it was an ok appointment. It's great you have someone supportive to go with you.

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    1. Ha! I always examine the MRI tech's face after my hour-plus in the tube. Without fail, they've been nice, so naturally I assume it's because there's always something there. Ugh. By now, I'm just hoping it's MS lesions and not something...else. (Which, of course, I usually AM thinking.)

      I am lucky, indeed, to have someone to go with me.

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  4. so...how is the diet working out for you? as much as i've read about how good it supposed to be for us, i just can't do it...im not even going to try! there are some things that i'm just NOT willing to give up.

    hats off to you, you're stronger then i'll ever be!

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  5. Hi S.S-O!

    The diet has gone from pretty sucky to not bad at all. I thought I would DIE the first time I tried tofurkey and cheeseless pizza. Fortunately, I've never been a big red meat eater, so that part wasn't hard to give up. Chocolate and cheese, though...that's been rough. My husband figured out if you drizzle a little vegetable oil on fat free cheese, it melts really well, so we can have pizza after all. It's not quite the same as delivery, but still...desperate times and all.

    As for how I *feel* -- not much different. I guess there's no real way to know. Ask me in 35 years! In theory, I will still be mobile and healthy. Fingers crossed (I better be, for giving up chocolate, for Pete's sake).

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