by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Another doctor visit. Another food group I’ve been told to eliminate from my diet in an attempt to control the inflammation my various auto-immune diseases create. Dairy.

Oy, vey.

As my doctor and I discussed this, I told her I felt rather deprived. She asked me how I felt when I ate gluten.

Sick.

So…?

Yeah, so if I eliminate all dairy I should feel better. Harumph.

I told her I’d give it three weeks to decide whether I’ll comply completely or not. Three months. I’ll re-access at that point. I’ve got it marked on my calendar. Really. I do.

No more cheese. No more gluten-free pizza with cheese. No more Mexican food with cheese. No more casseroles with cheese.

No more butter. Chocolate. Yogurt. Feta. Zaziki. Sour cream. Cheetos…

No more ice cream.

Even sherbert has milk in it.

BUT…

 

Pilot, wonderful man that he is, scoured the freezer section at the store and found coconut milk ice cream. YES!

I don’t drink cow’s milk so giving that up is not a problem. Why couldn’t it just be cow’s milk?

Does my doctor understand how much cutting dairy out of my diet further limits what I can eat?

She assured me she did when I mentioned something about eating an old toothpick. Mint flavored.

I know there are many folks worse off than me. I realize that. There are people with multiple food allergies who don’t complain. I understand. People with tragic situations. I know. (Side note…the day before the doctor visit, as I looked through my gluten-free cookbook and noticed ingredient substitutions listed for those who were also dairy-free, I thanked God I wasn’t in that group. Ha. Proverbs 16:9 came to mind.)

Right now, I’m adjusting. And complaining.

Well, I’m not full-on complaining. Just grumping a little. I know I’ll get over it and do what I have to do.

Just one more challenge when we eat out or go to potlucks.

You know…people really don’t appreciate it when you ask what’s in the dish they brought, and then you pass it by.

“I’ve been reading Exodus and Leviticus recently,” my doctor said as we exited the exam room together.

I had a feeling I knew where she was going with this but waited. I’ve read the Pentateuch numerous times, myself.

“All those Hebrews did was complain…”

“I know.” I said. “‘Why didn’t you just let us die in Egypt?'”

“‘Why did you bring us to this desert to die?'” She smiled. “I always enjoy our visits.”

Well, I’d enjoy our visits a whole lot more if she’d stop telling me I have to eliminate something else from my diet.

And I’m still waiting for the results of the three vials of blood that were drawn.

Like I said, “Oy, vey”.

Fortunately, God knows what that will turn up. Woven and spun…

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

 “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.” Exodus 16:3 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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