This Too Shall Pass

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“This too shall pass…”

I can’t count even begin to tell you how many times my mom has said that to me, and for many very different scenarios. I hate to admit it, but she has always been right. Moms are almost always right, unfortunately.

Okay, so here’s my current situation. I got my wisdom teeth out this Monday. Up until about 2 weeks ago, I thought I was one of the lucky few that never had to get my wisdom teeth taken out. Many years ago the dentist told me that, a) I only had 2 on the top, b) they were up so high they may never come down, and c) if they did grow in, they would likely not cause an issue or require removal. However, I went to the dentist a few weeks ago and obviously got some quite different news. My wisdom teeth had started to grow in, and they informed me that I would eventually have to get them out, but there was really no hurry. Well, since I still have a few weeks until I start my big-girl job, I figured I might as well get it over with while I have some time off. Smart, right?

So the time came this Monday morning to get them removed. I was very nervous about the procedure; especially after reading all of the paperwork they give you where you basically have to sign your life away. “Yes, I understand I might get dry sockets or DIE and I’m ready to take that chance.” Sitting in the waiting room for an entire hour didn’t help my nerves. But once I got in there and the surgeon put me to sleep, it was quick and painless (thank God for anesthesia). I was in and out and on my way home. The next few days went pretty smoothly too. I wasn’t in much pain at all and I was slowly reintroducing normal foods back into my diet. I followed all the instructions and completed all my warm salt-water rinses 5-6 times a day, etc. The only problem was this strange feeling I had on the left side where my tooth was removed. It felt like my sinuses were being affected and there was air in the space where my tooth used to be. I was worried that something was wrong so I called the surgeon this morning. They wanted me to come in as soon as possible so he could check things out and make sure everything was okay.

After I told him what was going on and he took a look inside my mouth, he determined that I did in fact have a fistula. In other words, there was an opening between my sinuses and my mouth that was caused by the surgery. The very first thing I asked him was, “Am I going to be able to workout?” I’ve had to take 4 days off from the gym since I got them removed in the first place, which has been too much for me to handle already. He replied, “If you’re lifting? No. But you can walk.” I know this is super dramatic, but I immediately started crying. He asked if I had a competition coming up or something, which was flattering, but trust me, I don’t look THAT good. Haha, just kidding; he must’ve thought this was the only logical explanation for my reaction. I said, “No… it’s just what I do. Every day.” It didn’t help that he was clearly one of those men who is really uncomfortable around crying women. So then he gave me the rundown of what the next couple weeks need to look like in order for me to heal properly. I have to be on antibiotics for 2 weeks. I can’t even blow my nose or use a straw for 2-3 more weeks. I can’t spit. I can’t sneeze (like we always have a choice in the matter?!) And best of all, I can’t do any “heavy lifting, straining or bearing down” for 2-3 more weeks. This includes weights and running/vigorous cardio, AKA what I love to do every day. For those of you who know me well, you know how hard this will be for me. I don’t just workout for my health and to improve my body; I do it mostly for my mind. To me, exercising is the perfect way to start my day with a positive attitude, a clear mind, and it relieves my stress. I already have anxiety from missing 4 days at the gym.

So, needless to say, I cried my way out of his office and all the way home. Like a little cry baby. I couldn’t help it. I was so upset. I just kept thinking, “Why did this happen to me?”

Once I finally ran out of tears, it hit me. With the events that occurred in Chattanooga this week, along with countless other shootings in my hometown over the last month, and some of the things going on in my very close friends’ lives, my problem doesn’t even begin to compare. So many people are going through things that I can’t even fathom. How could I be so selfish? This is not to say that we all can’t get sad, mad, or frustrated when life doesn’t go quite like we wanted it to. But when that does happen, try to put it in perspective. In the grand scheme of things, will this be a significant event in my life? Will it change the way my life turns out? Probably not. Will I be frustrated for the next couple weeks knowing that I can’t go to the gym and run as many miles/lift as many weights as I want? Absolutely. But right now I gotta do what I gotta do for my health, which is the most important thing. As much as it sucks, it will be worth it once I’m healed. As a health professional, I know how important it is to take care of yourself now to benefit yourself in the long-run. Which is why I will be doing nothing but walking my butt off for the next couple weeks.

Basically what I’m trying to get across is that life happens. When you least expect it. And sometimes it really sucks. But do your best to stay positive and focus on all the things you can be thankful for. Count your blessings. In general, I am in great health, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. I have amazing friends and family. I have a job. I have a roof over my head. I have so much, and this is just a minor speed bump in life that I will easily overcome. I will focus my energy in other positive ways over the next few weeks, because moping about it will do nothing but drive ME and the people around me absolutely crazy. If you’re going through a hard time right now, try to do the same. Stay positive, and remember that “this too shall pass”.

Lastly, if you are blessed with the ability to exercise, DO IT for yourself as well as for those who can’t due to health problems, surgeries, and countless other reasons. You are doing yourself AND all of us a favor. 🙂

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I am also going to share a recipe for those of you who are only in this for the food. 😉 (You know who you are, people!) The other day, I decided to bake some Oat Bran Blueberry Muffins, mostly because I knew it was something I would actually be able to eat. And because my brother always loves having something that he can take on-the-go for breakfast. This recipe is not only extremely easy, but it’s super healthy. Oat bran is a great source of soluble fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol! These muffins are low in fat and calories, and they are TASTY!

Oat Bran Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Quaker Oat Bran Hot Cereal, uncooked
• ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar (or 2 tbsp. Splenda Brown Sugar Blend)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt (optional – I didn’t use any!)
• 1 cup skim milk or 2% milk (I used skim)
• 2 egg whites, slightly beaten
• ¼ cup honey or molasses
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (I substituted canola oil because it is low in saturated fat, and high in monounsaturated fat, which is heart healthy! I recommend making this substitution if possible.)
• ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries (optional, but such a yummy addition!)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Line 12-16 muffin cups with paper baking cups or spray bottoms only with no-stick cooking spray.
3. Combine dry ingredients; mix well.
4. Add combined milk, egg whites (slightly beaten), honey and oil; mix just until dry ingredients are moistened. Do not over-mix.
5. Fill prepared muffin cups approximately ¾ full.
6. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. (Mine were perfect at about 14 minutes – every oven varies, so watch carefully!)

Variations: stir into batter ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries or 1 medium mashed, ripe banana. (This time I went with blueberries, but next time I may try it with banana and some dark chocolate chips!)

This recipe can be found on the back of the Quaker Oat Bran box, as well! Oat bran can be found in most grocery stores located by the other hot cereal. It may also be hiding in the health section – that’s where I found mine!

If you make 1 dozen muffins according to original recipe:
Nutrition information for 1 plain muffin = 120 calories, 3 g total fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 90 mg sodium, 19 g total carbohydrate, 2 g dietary fiber, and 4 g protein.

I made 16 muffins, and used Splenda Brown Sugar/canola oil/NO salt:

ENJOY! 🙂

eat well. live well. be happy. And today, count your blessings.

Shanna, RD