webgrits

McCain vs Obama: The Dance Off

h/t The Anchoress

Infusion #3 - All By Myself

After dragging my husband to the first infusion and my brother to the second, I decided that I was going to my third infusion by myself. After all, I'm a big girl, and I can be as tough as the next guy. Or so I thought...

The nurse turned out to be the one from my first infusion. As she was getting out her IV implements, she proceeded to tell me how she hadn't had the best day IV-wise. She even blew two veins on some poor man earlier in the day.

WHAT KIND OF NURSE TELLS THAT TO A PATIENT?! ESPECIALLY A PATIENT THAT IS A HARD STICK AND CRIED LIKE A BABY DURING HER LAST IV?!

The entire time she's talking to me, I just wanted to tell her to shut up. I decided that wasn't a very nice thing to say to someone with a needle pointed at my hand. I gritted my teeth and vowed to suck it up...until I saw the vein in my hand blow up like a balloon.

Blown veins: 3
Nurse: 0

Since she was batting .000, I decided the best thing I could do was let her stick my wrist. She wasn't around for my last infusion, so I told her that I don't like getting stuck in my good wrist too much, lest it get too scarred to use. I should have kept my mouth shut, because she decided, without telling me, to insert the needle a little lower than usual along the vein...which hurt like HELL. Her response? "I knew it would hurt a lot." Thanks for letting me know, lady.

So, the big, tough girl who didn't need anyone with her at her infusion ended up crying...again.

After my little crying jag, the infusion went without a hitch. I called my husband and my brother to let them know I'd survived. I read a little, watched a little TV, ate a little chocolate. Two hours later, it was over.

Luckily, removing the IV was much easier than starting it (although the nurse did manage to get blood on the sheets and the floor). Afterward, I stopped by the snack bar and bought a Sprite, which helped the nausea a great deal. I drove myself home and relaxed in my comfy recliner, and the nausea only lasted a few hours.

Last week, I had some blood work done to see if the infusions are doing any good. A sed rate is a blood test that indicates the amount of inflammation in the body (Crohn's is inflammation of the digestive system), and normal for a female my age is 20 or lower. When I got sick a few months ago, my sed rate was 90. My sed rate, after 3 infusions, is TWELVE! My sed rate hasn't been lower than the high 20s since 1992 (when I first got sick).

Tomorrow is my appointment with my gastro. I'm hoping he will decrease my Entocort dosage. In any case, I'm in remission, and that's an answered prayer.

One casserole to rule them all

In its previous incarnation, my blog included a handful of recipes. The jalapeno grits casserole recipe was by far the most popular. My manager four jobs ago would make this for department breakfasts, and I've made it as a side dish for many a dinner. Every time we have Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner at my aunt's, she requests it. My brother hates grits, and he loves this. It used to be on the side of the grits bag, but they've started printing a different (read "not as good") version.

Jalapeno Cheese Grits Casserole

4 cups water
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup Jim Dandy® Quick Grits
4 oz. (1 cup) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
8 oz. process cheese with jalapeno peppers, cubed
¼ cup butter or margarine
3 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons chopped jalapeno peppers
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Paprika

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish. In large saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Stir in grits. Cover; reduce heat to low. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cheeses and butter until melted. Add eggs, jalapeno pepper, and Worcestershire sauce; mix well. Pour mixture into greased baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes before serving. 6 to 8 servings.

Courtesy of Jim Dandy®, Martha White Foods

Kerry's Notes

• Don't use cheap grits or cheese - just trust me on this one.
• For the processed cheese, I use Velveeta Mild Mexican.
• Unless you really like washing a pan a dozen times to get it clean, cook the grits in a non-stick pan.
• Most people think 2 tablespoons of jalapeno is too hot. I don't, but to each their own.
• It's never set after 45 minutes. Plan on 50.
• Makes a great breakfast and side dish (especially with pork chops).

East to West

As the height of heaven above earth, so strong is his faithful love for those who fear him.
As the distance of east from west, so far from us does he put our faults.
(Psalms 103:11-12, NJB)