Print this

Trans-Fatty-Formation (Vol. 4, No. 40)

I sat upright on the examining table.  Determined to take the bad news like a man, I faced Dr. Al and leaned forward.

“Can’t find a thing wrong with you.  I think your dizzy spells are sympathy-related,” the good doctor told me as he peered over the tops of his half-glasses.  “I think after your wife has her baby, you’ll be feeling much better.  But, I’m going to order some blood tests just in case.”

The next week, Dr. Al’s nurse called.  The blood test did have two abnormal readings, she explained.  Not to worry, though.  It seems that my “good cholesterol” was higher than the normal range and my “bad cholesterol” was lower.  A good thing, she assured me.  Just keep doing what you’re doing.

That was about 25 years ago and I didn’t know much about cholesterol.  And so, after Jeremy was born and my spells went away, I promptly quit doing what I had been doing.  My morning jogs ended.  Other activities became less active. 

It was a far different story some seven years later.  In the intervening span, our second son, Justin, was born, I went through the first of several mid-life crises, completed law school, moved to Abilene, and continued my sedentary lifestyle.  The fact that I was getting paid to sit quietly around the law office – doing legal research and drafting pleadings – seemed to make it right.

Yet, I was sitting on an examining table again.  This time, Dr. John was completing his examination.  He thought a blood test would be a good idea since I was a new patient.

The call the next week was from Dr. John himself.  “Cholesterol’s high.  You want to come by and pick up your new diet plan or do you want me to mail it?”  Dr. John is known for his detailed communication style.

I opted for mailing.  In theory, I would have a couple of days to eat whatever I wanted – and to delay telling Nancy.

I wish I could say that I could remember that 48-hour binge on things soon to be banned.  But I can’t.  In fact, I can hardly remember the year-long experience I had on a stringent, low-fat diet.  I do remember the results.  Cholesterol level dropped.  Pounds that I had put on years before melted away.

It was then, with a bit of success under my belt (or perhaps, no longer under my belt),  I decided that I could take a more moderate approach.

I started eating red meat again.  Chips reappeared next to my sandwiches.  We began to select pizza parlors based on the quality of pizza instead of the salad bar.  I countered the onslaught of these digestibles by increasing my knowledge of cholesterol and what it does.  Even became familiar with trans-fatty acids and esters.  Experimented with health drinks and vitamins.

My cholesterol is high again and all of the weight I once lost is back .  Dr. John is still concerned.  But since I don’t seem to be able to take control of the situation, he takes comfort in the fact that there are marvelous drugs that can “help” me.  So, three times a week I take a little pill.  My cholesterol level has edged downward but remains in the danger zone. 

Now my battle with a physical ailment has become transactional.  I address it with a tiny caplet of chemicals, a moderate diet, and an equally moderate exercise routine.  As I check those items off my list, I feel no satisfaction.  You see, I know what it would take to change my outlook.  I need to be transformed, not merely fixated on the transactions. 

I think that’s why other parts of my life are unsatisfactory.  I’m so busy transacting business – doing the right things – I lose sight of doing what is right.  And while I’m aware of the dangers, I somehow continue to fail to move to a transformed life.

For now, just indulge me one more transaction.  I’m praying fervently to be transformed.  Care to join me?

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us . . .”  Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV).

Shine On!

copyright 2004 Joe L. Cope