Vegetarian Blues

Saw my hot hematologist today so he could clear me for surgery.

No such luck.

Seems my platelet count is about the same as always, on the low side, so he's gotta call Dr. Berger (or "Lew" because he and my hematologist are BFFs) to see if a few days of steroids are in order.

I really hate that my platelet count is so low. On an intellectual level, I know that my eat right-exercise-do no harm philosophy doesn't guarantee good health. But g*ddamn. It should.

Then my brother sends me this:

Risks and benefits of vegetarian diets

Vegetarian diets have been credited with decreasing the incidence of severity of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diverticular, osteoporosis and cancer of the breast, colon, prostateand lung.

In general, both morbidity and mortality rates for coronary artery disease are lower among vegetarians than non-vegetarians, possibly because of better bloodlipid profiles.

The vegetarian diet may lead to a decrease in plasma cholesterol and an increase in the ratio of high-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Vegetarian diets contain a higher ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, which may reduce platelet aggregation and blood clotting, possibly by altering the fatty acid composition of blood platelets.

My meatloaf-eating parents are thrilled right now.

What's the solution? I'm not giving up my cruelty-free diet. Perhaps there is some herbal tea that'll clear this up. I don't want to take steroids.

Although, if I do, and steroids make me want to kick some ass... maybe we can stage a boxing match between me and Michael Hussey with the proceeds benefitting me. Shopping spree. Victoria's Secret?

I think I can take him. With or without the juice.