ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: NancyMc on April 05, 2009, 12:16:45 pm

Title: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: NancyMc on April 05, 2009, 12:16:45 pm
I think it is how I deal with stress . . . baking, that is.  So, I got up early this morning and made flax,oat, carrot, apple, walnut, raisin muffins, and they were so good that I decided to load up a basket to take to the surgical team on Wednesday morning.  But that wasn't enough, so I baked blueberry corn muffins with my homegrown blueberries.  Am I nuts?  Will they even let me take those to the surgical team?
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: Jim Scott on April 05, 2009, 02:31:50 pm
Nancy ~

Keeping busy baking muffins is probably a very healthy way to deal with stress.  The results of your bake-a-thon sound delicious!  I'm sure the surgical team will be delighted with your culinary gift.  :)

Jim
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: lori67 on April 05, 2009, 06:05:58 pm
The doctors probably won't want them, but I wouldn't want them to go to waste, so just send them here and I'll make sure they get eaten - every last crumb!   ;)

Ok, maybe the doctors want them, I was just trying to score some homemade muffins.

I brought homemade Christmas cookies to my doctors office last year - you would have thought those people hadn't eaten in a month!  I'm pretty sure they were gone before I even made it to the elevator.  I know your doctors and nurses will appreciate the muffins too! 

Besides, you'll want them well nourished for the job at hand.

Lori
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: tenai98 on April 06, 2009, 05:54:24 am
To handle my stress I have been Knitting...an afgan for my 5 mt old grandson. And lots of those knitted dish cloths
Good luck Nancy on Wed.
JO
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: NancyMc on April 06, 2009, 06:51:56 am
I gave all my knitting equipment to my daughter, so . . .

Good luck tomorrow, JO.  Wow, can you believe it?
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: tenai98 on April 06, 2009, 07:08:36 am
Good luck tomorrow, JO.  Wow, can you believe it?
Nancy, I know...Took so long to get here, but yet way to fast. Not sure what I'm feeling right now...Going to see my grandson shorty and then to Walmart to stock up on some wool for when I get home.
We'll both be a postie soon :)
JO
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: NancyMc on April 06, 2009, 07:15:08 am
Well, you're optimistic, JO, about knitting post-op.  I was wondering yesterday if I was going to be able to bake or iron or read!  Time will tell.  I was so close to being a postie in February and then my balloon got popped, so it seems a little unreal at this point.
I asked my brother who is a surgeon if they will let me bribe the surgical team with muffins.  Here's what he said . . .
That stuff never hurts and almost always gives you an edge.
Pretty funny.  With my luck, I'll give them all food poisoning, and the B team will have to be called in.
Well, I'll just carry the muffins along and see if they accept the offering.
Looking forward to hearing your news post-op,
nANcy
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: EJTampa on April 06, 2009, 07:24:29 am
Nancy and JO,
 
Just wanted you both to know that my prayers will be with you!  JO, yours is Tomorrow and Nancy, yours is Wednesday, right?  I should check the calendar :).  Just checked it :).
 
I see DLM4me is also scheduled on Wednesday at House!  Prayers going out to you too!
 
I bet they will accept the muffins Nancy.  They will share them with the rest of the staff as well.  Don't be surprised if they are chowing down muffins even during your surgery :).
 
As far as being able to knit or bake after surgery...I'm going to say absolutely yes!  You may not feel like it for the first week you are home, but you will soon start to get back to your old routines as the fogginess fades and the body heals.
 
Take care of yourself these next couple of days, don't do anything to jeapordize your surgery date!  No 2nd degree muffin burns or knitting needle puncuture wounds!  ;D
 
Ernie
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: NancyMc on April 06, 2009, 09:34:50 am
Too funny, Ernie.
I called and asked if they would accept the muffins for the surgical team, and they, a little too eagerly, said YES!  I wonder who really eats them.
And then I though of just that . . . eating during surgery . . . and would they be careful about crumbs falling into the craniotomy.  (I just learned that word, so I'm trying to use it.)
Is LA David on vacation?  Where's my word of the week?  I've been anxious to learn which one he applies to us lovely ladies this week.
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: JudyT on June 07, 2009, 05:24:18 pm
Nancy.....cooking is also a great stress reliever for me also. I love Italian cooking..soooo I get in my kitchen, pull up a barstool if needed and start in. As I am a widow it's just me.....1 person trying hard to maintain weight and I cook enough food to feed an army. (raised three boys) You would think I was a caterer or something. I have to call my son and ask him to come take home dinner.....he says I am the best "take out" ever and free to boot. I shop like there is going to be a famine....2 fridges...1freezer and a walkin pantry......always at the ready to "relieve the stress" It is so enjoyable for me as my son has a family of 6 and both work and they welcome whatever I send home.....grandkids even put in their requests for food from Nanny if she is in the mood to cook.......first thing they do is go to the fridge/pantry and begin the "search" Keep it up as it is a great thing and much appreciated too as well by all including us.....the "cooks". Food is good for the soul and spirits. When I have a "not so good" day....cooking/baking is very beneficial for me.
Judy
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: Adrienne on June 11, 2009, 06:30:35 pm
I made a 'Bribe basket' for my surgical team.  It went over really well, they all loved it!  It's such a long surgery, I figured they needed 'fuel'.  I made them biscotti, chocolate chip cookies, morning glory muffins and lemon blueberry scones.
(http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt309/asburyfamily/DSC02348.jpg)
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: CHD63 on June 11, 2009, 07:09:33 pm
Oh WOW ..... wish I had surgical team skills if that's what they get!! ;D  Not only delicious (I'm sure!!!!) but cleverly packaged and delivered as well!!

Clarice

Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: ghenier27 on June 11, 2009, 07:20:24 pm
Well Ladies, I am glad that I am not the only one who 'cooks' when stressed. I thought about making some dishes and freezing them so when I get home I would have to wonder about meals. But I have heard that some people experience a metal taste after surgery. Anyway, when I do to start to feel like eating- the food will be there to heat up.

I wish everyone luck on the way to their date and please keep us updated. Debi
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: sgerrard on June 11, 2009, 07:34:16 pm
I made them biscotti, chocolate chip cookies, morning glory muffins and lemon blueberry scones.

You do remember the rule that if your surgery is successful, you have to mail a basket to each of the forum moderators, right?  ;D

Steve
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: Adrienne on June 11, 2009, 08:56:29 pm
LOL Steve.

Ummmmm........can't say I heard that one?  ::)
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: NancyMc on June 12, 2009, 08:17:12 am
That's great, Adrienne!  The first thing I heard when I woke up in the OR was, "The muffins were great!"  And it's all my neurosurgeon could talk about in my first follow-up visit.  "How did you do that?  No one's ever done that before.  I had one of each kind of muffin, there were two kinds, right?  I think Dr. McKenna had one, but he may have had one of each, too."  It was so silly.  They even saved the baskets to return to me, for six weeks!  I said, "I don't want those.  Just give them away."  They must not get enough attention in that hospital.
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: MissMolly on June 12, 2009, 02:37:21 pm
OK, so now if I make muffins for the surgical team they'll all know I was copying you!!!

Hmmm, maybe I'll order some Omaha Steaks....  Edible Arrangements?  Hmmmmmmmm
Title: Re: Muffins? Stress management . . .
Post by: Adrienne on June 12, 2009, 07:54:53 pm
Copy away!!  Not sure where Nancy lives, but I'm waaaaay up in Canada.  My little secret.....

 ;D

Adrienne