Decaffeinated
The plastic cup is covered with condensation. I absentmindedly wipe my hands together after placing the cup down on a napkin on my desk.
The see-through container shimmers as the ice cold, caramel colored coffee chills inside. Ice cubes slowly melt allowing the cream, sugar and coffee blend together in a cacophony of flavor.
It has been over one month since I had a cup of coffee.
A recent stomach irritation caused me no end of trouble. Finally, after two weeks of intermittent nausea I went to the doctor. Through a process of elimination I had narrowed down the likely source of my problem - caffeine. After a lengthy question and answer period (and some on the spot blood work) my doctor concurred with my self-diagnosis. Her prescription - a daily dose of Prilosec and no caffeine for two weeks. This meant I could still have chocolate but I was to have no coffee, tea or dark sodas. "No problem," I thought, eager to be rid of my stomach ailment.
For the last two weeks I have been completely without caffeine.
I have concluded that I did not miss soda.
I did miss coffee and tea.
I found that I do not need caffeine in the morning to start my day. I never suffered the dreaded "caffeine headache" or any other withdrawal symptoms. However, I missed the social aspect of coffee and tea drinking. Gone was my early weekend morning walk to Starbucks with Jenna or Vic. I could still go with them for the company, but I was forced to drink chai tea or water if I did so. Chai tea is a little too sweet for me. Water is, well, water. As I sat in any coffee house for the past month, my taste buds were betrayed by my sense of smell. I do enjoy the smell of a fresh brewed pot of coffee. I like a mug of coffee or tea as I read the Sunday Boston Globe. Mostly, I enjoy my iced coffees from Brueggers every workday morning.
All gone for the past month.
Yesterday I spoke with my doctor. I have had no stomach-related issues for over two weeks. its time to reintroduce the possible offender to my diet. For now I am allowed one caffeinated drink a day and I am to report my progress to the doctor. Future medical plans depend on the success or failure of one coffee a day.
Today I am having my first Brueggers iced coffee in over a month.
My medium iced coffee is here before me. The straw is in place. The napkin beneath the cup is wet with slight perspiration. It calls to me..
posted by Andy at 7:15 AM
6 Comments:
Enjoy friend...but make sure there's a men's room somewhere in sight for at least 45 minutes after you finish. :o)
Best of luck.
But if it doesn't work out does it mean your free coffee card is up for grabs?
No matter. I don't drink coffee. So, while I can not identify with your 'suffering' I do still sympathize with it.
Great post. I'm curious to hear the ending!
So, did it call to you and then YELL or did it chill out and behave? Anxious to hear the verdict as I feel your pain. Though I must say, I couldn't handle the no caffeine aspect of your ailment. Good luck.
I'm supposed to be off caffeine too, and alcohol, and chocolate, but I cant.. I CANT! I enjoy my mornings browsing my favourite blogs with a warm cup of coffee. Orange juice or water wouldn't work.
Well done to you. Couldnt have been easy, that photo looks wonderful...
Time for a cuppa...
That is a hard one. I love my coffee in the am. It is my favorite thing for the am. I hope you can have one coffee a day like you would want to drink it.
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