Going off the D.P. end

Today marks a leap off of the ship for me.  Today I say goodbye to one thing that has added nothing but joy and content and flavor to my life.  23 flavors to be exact.  Dr. Pepper, our love affair had to come to an end sometime.   You have been nothing but good to me, you have always been there for the quick pick me up.  We have shared good times together, you have always been my fountain drink of choice. My mouth tingles everytime I watch your sweet nectar envelop the ice.  It seems that our relationship was meant to be, 10-2-4 was a sign that we had finally found the right home. Your sweet aroma and the way that you tickle my nose when I drink without a straw will forever bring happiness to my heart, but alas, it's not me, it's you!

Two years ago, I took a hiatus from the glorious nectar only to find out that in two weeks, with no other dietary or exercise changes, I lost 8 pounds.  I have since gained back every one of those pounds (and the other 6 I lost that month as well, a special shout out to my good friend Rus for the grill that I now own from that weight loss adventure!) I daily carry with me an 8 pound burden of high fructose corn syrup.  And while this means that I am warmer in the winter months it certainly isn't helping me get up in the morning.  During that month of fasting, I slept less and felt more rested.  I can only figure that the absence of sugar and caffeine meant that my body was actually able to get a full night's sleep.
Yet this sweet juice that comes flowing from heaven, came calling my name again.  I slowly worked my way back in only to find that two years later, I am actually avoiding drinking water in favor of waiting until I can get a DP fix, sometimes that means late afternoon.  Or to solve that dilemma,after dropping my daughter off at school at 8am, I would simply take a small detour to have a DP before heading to work, drinking one at McD's and refilling my large Styrofoam cup for the road.  At some point, on one of these jaunts, I figured out that I had a problem.
Now, I will admit that as far as addictions go, this one is fairly benign.  I am not really addicted to the caffeine - last time, when I gave it up, I do not remember having withdrawals or needing to find another source of the drug.  Caffeine has little or no effect on my system. I remember taking a No-Doze in college only to fall asleep sitting at my desk.  The problem is that I crave the flavor!  When I want a drink, I want it, no need it, to taste like Dr. P.  My mouth waters for those 23 flavors of goodness and those little bubbles trickling down my throat.  No one should want something this bad.
And then this came out, and I knew something was going to have to give.  http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/news/20100208/pancreatic-cancer-linked-sodas While this of course does not directly link a cause and effect, it was just another reason in the long line of reasons to alleviate the problem by eliminating the risk.  Therefore, as of midnight on January 7, 2013, I am Dr. Pepper free!  Of course there is no Dr. Pepper patch, is there? I have no recourse, no remedy but to quit cold turkey.  Goodbye D.P., you were my first true love, I will remember you fondly, and you will always be in my pancreas.  I am not saying I will not backslide and come running back to your 23 flavor embrace, only that I will strive to root you out, one glass of water at a time!