A few months ago I posted that my recent cholesterol test had come out very high - not I'll-drop-dead-in-a-month-high, but too high nonetheless - total cholesterol 7.72, or 298 for you 'Mericans. This, BTW, is after a year of Atkins, with NO high-carb 'cheating.'

My doctor wanted to follow up with the breakdown test - LDL, HDL, triglycerides, so I had that done just before Xmas.

In the meantime, I made a few changes to my diet. I cut way back on red meat, egg yolks, and dairy fat, and replaced those saturated fats with olive and flax oils, fatty fish, and non-hydrogenated margarine. I also upped my antioxidants and started taking a couple of no-flush niacin caps per day.

I've been waiting and waiting to get the results of the second test, so today I phoned my doctor's office. They hadn't called back because the tests were normal!

I have a family history of high cholesterol and diabetes. My dad had high cholesterol, My mom has high cholesterol and diabetes, my sister has diabetes, and my brother (who's younger than me) has high cholesterol. So if anyone's in line for 'Syndrome X,' it's me.

I'm so pleased. My big fear is having to be on medication and, heaven forbid, have surgery after surgery for the rest of my life. I feel like I've been reprieved.

Now it's up to me to continue to monitor my eating and exercise. And I know I can do it!

Rachel