It's April Fool's day and already spring time - hard to believe. When I got a call from my mom earlier today stating that she might also have Celiac Disease, I thought she was playing an April Fool's joke on me at first, but she wasn't. She's been suffering with stomach issues as of late and her weight has dropped and she's just really thin and can't ever seem to remedy that. I had suggested last month that she pay a visit to my wonderful Celiac doc, Dr. Dennis Yamamoto in Reno. She did so, and after a colonoscopy, the results revealed that she's healthy; no tumors, no ulcers, etc...but the issues she was having have persisted. This morning, Dr. Yamamoto met with her and delivered his opinion about the fact that he feels she most likely has Celiac Disease due to the inflamed lining of her stomach.
To this present day, I'm the ONLY person in our entire family, on both sides, who has this disease. Others have complained of stomach issues and abnormalities, yet they won't get properly tested. My maternal grandfather died of stomach cancer, but we always assumed it was due to his years of smoking and drinking alcohol (that generation of men were drinkers) and an unbalanced diet, perhaps. My maternal Aunt also has huge issues with her stomach and numerous other related problems, that in my mind, are directly related to having an auto-immune disease...but what do I know right, I just live with Celiac and was diagnosed after nine years of suffering! :)
If my mom does end up having Celiac Disease I think I will be filled with mixed emotions for her. On the one hand, she's lived around my disease for years now and has been a tremendous help and support to me, always by my side and willing to learn anything and everything about CD, so she definitely has a "head start." But on the other hand, I will be a little sad for her, knowing how much she loves her Guinness beer every once in a while, or a good Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista in SF, or a sweet roll. I also have the distinct feeling that she'll take this on full-force, yet try to hide the fact that she's overwhelmed and perhaps grieving a bit for her past life with gluten. I can't imagine living 63 years of life with gluten and then whammo - no more.
If the tests do confirm she has Celiac Disease, I've decided that my gift to her will be to show the support I've received during the last nine years, times 10. I want her to grieve for what's behind her, but be excited and hopeful about a "new life" that would consist, most-likely of better health, more energy, some weight gain and longevity. It's all any of us can hope and pray for in life.
And for all of you out there who have been recently diagnosed or maybe still struggling with the adaptation that must take place as you transition into a life sans gluten, know that you are NOT alone and take comfort in the fact that this is truly a great time to be diagnosed as a Celiac. That statement may sound strange or "Pollyanna" to you, but I can tell you, as someone who rarely found a "gluten-free" product on a store shelf nine years ago, your resources now are abundant and blossoming. In addition, I can tell you for a fact that the struggle is worth the effort and "cheating" will get you nowhere but sick in bed for weeks.
I will update you once my mom's diagnosis is soundly determined. It could be an interesting week for our family. If she does join "my world" you never know what can happen - maybe this blog will take on a new shape and theme...
Two Celiac minds are always more creative than just one!
Until then, keep sticking to your gluten-free diet and enjoy the benefits of eating healthy and all of the goodness that nourishing, fresh food brings to your body.
2 comments:
Hi...just found you doing a search for "celiac blogger." After years of tests, sickness, inability to gain weight - finally an answer looms on the horizon. The past two months my symptoms have gained momentum to the point of a 12 pound weight loss (and I didn't have an extra 12 pounds to lose). A capsule endoscopy found what previously a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy could not - the probability of Celiac Disease. I am having a biopsy tomorrow to confirm. The next day I will be getting an IV Iron Infusion to help with the severe iron-deficient anemia that I've dealt with for years.
Scared, but yet hopeful, is how I guess I feel. It's a big change, but as bad as I've felt lately I welcome anything that makes me feel better.
I think I've subscribed to your blog, but not sure I did it right. Thanks for taking time to help and inform the rest of the world.
Gwynn
Hi
I found it really moving to read your post about your mum's suspected coeliac diagnosis and how you're going to give her the support she's given to you since your diagnosis. Mind you - maybe it's due to the fact that I was diagnosed myself last week and am therefore feeling on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster :-)
I identify with the concept of grieving for gluten that you mention - I am grieving for croissants particularly!
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