Bumps along the road...

For almost the last three months, I have been very sick. I have bounced from doctor to doctor, test to test, and Monday, I got an answer. I was diagnosed with celiac disease and lymphocytic colitis (as a result of the celiac going untreated).

For those of you that don't know, celiac disease, as defined by the Mayo Clinic is:
a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, an immune reaction occurs in your small intestine, causing damage to the surface of your small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients.
Eventually, the decreased absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) that occurs with celiac disease can cause vitamin deficiencies that deprive your brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of vital nourishment. This can lead to other illnesses and stunted growth in children.
No treatment can cure celiac disease.

That last sentence scared the crap out of me...NO TREATMENT CAN CURE CELIAC DISEASE.

BUT...I can effectively manage it by changing to a gluten free diet. If you know me, you know that I am a cake, cookie, junk food addict...hearing this was almost like a death sentence...until I thought about it. And what I thought was this:
1. No more junky foods - BONUS!
2. No more being sick every time I eat - BONUS!
3. My overall health will be amazing - BONUS!
4. I get to go on a "scavenger hunt" at the grocery store - BONUS!
5. I get to change myself and my way of eating and depending on foods PERMANENTLY - DOUBLE BONUS!

So far, it has been a challenge to my taste buds to eat nothing with gluten and it has been a challenge to my brain to figure out exactly what I can and can't have. It will get easier, I know...but this week has been overwhelming to say the least.

That all being said, I truly have an amazing family and some rockin' friends. After the diagnosis, my hubby went to the grocery store and bought enough gluten free foods to get me through the week. He even got the store manager to get him the list of gluten free products in the store so I could have choices. Then, my sister in law brought me some wonderful KIND bars that are both gluten free and delicious...To top those two off, my amazing friend, Travis, sent me a list of websites that he had found, along with some information on different grocery stores. I am truly blessed!

I end with this thought...when my going gets tough, I really have some pretty awesome people in my life that are willing to go the extra mile and help me out. For that, I am truly grateful.

Special thanks to these people: Maria, Bobby, Mom, Travis, Donna, Kelly, Billie, and Missy...you guys made my week SO much easier and I love you!

I'll post again in a few days and let you know how it's going. If you or someone you know has celiac disease, give them this blog so we can connect. Thanks!