Two Month Arrival

Except for the accidental gluten I found in a corn tortilla casserole at the hospital last month, I have been on my gluten free diet for about two months.  I am feeling like a new woman as my energy begins to return.  Due to the length of time between getting the disease and the official diagnoses, my body had gained a few other problems.  Due to lack of absorption of necessary nutrients, by body tried to overcompensate by messing around with my adrenal glands.  I am currently working with my Endocrinologist to get that problem straightened out.  She thinks once that is done that my body will reboot and the weight loss won't be back breaking work.  For now, I will just try to glory in the blessing of energy, and finally having my body capable of absorbing more nutrients and my thyroid medication ... which also helps with energy.

I feel so blessed to enjoy food, life, and the world around me again.  I remember everything feeling very monochrome and dulled while I was sick.  Everyday was a struggle, and my mood was rarely good.  I still have a way to go before my attitude is back to my chipper self, but I am getting there, and lately there have been more good days, and that has me excited.

My sister, who is currently prego, was diagnosed after deciding to get a blood test since our other sister and me both had it.  I think the diagnoses was harder on her than it was on me.   I really was just so relieved to know what was wrong with me.  I know she is too, but when you have four kids with one more on the way, it is really hard to make the necessary adjustments to live gluten-free.  With her news this means that all three girls in my family have the disease.  I guess I should encourage my brothers to find out as well.  

If my family is any indicator, then the heredity factor is not emphasized enough.  My father was diagnosed late in his life, but looking at our family history it is pretty apparent that my great grandfather actually died of the disease, before it was clear what it was.  However, his symptoms were those of someone with extremely severe and advanced celiac disease, and my father's was much the same.  The only reason my dad survived was modern medicine.  He almost didn't make it and was starving before they figured it out.

The world is a different place than it was only 15 years ago when my dad was diagnosed.  He has been gone for a little over 10 years, and I can't help but think that he would should be amazed by the options we have that he didn't.  With that said, dad was still right, "Rice flour makes a better angel food cake.  There are always potatoes, so it is all good.  Ice cream, it isn't all bad."  Yep, Dad you were right.  

The other delightful thing I have noticed is how much better food tastes to me, and how much more I enjoy vegetables and fruits now.  I am enjoying the adventure, even if the reason for the journey is not one I would have chosen for myself.  This next week it is back to yoga and meditation to relax and gear up for the next leg of this journey.