Right now many of you will know where I’m coming from just based on the headline. However, depending on where some of you are in your journey of grieving, recovering, embracing and/or managing celiac disease it may be hard to initially grasp the relative simplicity of its treatment – the gluten-free diet.
I know that at this very time nine years ago, I my heart wouldn’t have been all that thankful when it came to my daughter’s celiac diagnosis. But now that I look back and continue to manage her diet, I feel there are things to be thankful for.
Be thankful….
You got the diagnosis! Now you can take action. You hold the key to your better health. Get educated and take on the new challenge.
Be thankful…
It’s not something worse. If you’re going to have a disease, this one is relatively easy to manage. No continuous or massive surgeries, no dialysis or ongoing similar treatments, no physical or mental disabilities. Yes it stinks to have to prearrange meals at restaurants and not eat Wonder Bread any more, but as long as you’re managing it correctly, most celiacs should feel somewhat normal on a strict gluten-free diet. So in the big picture of all the diseases and ailments that are out there – celiac disease isn’t so bad.
Be thankful…
No prescription medications needed! There are also no significant side effects with the gluten-free diet (other than possible vitamin deficiencies that you may want to take supplements for) unlike so many prescription medicines.
Be thankful…
For gluten-free food! It is expensive and some of it tastes questionable at best. But there is more now than ever before. And if you don’t like it, work on creating your own works of art. Try tweaking your favorite recipes to make them gluten-free. (Our egg bake with a hash brown crust is to die for!)
Be thankful…
For gluten-free restaurant menus. Again, this is an area where it has really boomed. You can find more restaurants that accommodate the gluten-free diet these days. It is a blessing.
Be thankful…
For support groups and supportive family and friends. They can help you wade through the tons of information that is out there and listen to you when you’re down. If you don’t have a great personal support system, find a support group in your area.
In my daughter’s world I know she’s thankful that I help her a lot. As she gets older, she says more frequently how she hates having celiac disease. So we often find ourselves agreeing that it can be tough but she should be thankful it’s celiac and not something worse.
What are you thankful for when it comes to celiac disease? Emma would say Kinnikinnick donuts and chocolate chip muffins, my homemade bread and Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles. I am thankful for my bread machine (with a gluten-free setting). It makes life so much easier! Feel free to share below what you’re thankful for!
Tags: celiac disease, diagnosis, food, gluten-free
August 1st, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Thank you so much for posting this Amy.
I am thankful for all the gluten free resources we have available today.
I am also thankful that I have my mother who has lived gluten free for many years more years than I to share ideas and recipes with.
And last but definitely not least I am thankful for gluten free pizza.
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
When my son was finally diagnosed I was very thankful that it is only Celiac Disease. He was sick and in pain for so long that it all made sense,and I can do much to control it. I had imagined so many other worse scenarios.
We have his diet under control. He is feeling much better, but I think we glutenized him a few nights ago, accidentally!
I have a difficult situation I wonder if anyone has any wisom to offer on the subject:
My son was absent from school for most of the first marking quarter due to severe symptoms (his symptoms had been present for a few years prior) along with one illness after another (I requested homework, after a few weeks the school refused to send any more home); then we received a diagnosis; the next month while his diet was fixed he had tonsilitis, strep throat and two ear infections. Then his health was much better so he returned to school. I provided Dr’s noteS to the school and explanations. The school called social services, DCYF in our state, and next week I’m going to an adjudication hearing that may cause me to loose custody of my son.I’m accused of keeping him out of school longer than medically necessary. By the way when he returned to school he was sent home three times because he was ill and had a fever. I’ve written notes to explain that this is all somewhat normal and should calm down as his body heals and becomes better adjusted. The school just addded the “charges” to my son that he is willfully not engaging in school and will be receiving disciplinary action as a result!!
If anyone has had experiences that are similar and/or any words of wisdom I welcome the sharing!! I hope that I am able to educate the court, DCYF and the stubborn school administration while I’m unraveling this mess. Thank You for Your Help!!!