Big Adjustments Ahead...
It’s January 1st, 2009, and I’m feeling reflective and introspective. Though this has nothing to do with photography, I wanted to share it with those of you that have been such a big part of my life.
After months of an increasingly achy body, intensely painful joint problems and multiple doctor appointments and tests, I’ve finally been diagnosed with Celiac Disease.
To make it simpler to understand, I’ll draw a couple of quotes from the internet:
Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.
The only treatment is a lifetime of a Gluten-Free diet. A Gluten-Free diet means not eating foods that contain wheat, rye, and barley. In other words, a person with celiac disease should not eat most grain, pasta, cereal, and many processed foods.
Celiac Disease is more common among Type 1 (Juvenile) diabetics (I’ve been diabetic since I was 3), and affects 1 in 133 people, many who spend years without a diagnosis or with a mis-diagnosis. More common symptoms are gastrointestinal issues. Feel free to google it for a full list of symptoms, which vary greatly from person to person.
I’m looking at some HUGE changes in my life, and have really gone through (and am continuing) a mourning process. Though losing the ability to eat many foods is certainly not the end of the world, it will drastically change my world, and in reality, food is a large part of our lives, especially our social lives. The hardest part will be eating out or going to people’s homes, as even a slight trace of gluten will make me sick for a week. A roll on the side of my plate, even if removed, has contaminated whatever it has touched. Kissing my husband if he has crackers or a breaded food in his mouth will make me sick. Eating food that was prepared on the same table as something with gluten will affect me as well; a trace of gluten will make me just as sick as eating a whole piece of bread or an oreo. Other places gluten is often present is in vitamins, chapstick/lipstick, medicines, etc. I won’t be able to lick envelopes anymore. So many little things to learn and abide by.
I’m fairly overwhelmed by all this, but have taken some time to eat some ‘lasts’ – my last cheeseburger (with bun), last sesame chicken, last eggplant parmesan sub, last french fries other than McDonalds (potatoes are ok but most places fry them in the same oil as things I can’t have, therefore contaminating them), etc. The last food I ate that I can’t now is a dorito just before midnight last night. : ) There are substitutes for bread, pretzels, etc. that I’ll be trying, but I’ve heard that many of them taste like cardboard. Yum! : ) lol
Through this all, I’ve struggled to have a positive attitude, and have cried almost every day as I realize new ways I hadn’t thought of yet that this will affect my life. But I know that I don’t walk this path alone…God will be with me, giving me His grace and holding me up when I otherwise wouldn’t be able to carry on. He has proven time and time again that His grace is sufficient, and that He will always be with me. And He’s blessed me with an incredibly understanding, patient and sensitive husband who has been amazing through this diagnosis process and beyond. I truly am blessed, and am so thankful to have a diagnosis and be able to move forward. I look forward to feeling better, and will concentrate on that.
If you’re still with me, : ) thanks for your patience and interest. In the busyness of the holidays and with much processing needed for this diagnosis and the news that I’ll lose 8 hours of work per week in 2009 (I found out 20 minutes before I received my celiac diagnosis!), I’ve struggled to put out the mental energy that redbubble and my other favorite photo sites require. Today is a new day though. Today I begin my gluten-free diet; today I make the decision to face life with a new and positive outlook; today I will make the time to upload pictures and get re-involved! : ) Thank you all for your patience, and if you’re one who believes that God indeed answers prayers, I’d appreciate your prayers as I embark on this journey. You’re treasures to me, each one of you, and I appreciate you all greatly!
Ann
dpennyor
oh my, Ann our hearts go out to you my dear!! such a lifestyle change that will be. but with support you can get through it!!! wondered where you have been lately. come back and we all will help support you however we can. friends make a big difference and I am so glad you shared this with us!!! our prayers and best wishes go out to you my dear!!! it will be hard but you can do it!! just glad they got a diagnosis. sometimes you can go forever before someone finds a correct diagnosis!!
Ann Rodriquez replied
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your caring words and your understanding, Dennis. It’s great to know there are others ‘in this’ with me. Your support means the world to me, and I look forward to ‘getting back in the groove’ again. And hey, with Mondays off next year…oops, THIS year, lol, I’ll have some more time on my hands for photography! : ) Definitely the bright side. : ) And yes, you’re right about the diagnosis…I am SO thankful to have been properly diagnosed. I hear many stories of people being diagnosed (for YEARS!) with things like fibromyalgia, diverticulitis, lactose intolerance, and even MS before being properly diagnosed. Whew!
Emily Peak
I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and will certainly be adding you to my list! Anyone who cannot eat OREOS needs prayer! :) And a smile! I am impressed with your postive attitude and commend you for it! Just look at all the weight you will probably lose too! Hmmm….maybe I will join you on this quest!
Hugs to you and I look forward to more work from you!
Ann Rodriquez replied
Thanks so much, Emily. I appreciate the prayers…and the smile! : ) You’re right, anyone who can’t eat oreos DOES need prayer! lol : )
Mia1
Awh, you poor thing. My prayers and thoughts are with you . You can do it though. :o) think positive and keep your chin high. :o) Hugs and take one day at a time. :o) If you ever need to talk I am hear. :o) Got good ears. :o)
Ann Rodriquez replied
Thank you, Mia. : ) I’m sure you serve so many with your good ears. : ) What a treasure listening is to someone who is hurting. Thanks for the words of encouragement and support. I appreciate it!
Bryan Peterson
Ann,
Your attitude toward this bump in the road is astounding! I believe the destination of our lives is given to us by our higher power but the path we take is our choice. Your positive attitude towards this adversity that has befallen you is a lesson to all of us to make the best of what confronts us. Thank you for sharing with us your power and wonderful drive to make the best of this rocky road we travel throughout our lives. I wish you well and my thoughts and prayers will be with you. Bryan
Ann Rodriquez replied
Thank you, Bryan. I appreciate your kind and encouraging words!
Lindak
As the saying goes Ann….When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. I’m so sorry to hear of your illness but with your positive attitude….you’ll make these changes needed. I wish you all the best and do pray these changes make many improvements for you. Hug’s!!!!
Ann Rodriquez replied
Thanks for the comment, Linda. Your inspiring words are a blessing to me!
justrick
Ann life is a road way, sometimes long , sometimes short, full of sharp turns and potholes, its how we bounce that counts. went through 10 years of the unknown before my wife was told she had addisons , but she has now treatment – take steriods or die was what we were told and steriods have their own nasty effects, we just bounce along sometimes up sometimes down.power of prayer is our lifeline, hope is based on the knowledge of the better things ahead as told in the scriptures. a happy heart is a good tonic , to smile under stress takes courage. to have good friends a wonderful bonus. every new day a blessing. our thoughts and prayers are with you . regards rick
Ann Rodriquez replied
Rick, thanks so much for your comment! I appreciated hearing of your own journey. May God continue to pour out His grace and strength on both your wife and you. I agree; I always knew I had a greater appreciation of heaven because of the struggles of diabetes, and now my appreciation will continue to grow! And how our understanding of the true character of God is expanded through the hard times, eh? He is so good! I’m so thankful He’s with us through everything. Again, Rick, thank you for the comment. It’s especially encouraging to hear words of faith from another believer. : )
ericseyes
I’m so sorry to hear this Ann, you’re such an awesome person, and yes I will be praying for you because I beleive God does answer prayers and he’s also in the business of healing so I will pray for that too. I’m glad to know at least you have an understanding of what is wrong and not still continuing to wonder and go through test after test.
Like all things you’ll eventually get used to the taste of cardboard and may even branch out to some other wood products to nibble on lol! I know you know I’m just kidding.
It so amazing the little things we take for granted and then when they are gone or we have to give them up, we realize just what an impact they were on our lives and how much they meant.
Keep the faith, you will do just fine with God at the helm.
Take Care
Eric
Ann Rodriquez replied
There you are, Eric! Somehow I missed your comment. Thanks so much, I appreciate your words of encouragement and humor. : ) You’re right, it is amazing the things we take for granted. Today I so wanted a cookie at work…they looked so good! Not like the typical diet where it’s up to me if I cheat or not. I guess it’s still that way, but the stakes are much higher. Anyway, your words were very insightful and understanding, and I deeply appreciate them! You’re a true friend, Eric. See you Saturday at the Farm Show. Should be FUN!
Al Bourassa
Now you know and you can get on with your life. I know a few people with gluten problems and none of them have the severity you describe (a roll touching your plate, etc.). For your sake, I hope you adapt easily to immediately asking the right questions in restaurants, etc. and get adept at reading food labels. All the best in ‘09 to you and yours.
Ann Rodriquez replied
Thanks, Al. That’s a very insightful ‘hope’ you shared. I too hope for that! It’s quite a lot to learn!
(and yes, some people have wheat/gluten sensitivities or allergies, which is more ‘forgiving’ than celiac)
Marita McVeigh
Best wishes on your new journey. I am so glad that you got a proper diagnosis.
Ann Rodriquez replied
Thanks, Marita. I’m glad for a proper diagnosis too!
Rosemaree
Hey Ann, Sorry to hear that you have been so unwell but on the other hand at least you now have a positive diagnosis and that you can begin to live a healthy and happy future. It will be very difficult at first but we seem to adapt, although with much mental pain and anguish. I to have had to make many changes in ecent years after my injury and I still find it so difficult to understand that I cannot do many of the things that I once could…especailly my ability to teach and play sport or ride my horse. It has been three years for me and I still grieve…. Some days are very difficult but I have found that if I concentrate on the positive things in my life… the love of my family and friends, my photography and my newfound friends here on RB…
Keep your positive attitude Ann… I will keep you in my prayers…. may you find a return to good health and may that in turn allow yu to have a most fulfilled life….
Ann Rodriquez replied
Thanks for your most encouraging and inspiring comment, Rosemaree. People like you are exactly what I need in my life…people who will understand and sympathize, but be sure to point out the positives in the situation, and remind me to focus on those things. Thanks so much; it’s easy to get discouraged, and reading comments such as yours help me keep my perspective! Sorry to hear you’ve struggled as well…praying that God gives you continued grace and peace as you walk out each day!
Andy Mueller
Wow Ann, I wish you all the best for making those dietary changes that sound like will make your life more bearable. It is a HUGE change, but you will persevere, you HAVE to ! Everything will be “ok”, it always works itself out that way. Just be strong and reject those culinary treats (god this must be so hard especially around this time of the year).
Ann Rodriquez replied
Andy, thanks so much for your encouraging comment. Yes, it is really tough to decline all the tasty treats that cross my path, especially when it starts to feel that everything good is not something I can eat! But I know it will be worth it when I start to feel better (not yet but I’m only on day 6). I WILL make it! : )
MooseMan
Hi Ann, haven’t chatted with you in a while. I’m glad to hear that you plan to return RB… it means that I, and all your other friends here, can play a role in helping you to realize that you are not alone. It’s certainly a rotten condition you’ve come down with, especially when it’s in addition to the diabetes you already deal with. I hope that you are able to quickly make the required adjustments so that the new diet can start to be the “normal”, rather than being something you are forced to endure. The big wish is that you will feel TONS better when the gluten has left your body to function well again. Big cyber hug… looking forward to your photos again :)
Ann Rodriquez replied
Ted, thanks so much for your lovely comment, and for the encouragement and inspiration. I too hope and pray that this diet will be ‘normal’ quickly, though I must be patient! I am thankful for the things I CAN eat, and for my friends who are standing by me through this. Thanks for being one of them!