I got a call yesterday from the pediatric GI Doctor...Coleman's blood tests were back and he has Celiac Disease. I am in SHOCK!
I really thought that we had it figured out as stress related IBS--but I guess I was wrong.
Poor boy was so upset about the diet changes (lots of tears about no Cheez Its and pizza) and the scope that has to be done at our local Children's hospital in a few days. The Dr wanted to to do it asap to see how far the disease had progressed and asses the damage.
This kind of breaks my heart---it will be such a HUGE life change for my little boy and all of us! We really like bread and I LOVE making baked goods for my family but we have all agreed that we are in this together! I am going to have to learn to cook a whole new way. It is hard to wrap my head around this, I really don't even know where to start. It is overwhelming...but on the other hand, I am so thankful to know the cause of his pain and discomfort. What a blessing to have this knowledge so we can take better care of him and he can feel good again. Even though this feels really hard, I am trying to focus myself and him on the fact that it could be worse. Changing our diet is not a big deal in the scheme of things, right?! What a blessing that this disease can be controlled with diet.
TJ had an idea to go to the store and find Coleman GLUTEN FREE food he could get excited about to cheer him up:) It worked! He was pretty happy with the goodies we found! I did have to warn him that stuff like Fruity Pebbles and Gushers are a special treat and will not be staples in this new diet--ha ha!:) . And my sweet hubby called around and found a local pizza place that makes Gluten Free pizza--Thank you Lupi's--phew!
If anyone has experience with Celiac Disease or Gluten Free diet, I would be so grateful for any ideas or recommendations that you could give us. We are so clueless at this point, any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you:)
Posts
16 comments:
Tacos! All the way! you don't have to do anything "special" - they feel very normal!
Good Luck! Don't forget - Right now is the hardest it will ever be -- once you get the hang of it it will be just fine!
Deb
Both the GAPS diet and the Body Ecology diet can heal Celiac disease. GAPS is a lot of work, but I've seen two of our friends families do it completely with amazing results.
Oh, Mel, what a ride this will be! I admire you and your attitude. I've often thought we might be headed the gluten-free route, too, with W's tummy issues. I have several gluten free blogs I follow that might be helpful (and I know there are a ton more out there):
irresistiblyglutenfree.com
glutenfreeonashoestring.com (Nicole who writes this blog is coming out with a gluten-free bread cookbook...sounds helpful!)
Good luck, friend! Gluten-free and Celiac's is becoming so much more prevalent, it won't surprise me if we are all gluten free sometime in the future! Thankfully we live in a time when companies are coming out with gluten free products and there are a lot of recipes/resources online.
5 years ago my granddaughter was diagnosed with Celiac disease. She's now 10 and they have it figured out. There are so many more things that are gluten free now. My daughter by a lot of bulk items online (cereal, bars, etc). They are lucky that there is a gluten free store right in their town which is great. Lots of restaurants now have gluten free menus-just need to ask. My granddaughter now reads labels and isn't afraid to speak up if she has any questions about food. she knows she can only have the "blue label" Doritos not other ones, etc.
I've actually adapted your BYU mint brownie recipe to GF (I used a GF brownie mix). After the initial shock wears off, you'll see life will go on. The complete change in my granddaughter was well worth it...she started growing, gaining weight, color returned to her cheeks and she just started feeling good.
Go to the Celiac Disease Assoc. website, they are a wealth of information and help. Celiac Disease can't be healed or cured, but it can be under control. Good Luck!
Many, many people with Celiac Disease can eat wheat breads, pancakes, pizza, waffles, crepes, rolls made with natural yeast. Natural yeast requires a longer rise time for the bread dough which allows the yeast time to process and break down the gluten before you eat it. Melissa Richardson aka The Bread Geek has co-written a great book called The Art of Baking with Natural Yeast. It's a great book. She also has a website and facebook page. Lots of good information. Also, the recipes are really delicious! I know my health has improved greatly since I switched to natural yeast.
Melanie,
I don't know anything about a gluten free diet, but what I do know is that if anyone can do this you can! You are amazing! Good luck. I am thinking of you.
My husband Rick has celiac...it's really no big deal. It feels huge at first, but check out the health food section at your grocery store, I bet it's loaded with all kinds of fun stuff. You'll get the hang of it and I love that you are all on board to support him.
Hi Melanie! My sister and her family have been gluten free for a few years! There are tons of resources online - and that will be super helpful! We hosted Christmas last year - and I didn't know what to serve - Baked Potato Bar!! Gluten Free and the kids LOVED it! Also - Fritos are gluten free!! Almond flour can be used in a lot of baking. In the grand scheme - this is an ADJUSTMENT not a problem right? You guys are doing it together and I love that!! Your family rocks!!
Take good care - Susan
Tasha L. -- Sorry, there is no way to 'cure' coeliac disease. It's an auto immune disorder that you are born with, not an allergy that you can grow out of or gradually re-introduce over a period or time. The only thing you can do is 'manage' coeliac disease by removing gluten from your diet. Maybe someday pharma will find a cure to make the body stop attacking the lining of the gut when gluten is present, but until then it's removing gluten entirely.
Melanie, I've sent you a Facebook message of stuff you can get, so don't be too overwhelmed. There are LOTS of choices these days :-)
Hi, my son was recently diagnosed with an allergy to wheat and gluten. (No celiac diagnosis but he still needs to cut these things from his diet.) I was searching online and came across your blog. You mentioned that your son was upset about Cheezits. Have you ever tried Pirate's Booty? It is more like Cheetos than crackers but they might serve as a substitute for him.
Cindi
My friend's son was diagnosed at 10 and is now 13. I know she shops at Whole Foods for a lot of things. There are so many more labels out there now. I've seen lots of King Arthur Flour products on their website and catalogue that are gluten free and I heard they are delicious! That might be a fun treat until you learn more from scratch gluten free baking. Also, I know my friend gets lots of apps on her phone that help her when she is at the grocery store. Good luck!!!
Teresa
Ok Mel I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed every time I think about Coleman and his diagnosis but after reading these sweet and helpful comments I am really inspired! Everyone sounds so uplifting and positive. It sounds like it will be a big adjustment at first but soon things will die down and you will have a new normal...probably not that much different than the normal now. Tell Coleman we will start trying gluten free recipes too! :) I love you sis...
I would love to share any recipes with you. I'm gluten free too. I have tried the english muffins from New Grains bakery. they are delicious. they taste like what i remember wheat bread tasting like.there are so many ways to use them. perfect for a hamberger bun too. the bakery was started in a home in Provo Ut. They are starting to sell throughout the country. You can also buy it off of their website and be shipped to you. just remember that it does get easier. ALWAYS look at the ingredients. even if you buy the product all the time. i try to eat very little processed food. I stick to meat, vegetables, fruit. some dairy. it is a lot easier that way. plus more nutrious as well. good luck. remember we are all here for you and your family. thanks for being so open about your trials.
A friend of my has Celiac Disease and can eat sourdough bread. Here's an article about it: http://www.celiac.com/articles/23145/1/Is-Sourdough-the-Future-of-Gluten-free-Bread/Page1.html
good luck to you!
Melanie, I am Amy Gibsons sister-in-law, Alicia and Tony's brother, Colby is my husband and has had celiac since he was 2. Long before anyone really knew about it and how to cook gluten free. I have been cooking gluten free my entire married life, almost 20 yrs. Colby and one of my daughters are both celiac. Cooking 100% gluten free for a family of 7 is very expensive. There are a lot of GF products available but some taste better than others. We have a delicious bread recipe that we make homemade that they both love. I compiled a cookbook a few years back that I would be glad to email you. I would also be happy to share any tips and tricks that I have with you. Let me know!
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCh for your great ideas, encouragment and tips!! and ALICIA--I would absolutely LOVE to get your recipes, tips ans tricks! What a huge blesing that woud be!! THank you!
Post a Comment