Test results came back for Rachel last night. The Pediatrician called us to let us know that Rachel tested positive for Celiac Disease.
That sounds terrible and awful, but really, it's just an allergy to gluten. We are relieved that it's nothing terminal, cancerous, or some unknown disease. This is fixable and doesn't involve medications. It does, however, require a major adjustment in diet. Gluten is in just about everything except rice, corn, potato, fruit, veggies, meat, dairy and eggs.
Gluten is found in wheat, oats, rye, pasta, vinegar, soups, sauces, spices and seasonings, candy, artificial coloring and other things.
But how about non-food items? Yup, gotta stay away from that too, because whatever is on your skin is absorbed into your blood stream. So...envelopes, stickers, medications, vitamins, soap, shampoo, lotion, cosmetics and toothpaste all have gluten (or can have). For more of an exhaustive list check out: www.gfcf.com
Joel and I will most likely see a specialist sometime in the near future to ask questions and learn about this disease. But for now, I am trying to eliminate gluten where I can with my limited knowledge.
oh, goodness, renee. talk about a huge change. and you'll have to - to some extent - do it for everybody. i'll be praying for you. but like you, i'm so glad it is something you can take care of at home, that you don't have to do treatments and meds and have untold amounts of stress and worry. just lots of learning and changing. you can do it!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a lot of change! I never even thought about the non-food items!
ReplyDeleteYou were already a very creative person, but now it looks like you'll need to be even more creative!
But indeed - thankful for something treatable and able to manage through diet and care.
You'll have to let us know how much change you see in Rachel when the glutens start working out of her system.
Praying for you guys as you learn about this!
Big hugs!
If you need someone to talk to, might I suggest my dear friend Kristin. She has her kids on a gf/cf diet. Let me know if you would like to talk to her and I'll hook you up on Facebook or something. (Or look through my "Friends" - Kristin C...)
ReplyDelete~Maria
Thanks you guys! You are great!
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