My Celiac Story

Celiac Disease.

Whether you've heard of it or not, I guarantee you've heard all about the Gluten-Free diet/Gluten-Free living/The Gluten-Free Fad. But what's the scoop?

First, to set the record straight:

1. Celiac Disease is NOT the same thing as a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance. source

Celiac Disease is a Genetic disease. It's most commonly passed from mothers to sons and is far more serious than an allergy or intolerance. Celiac Disease causes the bodies immune system to attack healthy tissue. 

2. Going Gluten-Free is NOT a healthy option for those with no medical reason. source

Going gluten-free is great for people with Celiac Disease because it's the only real way to "treat" the disease. It's also recommended for people with wheat allergies and gluten intolerance. But the gluten-free fad dieting is actually quite dangerous! Going gluten-free robs the body of valuable vitamins ad nutrients. 

So...

How do you know if you have Celiac Disease? How do you know if you should get checked?

This is MY story. And bare with the gritty details, hopefully I can help someone know something that I wish I would've known. :)

My junior year of High School I started having some issues, health-wise, that raised some red flags. I was suffering some internal bleeding, huge canker sores in my mouth and on my tongue, terrible abdominal pain, and general discomfort. There were lots of things WE thought it could be: anemia, appendicitis, or ulcers. We went to my general practitioner, and he wasn't able to tell us anything. He recommended we go to a Gastrointestinal Physician. We got some recommendations from him and pressed on from there. I will say that day was very discouraging. I don't know if you've ever been turned away from a doctor, but it's not a fun feeling. I appreciated his referring us elsewhere, but it felt like I hadn't made any progress. After calling that clinic we were told there was no room for several months! I was still going home ill and in the dark.

Luckily, having not driven very far home yet, we got a phone call from the GI clinic saying I there was a cancellation, and I could get in that same week!! It was a huge blessing!

My GI specialist was super friendly. **sidenote--am I the only one who feels a little uneasy thinking about what would provoke someone to work in a profession like...this? I know, "someone's gotta do it" and "to each their own." Just a thought** He was very positive until he started saying things like colitis, colon cancer, Crohn's Disease, and many other terrifying conditions that mine could be. I started to feel a little panicky. My mom and I exchanged looks (of course she was keeping her cool) and I just thought, "This would happen to me. Some simple pain and discomfort ends up being something life-threatening." Please don't judge my ignorance, I'm just being 100% honest with all I was thinking. A blood work-up was ordered immediately. 

The results came back a day or two later, and I found out that the levels/white blood count/whatever-the-heck-they-were-looking-at came back and my Doctor was 99.9% sure it was Celiac Disease (which was totally a relief to me, comparatively), but he still seemed a bit questionable. My mom and I asked what his thoughts were, to which he replied, "I am always very hesitant to advise someone to cut gluten out of their diet, completely and indefinitely. It's not an easy decision and doesn't come without it's draw-backs." So he suggested that we let him do an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Obviously, that stressed me out too (can you tell I don't like the doctor's office or hospitals??), but I knew it was the only way to be 100% certain PLUS it would allow him to assess the damage and see what I needed to do to heal.

Several doctor's visits, blood work, and two procedures later...it was determined. I had Celiac Disease and probably had had it my entire life. Consider:

--The doc asked me what my favorite foods were. Promptly I responded, "Watermelon, pineapple, apples, oranges, carrots, spinach, and chocolate." To which he responded, "Notice, none of those foods contain Gluten." I was shocked! My body had naturally responded better to Gluten-Free foods even though I didn't decide that was how it is. He predicted that they were my favorite because they didn't make me feel sick afterward.

--A few weeks after this all went down, I came across some journals I kept in my elementary school classes (raise your hand if your teachers made you keep journals too). As I flipped through the pages, I started noticing that at least every other entry contained me referencing how I didn't feel good or how I had a tummy ache. I'm sure my mom and my teachers felt that I was just complaining a lot, but it was a tell-tale sign that I had Celiac.

--My food never felt like it "settled." Before I found out I had Celiac, I felt sick after every meal. Throughout my life (schooling, church activities, etc) I have always been sort of a perfectionist, so I thought I always just carried my stress in my stomach (?). 

I mean, I can't believe I missed this all my life!!

Obviously there's much more to this story: the first few weeks of adapting, trial and error in eating, trying to treat symptoms when I accidentally get Gluten, what are my symptoms when I get it, etc. Rest assured, I will post more as I go along, but I didn't want to Gluten-Free Vomit all over you in one post (though I may already have succeeded in that). Anywho, I welcome questions and comments. Hit me up!! I'd love to answer some of your questions about living Gluten-Free and living with Celiac as I go through the rest of these posts. I'll share some pet peeves, some tips and tricks, and some Life-According-To-Natalie tips, so stay tuned!

*Disclaimer: If you feel like some of these symptoms fit something you're experiencing, don't self-diagnose. You could be experiencing many other illnesses or allergies. It is certainly in your best interest to check with your Doctor specifically.*

I Wear a Poppy

Well, it's technically the day AFTER Veteran's Day, and I debated whether or not I wanted to publish this post or delete it, wondering if it was too soap-boxy. But, I am patriotic, I am proud to be an American, and I am not ashamed to let my voice be heard. 

The summer between my Junior and Senior year of high school I attended what's called Girls' State. It's almost a type of camp which lasts one week and teaches all about government. While there, I was able to experience (along with approximately 300 other girls from across the state) politics and government first hand. We were divided up into cities and counties. I had the privilege of being a county and state delegate, member of the credentials committee, a member of the sifting committee, a senator, and the senate chaplain.

While attending Girls' State I felt feelings of pride and patriotism that I had never before felt. On the second to last night we had a banquet in celebration of all of the Veterans who so willingly serve us. We honored decorated veterans from across the state, had a guest speaker, and learned about the Poppy. Each of us wore a boutineer, crafted by veterans, as a sign of respect and remembrance. At each place setting, beneath the boutineer, was this poem:

In Flander's Field

by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from falling hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

 It was, in those brief moments of reading those three little stanzas, that I felt feelings like those I had never felt toward this country and its government. The closest thing I can relate it to is a deep spirituality, almost. It was unlike anything I'd ever felt before. As I read the poem, I teared up. Picking up my boutineer, I stared at it for a moment, reflecting on my feelings, analyzing them, then scrambling, I hurried to fasten it firmly over my heart.

I woke up on Veteran's Day this year and realized that I did not have that boutineer, I left it at home when I came to college. I felt really bad, like I couldn't adequately honor those who served. When I emerged, my roommate had little red poppy pins for those in the apartment who wanted them. I was so grateful, and we ended up launching into a big conversation about how much we love this country! One of our other roommates looked a little befuddled and asked how we could love it so much when things are going bad in the government. Well, here's how.

First, I love my country for the people who live in it. The average american, the every day citizen, the general population. I look around and I see diversity. I see interesting, exciting new people everyday that make up this grand place. I don't love my country for its leaders, its political figures, its poster children, because they aren't what truly make up this land. The United States of America is full of people who are gritty, who are stubborn, hard headed, and AWESOME! That's why we thrive. That's why we have survived as a country all these years. Imagine what would happen if Americans lost their spunk...

Second, I support the leaders of our country. I may not always agree (in fact, I usually don't) with everything they have to say. I don't always agree with the laws and standards that are implemented. However, I also don't envy the job of an official who will NEVER please everyone. I know that our laws are put in place to protect us and our freedoms.I know that even if something isn't going our way, we have a right to vote against it AND when all else fails, we only have to endure it for 4 years before things can change up again anyway.  

Third, I know we are the land of the free. Look at any other country in the world. Where else can the average citizen decide 100% their own destiny?? Look at Oprah. She came from impoverished circumstances, endured abuse, persecution, and general hardship. After working hard and searching for opportunities  she has become arguably one of the most inspirational AND successful women of all time. Need another example? Jim Carrey dropped out of high school to try to salvage his families financial situation after his father was laid off. He took on two jobs, but the family still lost their home and ended up living in a van. Now, he is a multimillionaire. And there are so many more examples of regular people who rise to success and strive for greatness. It is possible because we are free. 

Fourth, our country defends itself. I'm not sure where I stand politically. I'm not sure what party I will register for when I register to vote, I don't know the ins and outs of how I feel about every military issue, but I know that our country demands respect and defends its integrity. When I was younger (and maybe even still today) I used to tease my younger siblings to no end. It was like a hobby! But oddly enough, if anyone else EVER tried to tease them, it was go time. That was not acceptable. Have you ever noticed that that is pretty much exactly how our nation is today? We may not have it all together within the "home," but if anyone EVER tries to mess with us, it is go time. I am so glad that's the way it is. Call me crazy, but I feel much better knowing I live in a country where people aren't just rolling over and playing dead. I am forever indebted to the people who go out every day and fight for the rights we are given.

I mean, maybe that's an overly-simplified outlook, but I truly believe it's that simple! The United States of America is, frankly, the home of the free and the land of the brave. We are bound together by the same stubborn, opinionated, egotistical personalities that often pull us apart. If it wasn't so, we would not be the land we are today. I know that many people my age complain about the government more than count it as a blessing, but I think it's more because we want to be contrary to what we're told, because I think that if everyone just took a moment to consider what we're blessed with, there would be a better reaction than just disdain and complaints. 

Regarding the Veterans and my poppy, I just want to say that I salute you. I salute each and every individual that has, does, and will serve our country. I thank you from the deepest reaches of my heart. I wear my poppy proudly in remembrance of those who so willingly sacrifice everything, every day, so that I may continue to love this land. I can't help but beam when I hear patriotic songs. I can't help but get the chills when I see a soldier in uniform. Walking on campus, I sometimes hear the ROTC shouting their cadences, barking orders, and pushing each other to go that extra mile and I have to just stop and marvel at the gratitude and pride that fills my soul. We are blessed beyond measure. I don't think the naysaying could ever reach a point where it would sway me of my immense gratitude for being blessed to live here, it's just that wonderful. No matter how uncertain, no matter how far out, not matter how intense it gets up on Capitol Hill, I will always love this country and the every day Americans that make it what it is. My cup runneth over.

I love our Veterans and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!