I'm grateful that I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

id="recipetitle"class="fn">I'm grateful that I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

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When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the summer of 2009, I was suffering from anemia, constipation, and internal bleeding.  I thought that I might have cancer.  When the physician's assistant told me that it was Celiac Disease, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.  The doctor referred me to the dietitians of St. Elizabeth Hospital.  I already knew them, of course, since my mother started her job as a dietitian at St. E when she was pregnant with me.

Over the last four years, I've struggled and succeeded.  This has totally changed many aspects of my life, and I think about it every day.  But, I think it has lead me down a better path.  It has made me stronger and more aware than before.

A few reasons why I am grateful to be a Celiac...

It made me think about what I eat and drink.
I've never been terribly self-aware.  Food for me in college consisted of nearly all prepackaged convenience foods, lots of soda, lots of cheese, and few vegetables.  After being diagnosed, I turned to prepackaged GF convenience foods, and ate lots of apple with peanut butter.  I gained 60 pounds in a few years.  My husband and I finally had enough (I was pushing 200 lbs and only 5'4"), and we began exercising and cooking from scratch.  Learning to cook gluten-free meals has been so wonderful.  I think that if there were a cure for celiac disease tomorrow, I'd still follow a gluten-free diet.  I've figured out what and how I like to cook, and I'm very proud.  I've gone from eating tons of microwave ramen noodles to making up my own recipes, and I'm not looking back.

It's forced me to face my fears.
I do not like speaking up in public around people I don't know, unless I'm presenting something (I'm a teacher after all, I like to be prepared).  Whenever I eat outside of my house, I have to stand up for myself, ask for appropriate food, or abstain from eating.  This is an ongoing challenge.  I have social anxiety, and I really suffer and fret about this the most.  However, I think I'm getting better.  I like being an advocate when people ask me about Celiac disease or gluten when we're away from food.  But, whenever I have to turn down food at gatherings or meetings and explain the entire GF saga (no, I can't eat white bread, either), I tend to fatigue quickly and clam up.  This year, I want to do better, because I know I will be explaining this for the rest of my life.  Being gluten-free challenges me to deal with my social fears, and it's helping me grow.

I can better empathize with people with other food related diseases and allergies.
I grew up hearing about people with food intolerances and issues, but I always listened with curiosity more than concern. ("Wow, some people can't eat cheese? That sucks.)  I know Celiac Disease is its own beast, but I feel a sense of community when I talk to people who have food allergies, lactose intolerance, diabetes, etc.  Food is integral to our lives in ways we don't notice.  Until your food makes you sick, you probably don't think twice about picking up a piece of homemade whatever from the break-room or reading the label on that gas station snack.  I now know how nice it is to find something you CAN eat at a party (that you didn't make yourself).  I want to continue to reach out to other people with similar issues.  A sense of community and support makes living with food intolerances much easier.

Most people express sympathy or pity when they find out what I can't eat.  But, I don't feel sorry for myself (too often).  I'm glad to live a happy, healthy, gluten-free life.