:::June 27, 2010:::
I just wanted to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for every comment you left on this posting for the links you have offered me, for the emails you have sent, for your encouragement! I knew if I blogged about my new diet, I would have an ocean of resources at my fingertips — because you’re such a lovely lot and you like to share your knowledge and you have SO DARN much knowledge…I was a bit nervous to share these life details with you all…just because…but there are so many of you out there who relate with what my body is going through I really believed you would be a tremendous help to me. And you have been. And you are.
Thank you so much, everyone! I will keep you posted on how gluten free living is treating my body. I will say that I started feeling better yesterday evening, and am feeling quite a lot more well this morning not just because I was at the Wildflower Festival last night, but because my system is getting cleaner and cleaner. Today, once I’m back from riding and fishing I might even try baking something!
I’m feeling so hopeful and so positive about the entire situation, thank you for helping to make the transition easier for me and please know that I value your advice and input so HUGELY!!! Don’t ever stop writing. Please.
LOVE LOVE,
Jillian
I’m doing a science experiment.
Today I changed my diet.
I no longer consume gluten anything.
I went to the doctor last week and chit chatted about my crazy body and skin and intestines and I endured the removal of blood from my arm after being pricked by a needle four times (something something rolling veins grumble grumble) and then I waited, on the edge of my seat, for an entire week to find out that my thyroid is functioning like a champ.
Alright.
So then why am I so tired, why does it feel like there’s a circus in my stomach and intestines, why do I have this rash on my neck and why do I have to lay down in the afternoon every day for a couple of hours because my digestive process is such a literal pain and even if I wanted to stand around looking cool I can’t because I feel sort of dizzy and laying down seems like a safe thing to do?
Huh?
I have discussed, long distance, celiac disease with a dear friend of mine in Saskatoon AND I had the queen of gluten free living (and coyotes) in my home this week (You didn’t know that, did you? She’s a complete delight. But I’ll tell you all about it another day.)and she told me the story of her experience with celiac disease and at this point, I’m not willing to go through the doctoring process again this week so I have taken my diet into my own hands. I figure if gluten is the culprit, my strange bodily symptoms should evaporate over the next few weeks of gluten-freeness. It is annoying though. You poor anti-glutenites out there, gluten is like God — it’s in everything! I stocked the fridge with a few grocery bags worth of strange things today and feel dreadfully saddened by all of the jingly and jangly condiments that rattle about in my fridge when I open the door…you know the sort, the gels and goops and sauces we North Americans like to pair with everything; almost ALL of it contains wheat in one way or another so it’s all officially off limits. Oh. I forgot to check the mustard label. Oh please God let mustard be gluten free.
I’m mostly heart broken about the fact that I can no longer consume my favorite Thai peanut satay sauce. I have a habit of putting it on everything.
Tonight I made Thai-ish style summer rolls for dinner. Rice wraps, rice noodles, carrots, mint, arugula lettuce, bean sprouts and a gluten free plum dipping sauce that looked pretty in a pink side dish. My insides feel great so far. I know this meal is slim on the protein side of things but I’ve been having eggs for breakfast and I snaggled a lovely set of organic chicken sausages (gluten free)for lunches over the next few days.
My new diet is a gamble but I reckon that since I’m the only one who really knows what my body feels like when it’s unwell, I’m the only person who can take how I’m feeling really seriously, so I am. Half of me hopes this is all a gluten intolerance issue, the other half, the half that is the granddaughter and great granddaughter of Saskatchewan wheat farmers, wants to kick a rock and cry.
This is all to say, if you’d like to share a gluten free meal or two with me, over the next couple of weeks, please feel free! I have a handful of lovely individuals at the ready to help me out but if you’re an in the closet non-glutenizer, your suggestions are welcome here!
Alright. I’m off to research a good bread recipe.
Wish me luck!
xx
PLUME