Six years ago I was diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when you ingest gluten. Even the tiniest amount of gluten, a mere crumb, can make me sick for weeks. Not surprisingly, since my diagnosis, I haven’t been invited to many dinner parties. It’s just too hard to figure out how to safely feed someone like me. But here’s the thing I…
Celiac disease looks like something different for everyone. For many, a run-in with gluten ends with an uncomfortable trip to the bathroom. For others, fatigue follows them around for days, making it hard to work. The thing is, there are over 300 symptoms of celiac disease, and it hits us all differently. For me, gluten goes straight for my brain. I’m having a hard time typing this right now as…
Today was Monday, and I was actually looking forward to my first workout of the week. But it turns out that today was a rest day. I didn’t know it would be, but my body did, and I’m learning to listen to it. You see, I’m finally on a decent health streak. I’ve been exercising almost every day since August. I haven’t felt this good in a long time. But…
The last time you filled a prescription at the pharmacy, you probably filled your prescription, picked up your medication, received instructions from the pharmacist, and put the pill in your mouth all in the same day. That’s what I used to do too. Then came celiac disease. Now from the time my doctor prescribes my medication to the time I can actually take the medication is a minimum of three…
I have written about chronic pain before. It can be exhausting and feel never-ending, and there are times when all I can do is lay down and cry. But this week the pain has been more of a nuisance than an all out assault. More of a ball and chain than a bulldozer. And I’m learning a few things about how to find peace in the midst of pain. How…
I have had a rough few days health-wise. Autoimmune issues like to show up and kick my butt sometimes. And while my first instinct is to wallow and wail, I try hard not to get stuck in that pit for very long. I may not have control over the pain, but I do have control over my attitude. So today I lift my eyes and give thanks for the beauty…
Because it’s Celiac Awareness Month, and because I just ate the last 5 meals at their house, I thought I would share this old post written by my parents. To say I have supportive parents would be an understatement. The older I get, the more thanks I give for the love, loyalty, and encouragement they show me every day. I asked them to write a guest post about how they…