So, why are you such a deadbeat? Well. . .

I have been going back and forth with the decision of putting “my problem” up and out into the blogging world! Then I figured most of my close friends already know about it. All of my other friends probably have some advice or help. So here we go. . .

I have been sick for quite some time. When I would go to the doctor's office I would be told that it was IBS or food poisoning. Never quite knowing why my immunity was so low or why my stomach was always in a constant state of pain, bloating, and discomfort.

So in spring of last year I decided to start having more whole wheat in my diet. After learning that eating foods with higher fiber helps promote healthy digestion and weight loss; two things that I needed help with! The pain and discomfort started getting worse. It finally got to the point where I was unable to go to school and missing church meetings. I blamed the pain on stress because I would have it even when we were on vacation. I thought that I should feel better when I was relaxing. But, no! I was literally always feeling ill!

I ended up going to a doctor that had helped other family members. After many tests (very disgusting and painful tests) they discovered that I have Celiac disease. Please refer to the website: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/digestive/celiac-disease/symptoms/symptoms?section=section_01

Since I didn’t treat this disease (didn’t know I even had it) it had killed off a lot of the lining in my stomach and a lot of the bacteria that you need to digest some foods. Due to this unfortunate situation I am now allergic to peanuts and dairy as well. Since your gut is a link to all of your other body functions it ended up messing with my thyroid, which in turn ended up messing with my hormones, which of course explains those painful miscarriages! (It reminds me of the song of the old lady who swallowed the fly. I have been humming that ever since finding this all out. Kind of a fun tune . . . wouldn’t ya say??)

Needless to say this has been an ahaa! moment. I am more than a little bummed that I have a restricted diet. The cost of this diet is double the amount of a normal diet. Also, I will be on pills for the rest of my life. I am too young to be on so many pills for the rest of my life!! I have more pills than my eighty three year old grandmother!!

Despite all of this I am so thankful to have answers to so many questions. It is nice to know that it wasn’t all in my head and that there is in fact a reason why I was never able to sustain a healthy pregnancy. It wasn't just bad luck again and again and again. . .grrrrrrrrr!!!

It will still take anywhere from two weeks to two months to be back to “normal.” Regardless, I am super excited that I am not as bloated, I will have more energy (slowly and eventually), I will not have stomach discomfort, and I will not have as many scary and disturbing nightmares! This has been like my own personal El Nino; you know, where you blame everything on it!!

I am still struggling with things that I can or cannot eat. I, unfortunately, am learning the hard way what I can or cannot eat. (So many sneaky items that have hidden ingredients) The biggest struggle is not being able to have ice cream, cupcakes, and cookies. They have some items that are made without dairy, peanuts and gluten. The missing ingredients are noticed. It’s been nice because Lacy doesn’t beg for a bite of those. That is evidence of their bad taste!! Heeheehee

Doesn't that look so good?? No more of that for me!! :(

I am almost at my wits end though. I am going to have to give in and visit a nutritionist. Thank you to all of my friends and family that have been so helpful and supportive. A quick shout out to the ones that have been especially helpful!! Thank you Val, Kara, Sarah, and especially Ryan. Ryan, I think has had to have as much, if not more, anguish than I have with this. We always liked being that couple who would share meals and dentures well into our late 80’s. Chances of that happening are less likely.

Thank you Ryan. You have been my rock and defender of the bad foods. You have had to pay the most for this and I am sorry you married a faulty product!! Thanks for loving me despite all of this!!