I had always been a relatively healthy girl. I danced twice a week, did my best in gym class and skied on the weekends. I loved my vegetables and ate tons of fruit. Yes, I did love my pasta, but I was never really big into junk food, I’d rather have something healthy, because in the end, the healthy stuff tends to taste better.
When, in January of 2007, I had a sore throat like everyone else, it was no big deal, until it turned into pneumonia. That was when everything changed. Even after my lungs were deemed “clear” by my doctor, I still wasn’t really improving. In short, my chest was sore, I had no energy and I crashed in no time. It took a few weeks for me to slowly improve, but eventually I was feeling better. ish… I didn’t really take note of it then, but I was having stomach aches every day. Rolaids and Tums were common, I even got into Gaviscon for awhile. Anyways, whenever one symptom would appear to end, I always got another one, almost as if like clockwork.
Something wasn’t right. That was for sure.
In June, I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem (first overactive, then underactive.) I took my medication religiously, and I did improve, but after awhile, I hit a plateau… one that wasn’t all that high.
I even started a new sport, but after about a month, I wasn’t able to go any more. I had babysat once, stayed up a bit later than I should and then bam. I was out. Overtiredness was too common. Dizzyness – way too common. Pain was normal. Bands of pain around my chest, upset stomach, trouble taking deep breaths. It was so odd.
In November, my dad took me to the hospital because I had a band around my chest that was making it hard to sleep. In Emergency at the Children’s Hospital they took me to the Acute Treatment side. I stayed at the hospital form 8 am til I was “released” at 3pm, where I was sent for blood tests and xrays. I got 15 vials of blood taken, and a few xrays.
About a week later, I went back to get an ultrasound of my organs (to make sure they were all in the right places) and the results of my blood test. My organs were fine. Most of the blood tests were normal. Except a few. Celiac. Thalassemia Minor. The gluten-related one got me in to see the GI a few weeks later. The other was expected (family trait).
At the GI, I was scheduled to get an endoscopy. I was nervous, but looking forward to an end of sickness.
January 24th. I had a month and a half to get all of my gluten foods in. I ate what I could of pasta and desserts, but peeked into the gluten free foods to prepare myself for this new wonderful world. When the day finally came, it was over before I could realize. Then, when it was all over, the doctor said that the endoscopy was inconclusive, and we would have to wait for the biopsy’s results.
January 30th, 5:00 pm. I was watching tv…and the doctor called, asking to speak to my mom. They talked for awhile, then mom came downstairs and said that I had Celiac. I was so relieved, nervous, and excited all at the same time.
I knew one thing. My life was about to change forever, but everything would be okay. Its JUST food, not like a million pills or anything, just food.
Now, eleven weeks later, I am good, not quite 100 % but I am way better than I was at the beginning of the year.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck with your journey back to health. Just watch how much refined starch and sugar you consume because celiac is a strange condition and you can find yourself developing all sorts of new intolerances if you don’t keep your diet simple and wholegrain.
Watch out for the highly refined starches in gluten free pre prepared foods and try to include less potato starch, tapioca starch and corn starch in your flour mixes.
x x x
Wow – great to here your story. can’t wait to share it with my daughter.
I’m sure you’re an inspiration for many, and an example, for some you may not know. I know you’re happy to have that diagnosis – be so thankful that you got it when you did. I went through weirdo health stuff my whole life… nothing made sense, and even having kids was affected… I got my diagnosis at 45. But, I’m thankful every day for this new and amazing chance for life! Keep on blogging!
Hey, I know this post is like almost a year old, but I (also a teen) just went through about the same things last June! (So did my brother, 2 years older)
I applaud you in your valiance of fighting the gluten fight. I’ve had this wonderful condition – along with many other wonderful hindrances – since gr 8 and 6 years later and I still haven’t gotten a handle on the whole thing. Good on you 😀