I just spent a fabulous weekend in Portland with my best friend, because it was one year follow up time. I love that the bestie and the doc are in the same area, and since it's 4 hours from me, I get to see both in one visit!
I find it hard to believe that it's been a year already, in fact, it's been over a year and there's no looking back. I had a lovely appointment with my amazing Gastroenterologist, Dr. Stefan. He's what I like to call a miracle worker, this man promised he would figure me out and he sure did. It was a year ago, March 2011, that Dr. Stefan decided I was to try gluten free. My diagnosis of Celiac Disease had been confirmed and it was time to get to feeling better! I wasn't sure I was able to do it, but what choice do you have? None, honestly, either change or continue with the same. I was in no way shape or form going to continue with more of the same, that would be out right torture.
I've learned so much in the past year, from cooking to vitamins, to studying up on what makes this disease tick. I decided to embrace the fact that I was different and educate as many people as I could along the way. Why not embrace the difference, especially when I can use that to better myself and others! I've learned so much, especially about cooking, ha ha oh yes the cooking...I really was not that great at it before, I've now learned how to make gluten free food that people never even know it's gluten free! Yes, that was a huge need in my world, I need to be able to have my friends over and have them enjoy the same food I'm eating. How awesome is it that a person, if they chose to embrace the change, can live as a normal as they ever did! Who knew that I would learn to function as nothing had ever happen. Now I realize that some of you are reading this and saying, " Whatever lady, it's just gut pain, get over it". It's not just gut pain, we are talking a full blown disease that can cause cancers if not taken care of properly. We're talking a disease that can cause a person to be sick all of the time due to a lowered immune system if not taken care of. We're talking a disease that I may pass on to my children, if I don't learn to live with it now and educate the people around me, then how can expect a tiny version of myself to cope with it? This is life, and we take it day by day, each day is great!
When Dr. Stefan and I sat down this time around, we discussed how well I've done with the change of diet and life style. He was amazed at how much I had learned, and how awesome I was feeling. He even asked me for a few tips on eating out (which I hardly do, but that's another blog topic) that he could pass on to his other patients in my same boat. He was more than happy that I had come so far and continue to strive for a healthy lifestyle. I had to remind him of the day he told me he'd fix me, and bring to his attention that he most definitely did. What an awesome doc to have, the simple fact that he's down to earth and caring has made this experience so wonderful. Thank you for that doc, you rock!
Now I stand at 1 year follow ups for the rest of my life, of course unless I have issues and who knows what the future brings, but I'll take that day when it gets here. For a new adventure though, I have decided to try and become a "whole foodie". So basically, I'm going to stay to more of the whole foods, fruits, veggies, nuts, lean meats and a little dairy, very little dairy. Dairy and I are not really friends, with the exception of organic yogurt and some cheese. I just have decided that organics are the way to go, who needs all that pesticide anyway? Monsanto can keep their cancer causing chemicals, I'm not eating it! My mother and I discussed this in depth the other day, I've been reading up on the whole gardening gig, and trying to decided the best way to go about all of this. My mom of course, is all for it. She's my cheerleader, her and my dad both. They actually are getting into the whole foods more as well, it's just a healthier way to live and eat! I always laugh at the hippie comments I get from friends and family, I guess I'm just getting back to my hippie roots! We all should, there's no better way to live, be happy, healthy, and love life to the fullest!! <3
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