Re: VENT: frustrated and irritated

[Guest guest]

KerryAnn Do not let people get to you. I had similar comments made to me when I was diagnosed last year. I live with my MIL and she told me that the doctor was making it up because he probably got a kick back from the food stores. Some people just cannot understand the serious consequences. My father did not know he was Celiac until it was too late, He ended up with a rare cancer that people with UNTREATED celiac have a higher risk of getting. He died at 49 years old. Do what you have to so you can be here in the future for your family... There are plenty of people on this site who have helped me and they will help you too! KerryAnn wrote: I'm new and already behind on my e-mail, so I haven't read anything since yesterday at dinner with the group. I'm trying to get caught up and go through the archives to grow my 'sea legs' before I dive in with a bunch of questions. But I really need to vent, and I have a feeling you all will understand. I'm terribly frustrated. Everyone keeps on telling me that it can't be as bad as what I'm describing. I talked with someone at my church to try to help coordinate getting help to get the kitchen cleared, and they didn't believe me when I said I've got to get rid of my toaster, all of my Pampered Chef (I just completed my

stonewear collection two months ago *sob*), most of my cookware, and everything needs to be scrubbed down and cleaned. Our old stove is also on its last leg, so we're going to go ahead and get a new one while we're going through everything else. Everyone thinks that I'm over-blowing this and being difficult and over-reacting. I've been so sick I've been homebound for 5 weeks except two trips to the ER and two trips to the doctor. Just touching something that contained gluten in it a few days ago made me VERY sick within 30 minutes. I realize I'm probably going to be homebound for at least a couple of more months. Right now, I spend most of my day in bed or sitting in my recliner doing research to know what I need to do. I also have two toddlers and I'm having to hire people to care for them. I'm just too sick right now. This is going to cost a lot of money just to get a working kitchen again, much less the specialty foods and the help to get up and going, and the

medical care to get me to where I'm well enough to take over again. And I have no idea where the help is going to come from, even if I do have the money to pay for it, which is doubtful.I guess my biggest frustration is people confusing being symptom free with having no cellular damage. The woman who coordinates the help at church has a husband whose sister is celiac, and they assume he's celiac as well, and he says he's fine as long as he doesn't eat "too much" gluten, so I don't have to go through all of this and I'm just making a lot of work for people that isn't necessary so they don't want to coordinate help. Arugh.How would you respond to this?Down and Depressed,KerryAnn in NCwww.cookingNT.com

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

KerryAnn Do not let people get to you. I had similar comments made to me when I was diagnosed last year. I live with my MIL and she told me that the doctor was making it up because he probably got a kick back from the food stores. Some people just cannot understand the serious consequences. My father did not know he was Celiac until it was too late, He ended up with a rare cancer that people with UNTREATED celiac have a higher risk of getting. He died at 49 years old. Do what you have to so you can be here in the future for your family... There are plenty of people on this site who have helped me and they will help you too! KerryAnn wrote: I'm new and already behind on my e-mail, so I haven't read anything since yesterday at dinner with the group. I'm trying to get caught up and go through the archives to grow my 'sea legs' before I dive in with a bunch of questions. But I really need to vent, and I have a feeling you all will understand. I'm terribly frustrated. Everyone keeps on telling me that it can't be as bad as what I'm describing. I talked with someone at my church to try to help coordinate getting help to get the kitchen cleared, and they didn't believe me when I said I've got to get rid of my toaster, all of my Pampered Chef (I just completed my

stonewear collection two months ago *sob*), most of my cookware, and everything needs to be scrubbed down and cleaned. Our old stove is also on its last leg, so we're going to go ahead and get a new one while we're going through everything else. Everyone thinks that I'm over-blowing this and being difficult and over-reacting. I've been so sick I've been homebound for 5 weeks except two trips to the ER and two trips to the doctor. Just touching something that contained gluten in it a few days ago made me VERY sick within 30 minutes. I realize I'm probably going to be homebound for at least a couple of more months. Right now, I spend most of my day in bed or sitting in my recliner doing research to know what I need to do. I also have two toddlers and I'm having to hire people to care for them. I'm just too sick right now. This is going to cost a lot of money just to get a working kitchen again, much less the specialty foods and the help to get up and going, and the

medical care to get me to where I'm well enough to take over again. And I have no idea where the help is going to come from, even if I do have the money to pay for it, which is doubtful.I guess my biggest frustration is people confusing being symptom free with having no cellular damage. The woman who coordinates the help at church has a husband whose sister is celiac, and they assume he's celiac as well, and he says he's fine as long as he doesn't eat "too much" gluten, so I don't have to go through all of this and I'm just making a lot of work for people that isn't necessary so they don't want to coordinate help. Arugh.How would you respond to this?Down and Depressed,KerryAnn in NCwww.cookingNT.com

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

KerryAnn Do not let people get to you. I had similar comments made to me when I was diagnosed last year. I live with my MIL and she told me that the doctor was making it up because he probably got a kick back from the food stores. Some people just cannot understand the serious consequences. My father did not know he was Celiac until it was too late, He ended up with a rare cancer that people with UNTREATED celiac have a higher risk of getting. He died at 49 years old. Do what you have to so you can be here in the future for your family... There are plenty of people on this site who have helped me and they will help you too! KerryAnn wrote: I'm new and already behind on my e-mail, so I haven't read anything since yesterday at dinner with the group. I'm trying to get caught up and go through the archives to grow my 'sea legs' before I dive in with a bunch of questions. But I really need to vent, and I have a feeling you all will understand. I'm terribly frustrated. Everyone keeps on telling me that it can't be as bad as what I'm describing. I talked with someone at my church to try to help coordinate getting help to get the kitchen cleared, and they didn't believe me when I said I've got to get rid of my toaster, all of my Pampered Chef (I just completed my

stonewear collection two months ago *sob*), most of my cookware, and everything needs to be scrubbed down and cleaned. Our old stove is also on its last leg, so we're going to go ahead and get a new one while we're going through everything else. Everyone thinks that I'm over-blowing this and being difficult and over-reacting. I've been so sick I've been homebound for 5 weeks except two trips to the ER and two trips to the doctor. Just touching something that contained gluten in it a few days ago made me VERY sick within 30 minutes. I realize I'm probably going to be homebound for at least a couple of more months. Right now, I spend most of my day in bed or sitting in my recliner doing research to know what I need to do. I also have two toddlers and I'm having to hire people to care for them. I'm just too sick right now. This is going to cost a lot of money just to get a working kitchen again, much less the specialty foods and the help to get up and going, and the

medical care to get me to where I'm well enough to take over again. And I have no idea where the help is going to come from, even if I do have the money to pay for it, which is doubtful.I guess my biggest frustration is people confusing being symptom free with having no cellular damage. The woman who coordinates the help at church has a husband whose sister is celiac, and they assume he's celiac as well, and he says he's fine as long as he doesn't eat "too much" gluten, so I don't have to go through all of this and I'm just making a lot of work for people that isn't necessary so they don't want to coordinate help. Arugh.How would you respond to this?Down and Depressed,KerryAnn in NCwww.cookingNT.com

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

Kerry Ann,

I know it is so hard and the people in the church should be a lot more understanding but I am finding sometimes they are the hardest to get on the same page. I found sometimes I have to just have to find help elsewhere. Do you have any family in the area? That is where I found my best source of help at times. My family lives a lot further away but I have found them to be more understanding.

As for the person who eats a limited amount and does okay is missing the fact he is still making himself sick. But then there are a lot of Celiacs out there with that mentality I am finding. I have found this group to be totally wonderful because we are able to get the support of doing the GF diet 100%.

People don't even understand what gluten is let alone how hard it is to control the cross contamination.

It is very discouraging when you have to have defend any decision to them but maybe if they see your committment to rid all the old appliances they might come around. Can your husband go to bat and speak to them about it? Can he tell them that this is the way it is suppose to be and that you have been sick and need to get well? Sometimes they see it differently when our husbands step in.

I hope you get some help soon!

[Guest guest]

KerryAnn

This will all get better. You are not over reacting. Good for you

for getting rid of all the gluten laden stuff in your kitchen.

I did the same thing and do not allow any gluten in my

house.

I sent you a private note (longer) but please call on me if

I can help you.

Your body has a lot of healing to do.

With best wishes,

Lanier

Lanier Law Group, P.A.

Offices in Raleigh, Durham, Winston-Salem, Greensboro,

Charlotte, Wilmington, Fayetteville & Greenville

[Guest guest]

Hey,

I had my tests done the first week of April, I had ear problems and

my allergist decided to test because my mother was celiac. I didn't

hear anything about the tests, developed appendicitis and had my

appendix removed on April 30. Checked back with the allergist on

May 15 and was shocked to find that they had sent the test results

to the wrong address! They knew around April 16 and never phoned.

And the doctor said that possibly the appendicitis might not have

developed if I had gone GF sooner (but who really knows for sure?).

I had medical bills. I've been poked, scanned (CAT, twice), MRI (of

my ear checking for tumors), more blood tests, a colonoscopy

scheduled for tomorrow (which was postponed for a month, celiacs

have a much higher incidence of all kinds of gastrointestinal

problems), etc. etc. I had to educate my regular doctor about CD. I

had to hunt down a knowledgeable GI doctor. And an ENT who knew

something. I have a 3 inch thick folder with all the medical stuff.

Luckily, my insurance has covered a lot.

I had to clean out my whole kitchen and buy some new stuff. I don't

have toddlers at home (wish that I had that problem, infertility is

a side effect, I'd love to have a few kids to hassle with). I had

just bought a house and had all this happen just a few weeks after

moving in the first weekend in April!

And you know what? I'm just happy to be around today on my

birthday, Aug. 10, because I'm feeling so much better. It helped to

get some extra vitamins and eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. And

I look at my mother who after 2 years of this diet and change in

lifestyle is so much happier and healthier and know that things will

continue to get better.

So vent some (I did!), realize that most people won't understand. I

don't think that I really understood when my mother was diagnosed

and I was one of the " better ones " according to her! That's why its

important to get help and advice from other celiacs!

>

> I'm terribly frustrated. Everyone keeps on telling me that it

can't be as bad as what I'm describing.

> I've been so sick I've been homebound for 5 weeks except two trips

to the ER and two trips to the doctor. Just touching something that

contained gluten in it a few days ago made me VERY sick within 30

minutes. I realize I'm probably going to be homebound for at least

a couple of more months. Right now, I spend most of my day in bed

or sitting in my recliner doing research to know what I need to do.

I also have two toddlers and I'm having to hire people to care for

them. I'm just too sick right now. This is going to cost a lot of

money just to get a working kitchen again, much less the specialty

foods and the help to get up and going, and the medical care to get

me to where I'm well enough to take over again. And I have no idea

where the help is going to come from, even if I do have the money to

pay for it, which is doubtful.

>

Suggestions: Start out with a few simple items: potatoes and brown

rice (legumes if you can tolerate them, they might produce too much

gas!), fruits and vegetables (think easily digestable, at first),

meats, etc. Knock off the dairy for awhile. Check out lists to see

what common packaged foods are GF/DF. Make simple meals for awhile

and make large batches, freezing or storing the extra for later.

Don't worry about getting the costlier specialty stuff until later.

Ask for temporary help for just a weekend or day or whatever

until " you get over the hump " . Explain that once you get better,

you'll be able to do most things for yourself, just right now you

need a hand. Don't buy a lot of new gadgets, just package the stuff

that you can't really use because of contamination, and store

somewhere. You can have a garage sale later or something.

Start using old fashioned techniques to cook for awhile, if you

can't afford new items right away. I " toasted " my GF frozen waffles

in a skillet a few times until I could get a toaster!

> How would you respond to this?

>

> Down and Depressed,

> KerryAnn in NC

> www.cookingNT.com

>

I'll bet that in three months you can rejoice that you've gotten

over the hump and are getting better.

Joy

[Guest guest]

Hey,

I had my tests done the first week of April, I had ear problems and

my allergist decided to test because my mother was celiac. I didn't

hear anything about the tests, developed appendicitis and had my

appendix removed on April 30. Checked back with the allergist on

May 15 and was shocked to find that they had sent the test results

to the wrong address! They knew around April 16 and never phoned.

And the doctor said that possibly the appendicitis might not have

developed if I had gone GF sooner (but who really knows for sure?).

I had medical bills. I've been poked, scanned (CAT, twice), MRI (of

my ear checking for tumors), more blood tests, a colonoscopy

scheduled for tomorrow (which was postponed for a month, celiacs

have a much higher incidence of all kinds of gastrointestinal

problems), etc. etc. I had to educate my regular doctor about CD. I

had to hunt down a knowledgeable GI doctor. And an ENT who knew

something. I have a 3 inch thick folder with all the medical stuff.

Luckily, my insurance has covered a lot.

I had to clean out my whole kitchen and buy some new stuff. I don't

have toddlers at home (wish that I had that problem, infertility is

a side effect, I'd love to have a few kids to hassle with). I had

just bought a house and had all this happen just a few weeks after

moving in the first weekend in April!

And you know what? I'm just happy to be around today on my

birthday, Aug. 10, because I'm feeling so much better. It helped to

get some extra vitamins and eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. And

I look at my mother who after 2 years of this diet and change in

lifestyle is so much happier and healthier and know that things will

continue to get better.

So vent some (I did!), realize that most people won't understand. I

don't think that I really understood when my mother was diagnosed

and I was one of the " better ones " according to her! That's why its

important to get help and advice from other celiacs!

>

> I'm terribly frustrated. Everyone keeps on telling me that it

can't be as bad as what I'm describing.

> I've been so sick I've been homebound for 5 weeks except two trips

to the ER and two trips to the doctor. Just touching something that

contained gluten in it a few days ago made me VERY sick within 30

minutes. I realize I'm probably going to be homebound for at least

a couple of more months. Right now, I spend most of my day in bed

or sitting in my recliner doing research to know what I need to do.

I also have two toddlers and I'm having to hire people to care for

them. I'm just too sick right now. This is going to cost a lot of

money just to get a working kitchen again, much less the specialty

foods and the help to get up and going, and the medical care to get

me to where I'm well enough to take over again. And I have no idea

where the help is going to come from, even if I do have the money to

pay for it, which is doubtful.

>

Suggestions: Start out with a few simple items: potatoes and brown

rice (legumes if you can tolerate them, they might produce too much

gas!), fruits and vegetables (think easily digestable, at first),

meats, etc. Knock off the dairy for awhile. Check out lists to see

what common packaged foods are GF/DF. Make simple meals for awhile

and make large batches, freezing or storing the extra for later.

Don't worry about getting the costlier specialty stuff until later.

Ask for temporary help for just a weekend or day or whatever

until " you get over the hump " . Explain that once you get better,

you'll be able to do most things for yourself, just right now you

need a hand. Don't buy a lot of new gadgets, just package the stuff

that you can't really use because of contamination, and store

somewhere. You can have a garage sale later or something.

Start using old fashioned techniques to cook for awhile, if you

can't afford new items right away. I " toasted " my GF frozen waffles

in a skillet a few times until I could get a toaster!

> How would you respond to this?

>

> Down and Depressed,

> KerryAnn in NC

> www.cookingNT.com

>

I'll bet that in three months you can rejoice that you've gotten

over the hump and are getting better.

Joy

[Guest guest]

Hey,

I had my tests done the first week of April, I had ear problems and

my allergist decided to test because my mother was celiac. I didn't

hear anything about the tests, developed appendicitis and had my

appendix removed on April 30. Checked back with the allergist on

May 15 and was shocked to find that they had sent the test results

to the wrong address! They knew around April 16 and never phoned.

And the doctor said that possibly the appendicitis might not have

developed if I had gone GF sooner (but who really knows for sure?).

I had medical bills. I've been poked, scanned (CAT, twice), MRI (of

my ear checking for tumors), more blood tests, a colonoscopy

scheduled for tomorrow (which was postponed for a month, celiacs

have a much higher incidence of all kinds of gastrointestinal

problems), etc. etc. I had to educate my regular doctor about CD. I

had to hunt down a knowledgeable GI doctor. And an ENT who knew

something. I have a 3 inch thick folder with all the medical stuff.

Luckily, my insurance has covered a lot.

I had to clean out my whole kitchen and buy some new stuff. I don't

have toddlers at home (wish that I had that problem, infertility is

a side effect, I'd love to have a few kids to hassle with). I had

just bought a house and had all this happen just a few weeks after

moving in the first weekend in April!

And you know what? I'm just happy to be around today on my

birthday, Aug. 10, because I'm feeling so much better. It helped to

get some extra vitamins and eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. And

I look at my mother who after 2 years of this diet and change in

lifestyle is so much happier and healthier and know that things will

continue to get better.

So vent some (I did!), realize that most people won't understand. I

don't think that I really understood when my mother was diagnosed

and I was one of the " better ones " according to her! That's why its

important to get help and advice from other celiacs!

>

> I'm terribly frustrated. Everyone keeps on telling me that it

can't be as bad as what I'm describing.

> I've been so sick I've been homebound for 5 weeks except two trips

to the ER and two trips to the doctor. Just touching something that

contained gluten in it a few days ago made me VERY sick within 30

minutes. I realize I'm probably going to be homebound for at least

a couple of more months. Right now, I spend most of my day in bed

or sitting in my recliner doing research to know what I need to do.

I also have two toddlers and I'm having to hire people to care for

them. I'm just too sick right now. This is going to cost a lot of

money just to get a working kitchen again, much less the specialty

foods and the help to get up and going, and the medical care to get

me to where I'm well enough to take over again. And I have no idea

where the help is going to come from, even if I do have the money to

pay for it, which is doubtful.

>

Suggestions: Start out with a few simple items: potatoes and brown

rice (legumes if you can tolerate them, they might produce too much

gas!), fruits and vegetables (think easily digestable, at first),

meats, etc. Knock off the dairy for awhile. Check out lists to see

what common packaged foods are GF/DF. Make simple meals for awhile

and make large batches, freezing or storing the extra for later.

Don't worry about getting the costlier specialty stuff until later.

Ask for temporary help for just a weekend or day or whatever

until " you get over the hump " . Explain that once you get better,

you'll be able to do most things for yourself, just right now you

need a hand. Don't buy a lot of new gadgets, just package the stuff

that you can't really use because of contamination, and store

somewhere. You can have a garage sale later or something.

Start using old fashioned techniques to cook for awhile, if you

can't afford new items right away. I " toasted " my GF frozen waffles

in a skillet a few times until I could get a toaster!

> How would you respond to this?

>

> Down and Depressed,

> KerryAnn in NC

> www.cookingNT.com

>

I'll bet that in three months you can rejoice that you've gotten

over the hump and are getting better.

Joy

[Guest guest]

Hello KerryAnn, I feel for you! I have two children under the age of 6. A year ago we moved, a big move from the city to the mountains, a change of lifestyle. And immediately our oldest son was sick, your symptoms sound so familiar they bring back memories of last summer. Because we moved we also changed Dr.'s and this Dr. recognized Celiac Disease, thank heaven. BUT our world turned upside down just finding time to become educated when you have small children seemed impossible and a trip to the grocery nearly put into tears AND I was not sick. One of things that we have learned over this last year is Celiac effects many other things in your system, and it changes. It reminded of being pregnant where one week you can eat this and the next you can't. My advice is buy small quantities of the foods, like 2 at at time to try them first. I say 2 because from our experience if you like it sometimes you cannot get it again easily, often I go shopping and there is no inventory. If you don't like it you only

throw out 2. If you haven't been tested for other allergeries- request it NOW. As well as a breath lactose intolerance test. Best to know exactly what you can tolerate before starting the new diet. We started the new diet it had a wonderful effect on our son but after 6 months it didn't. His other allergies and intolerances took over after "Gluten" was eliminated from his diet so we had to restart the GF diet eliminating lactose and over 100 other foods he tested allergic to. Now he may not actually be allergic to those 100 other foods but until his intestines heal his test results say he is and we have him restricted and this diet seems to be working. He is gaining weight. As for the kitchen- it’s an evolution and takes time. Use foil on your old bake ware until you can replace it and a lot of disposables. It can be overwhelming especially when YOU are sick. YOU have to heal and that means rest. I think the hardest part for a Celiac is you may not outwardly appear sick to others. "He doesn't look sick", That is always the first comment we get when people find out our son has a disease. YES, a real life threatening disease that must be treated, NOT an intolerance or an allergy. Another experience I'll shall is there is a huge range of Celica’s from those who have little to no symptoms to those like my son who seem to have the more complex symptoms. So you'll find those that act like it's just a rash and treat you as such because their experience has been minimal. And then like you, you'll meet folks that visit the ER and connect with them. Those folks will be your best resources. I have to go my little one is standing in front of the computer with a stinky diaper. TAKE CARE OF YOU FIRST ! Sending you positive thoughts...you will get through this, Theresa

[Guest guest]

Happy Birthday!!

> >

> > I'm terribly frustrated. Everyone keeps on telling me that it

> can't be as bad as what I'm describing.

>

> > I've been so sick I've been homebound for 5 weeks except two

trips

> to the ER and two trips to the doctor. Just touching something

that

> contained gluten in it a few days ago made me VERY sick within 30

> minutes. I realize I'm probably going to be homebound for at

least

> a couple of more months. Right now, I spend most of my day in bed

> or sitting in my recliner doing research to know what I need to

do.

> I also have two toddlers and I'm having to hire people to care for

> them. I'm just too sick right now. This is going to cost a lot

of

> money just to get a working kitchen again, much less the specialty

> foods and the help to get up and going, and the medical care to

get

> me to where I'm well enough to take over again. And I have no

idea

> where the help is going to come from, even if I do have the money

to

> pay for it, which is doubtful.

> >

>

> Suggestions: Start out with a few simple items: potatoes and brown

> rice (legumes if you can tolerate them, they might produce too

much

> gas!), fruits and vegetables (think easily digestable, at first),

> meats, etc. Knock off the dairy for awhile. Check out lists to

see

> what common packaged foods are GF/DF. Make simple meals for

awhile

> and make large batches, freezing or storing the extra for later.

> Don't worry about getting the costlier specialty stuff until later.

> Ask for temporary help for just a weekend or day or whatever

> until " you get over the hump " . Explain that once you get better,

> you'll be able to do most things for yourself, just right now you

> need a hand. Don't buy a lot of new gadgets, just package the

stuff

> that you can't really use because of contamination, and store

> somewhere. You can have a garage sale later or something.

>

> Start using old fashioned techniques to cook for awhile, if you

> can't afford new items right away. I " toasted " my GF frozen

waffles

> in a skillet a few times until I could get a toaster!

>

> > How would you respond to this?

> >

> > Down and Depressed,

> > KerryAnn in NC

> > www.cookingNT.com

> >

>

> I'll bet that in three months you can rejoice that you've gotten

> over the hump and are getting better.

>

> Joy

>

[Guest guest]

Happy Birthday!!

> >

> > I'm terribly frustrated. Everyone keeps on telling me that it

> can't be as bad as what I'm describing.

>

> > I've been so sick I've been homebound for 5 weeks except two

trips

> to the ER and two trips to the doctor. Just touching something

that

> contained gluten in it a few days ago made me VERY sick within 30

> minutes. I realize I'm probably going to be homebound for at

least

> a couple of more months. Right now, I spend most of my day in bed

> or sitting in my recliner doing research to know what I need to

do.

> I also have two toddlers and I'm having to hire people to care for

> them. I'm just too sick right now. This is going to cost a lot

of

> money just to get a working kitchen again, much less the specialty

> foods and the help to get up and going, and the medical care to

get

> me to where I'm well enough to take over again. And I have no

idea

> where the help is going to come from, even if I do have the money

to

> pay for it, which is doubtful.

> >

>

> Suggestions: Start out with a few simple items: potatoes and brown

> rice (legumes if you can tolerate them, they might produce too

much

> gas!), fruits and vegetables (think easily digestable, at first),

> meats, etc. Knock off the dairy for awhile. Check out lists to

see

> what common packaged foods are GF/DF. Make simple meals for

awhile

> and make large batches, freezing or storing the extra for later.

> Don't worry about getting the costlier specialty stuff until later.

> Ask for temporary help for just a weekend or day or whatever

> until " you get over the hump " . Explain that once you get better,

> you'll be able to do most things for yourself, just right now you

> need a hand. Don't buy a lot of new gadgets, just package the

stuff

> that you can't really use because of contamination, and store

> somewhere. You can have a garage sale later or something.

>

> Start using old fashioned techniques to cook for awhile, if you

> can't afford new items right away. I " toasted " my GF frozen

waffles

> in a skillet a few times until I could get a toaster!

>

> > How would you respond to this?

> >

> > Down and Depressed,

> > KerryAnn in NC

> > www.cookingNT.com

> >

>

> I'll bet that in three months you can rejoice that you've gotten

> over the hump and are getting better.

>

> Joy

>

[Guest guest]

Happy Birthday!!

> >

> > I'm terribly frustrated. Everyone keeps on telling me that it

> can't be as bad as what I'm describing.

>

> > I've been so sick I've been homebound for 5 weeks except two

trips

> to the ER and two trips to the doctor. Just touching something

that

> contained gluten in it a few days ago made me VERY sick within 30

> minutes. I realize I'm probably going to be homebound for at

least

> a couple of more months. Right now, I spend most of my day in bed

> or sitting in my recliner doing research to know what I need to

do.

> I also have two toddlers and I'm having to hire people to care for

> them. I'm just too sick right now. This is going to cost a lot

of

> money just to get a working kitchen again, much less the specialty

> foods and the help to get up and going, and the medical care to

get

> me to where I'm well enough to take over again. And I have no

idea

> where the help is going to come from, even if I do have the money

to

> pay for it, which is doubtful.

> >

>

> Suggestions: Start out with a few simple items: potatoes and brown

> rice (legumes if you can tolerate them, they might produce too

much

> gas!), fruits and vegetables (think easily digestable, at first),

> meats, etc. Knock off the dairy for awhile. Check out lists to

see

> what common packaged foods are GF/DF. Make simple meals for

awhile

> and make large batches, freezing or storing the extra for later.

> Don't worry about getting the costlier specialty stuff until later.

> Ask for temporary help for just a weekend or day or whatever

> until " you get over the hump " . Explain that once you get better,

> you'll be able to do most things for yourself, just right now you

> need a hand. Don't buy a lot of new gadgets, just package the

stuff

> that you can't really use because of contamination, and store

> somewhere. You can have a garage sale later or something.

>

> Start using old fashioned techniques to cook for awhile, if you

> can't afford new items right away. I " toasted " my GF frozen

waffles

> in a skillet a few times until I could get a toaster!

>

> > How would you respond to this?

> >

> > Down and Depressed,

> > KerryAnn in NC

> > www.cookingNT.com

> >

>

> I'll bet that in three months you can rejoice that you've gotten

> over the hump and are getting better.

>

> Joy

>

[Guest guest]

>

> As for the kitchen- it's an evolution and takes time. Use foil

on your old bake ware until you can replace it and a lot of

disposables. It can be overwhelming especially when YOU are sick.

YOU have to heal and that means rest. I think the hardest part for a

Celiac is you may not outwardly appear sick to others. " He doesn't

look sick " , That is always the first comment we get when people find

out our son has a disease. YES, a real life threatening disease that

must be treated, NOT an intolerance or an allergy.

>

KerryAnn,

She is absolutely right about the foil. It can become your best

ally in the kitchen, whether it's yours or a contaminated friend's

or the church's. I have used it several times at parties and

dinners in other people's homes so that I can better control cross

contamination and eat without fear. So far it has worked for me.

It takes a bit of coordination depending on the specifics, but can

eliminate having to sterilize (or, glutinize?) someone elses'

kitchen without their help or consent. Before everyone understood

what was necessary for me, all I might have had to eat was what I

had brought wrapped in my foil or safely in my Tupperware. And, no

one bats an eyelash anymore when I throw down a couple layers of

foil on their kitchen counter. It was easy once I stopped

apologizing and treated it very matter-of-factly. Sort of, " this is

what I need, if you want me here, you will have to deal with it " .

It is sad that you aren't getting the support you need right now,

when you need it most. There are many on this group that can

identify with that. Just know that what you are doing is right and

necessary for you. Once you begin to heal and feel better, it will

show. Even if they think you dont look sick now, not looking sick

and looking well are two very different things. When people see the

change in you mentally and physically, they may begin to understand

or at least realize that you have to do this and support you.

Good luck,

Lori in ATL

[Guest guest]

>

> As for the kitchen- it's an evolution and takes time. Use foil

on your old bake ware until you can replace it and a lot of

disposables. It can be overwhelming especially when YOU are sick.

YOU have to heal and that means rest. I think the hardest part for a

Celiac is you may not outwardly appear sick to others. " He doesn't

look sick " , That is always the first comment we get when people find

out our son has a disease. YES, a real life threatening disease that

must be treated, NOT an intolerance or an allergy.

>

KerryAnn,

She is absolutely right about the foil. It can become your best

ally in the kitchen, whether it's yours or a contaminated friend's

or the church's. I have used it several times at parties and

dinners in other people's homes so that I can better control cross

contamination and eat without fear. So far it has worked for me.

It takes a bit of coordination depending on the specifics, but can

eliminate having to sterilize (or, glutinize?) someone elses'

kitchen without their help or consent. Before everyone understood

what was necessary for me, all I might have had to eat was what I

had brought wrapped in my foil or safely in my Tupperware. And, no

one bats an eyelash anymore when I throw down a couple layers of

foil on their kitchen counter. It was easy once I stopped

apologizing and treated it very matter-of-factly. Sort of, " this is

what I need, if you want me here, you will have to deal with it " .

It is sad that you aren't getting the support you need right now,

when you need it most. There are many on this group that can

identify with that. Just know that what you are doing is right and

necessary for you. Once you begin to heal and feel better, it will

show. Even if they think you dont look sick now, not looking sick

and looking well are two very different things. When people see the

change in you mentally and physically, they may begin to understand

or at least realize that you have to do this and support you.

Good luck,

Lori in ATL