Diagnosed 6 years, Dedicated NOW

This entry is just a little something about me and where I am right now. I intend this blog to keep myself honest about the gluten-free life and perhaps learn and teach through my journey.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A13):
 

I was diagnosed gluten intolerant by my family physician when I was 15 years-old. Before that I was always sick with sinus infections, canker sores, if a virus was going around I got the intense form, ovarian cysts at the age of 13, which included UNBELIEVABLE PAIN! The cysts went away but the pain stayed. After a good 6 months of pain, the pain got worse and that is when I was diagnosed through a blood test. I came home from school and the doctor had called to tell my mom to look up gluten. I learned everything from the internet, but I was told I was only mildly/moderately gluten intolerant and could eat some gluten. So for a year I lived like this. My parents do not not care about my gluten intolerance, but at the same time they don't have interest in it. It became my duty to research the disease and come up with the gluten-free meals and gluten-free foods. This still holds true today and that has all contributed to many glutenous missteps in my life.

I currently live in Chile (study abroad) and I will be in Chile until December. I have found it a bit difficult to find gluten-free anything here, although they do have a tiny, tiny section at the grocery store near-by that is gluten-free.

I last purposely gluten myself October 3, 2008, with a piece of a pastry puff and a dessert from Chile. I am still suffering from D and stomach aches right now. I realized this day that I am being self destructive and that I am still sick. Although I have 5 month periods of gluten-free life, follow by a 3 week relapse, I now realize I have not allowed myself to get better. That is why I have (Oct. 4th) dedicated myself to a gluten-free life, COMPLETELY! And I must figure out my parents on the way, but first I face the challenges of eating gluten-free in a foreign country. Wish me luck!

(I hope to loose the 25 pounds I have gained since the time of my diagnosis, too.)