We are the 1%

  One of the hardest things about having Celiac disease is the assumption from general society that our family giving up Gluten is a trend. For my family this is not a trend, it's a serious medical lifestyle change. Recently, I have been struggling with malnourishment and the inability to absorb important vitamins spite taking upwards of 20 supplements a day. Now our two year old has been diagnosed at the same time we find out he is severely anemic and has a red blood cell abnormality. He has gained less than a pound in a year but we assumed because he eats and has gotten a foot taller that it was okay...turns out that he is also on the road to the same issues as I have. Lucky for him and us, he didn't have to wait so long to find out about it and we can make the necessary changes now for a better tomorrow, tomorrow. I find myself so anxious reading labels in the grocery store and trying to learn what is allowed and what isn't..not because I particularly enjoy moisture deprived food but because I really want to rid the gut pain and medical side effects of this crappy disease.
   It is estimated that only 1% of the population actually have been tested and diagnosed with Celiac disease - but 1/3 of the entire population is trying to eliminate gluten from their everyday diets.  Grocery stores carry a plethora of gluten free products now and more and more it's recommended that you should not eat gluten. Eventually gluten will cause cancer...or something...hell, in 20 years blogging will give you cancer.  Zachary and I are that 1% and for us this is not a trendy fad and it's not easy and it sucks. I get depressed and down that this has become reality - how can something so serious be a fad to so many people? I guess the answer would be because gluten IS bad even if you do not have the dreaded Celiac. Celiac keeps getting that annoying red zig zag line under it - even Webster is perplexed. Guess I need to just suck it up and add it to my computers dictionary huh? Not today though, I'm not ready.
   What is Gluten? Some people are so confused as to what gluten even is. I know I didn't know until this who celiac bomb was dropped one dreadful, probably rainy and cold but humid day at the doctors office. When flour is mixed with water, gluten forms a sticky bond between the small proteins in different grains like wheat. This gluten which is so bad is what makes bread taste so good and noodles - oh my. When the gluten reaches my intestines my body (and anyone with Celiac) attacks against it and causes an immune system war with the gluten. Since gluten is found in so many products the immunity system tends to eventually weaken from the constant battle of the bonds (get it? heh...nevermind). This attack is present even in people without Celiac disease. Be aware - you are killing your immune system with each delightful bagel or piece of lasagna.
   In people with Celiac, the attack is an even more aggressive one. The immune system not only attacks the protiens of gluten but also the enzymes needed by the intestinal track. This attack causes degeneration of the intestines and leads to, which is what I am currently experiencing, lack of the bodies ability to absorb nutrients, digestive problems, anemia, and so many other terrible, awful, sucky things. Long medical lesson short - Celiac may be a trend to come, but it also is a very serious condition.
   Even though gluten does not effect the emotional system directly - the medical conditions that celiac causes does cause a lot of emotional issues. There are days when the hustle of the grocery store depresses me. To be able to whiz through the store again and not worry what a label says..ahh the wonderful dreams I have! The more our son, Zachary's condition comes into light the more I hate the fact that the world has been poisoned with so many unnatural chemicals, toxins and just in general shit that doesn't belong in our food. I am angry sometimes that the world is being brainwashed with this whole chemicals and toxins fix you but the things provided by the Earth cannot. Do you really think that if a Prozac was meant to fix the brain that it wouldn't grow on trees? Seriously, why do we trust a mix of chemicals - some we are not even suppose to touch, ingest or even breathe in - but do not trust a natural lifestyle? Ahh I am getting off track. The whole healthcare industry confuses me...if only it would magically fix itself. The more doctors I see who tell me I need medicine for this or that...everything I need is right here on Earth...and I shouldn't need a prescription for it.

Annnnyways,
  I just wanted to say this to those who say things like "Yeah, gluten free huh? It's a good trend right now" or "Oh following the fads these days huh?" - Get educated. Don't assume. And don't say stupid things like that to someone you do not know. Having Celiac is hard. It hurts, it's expensive and it's frustrating. No, I do not like flat hard bread that my kids think are the consistency of a burnt cookie but tasted like a crunchy, dried out piece of ..."if tan
had a taste" taste (ha, that was a failed attempt at MOIST gluten free bread). I understand that it's hard to keep up to date on the entire medical dictionary but there is always the wise old saying "If you do not have something nice to say - then shut the F&*% up".

The End.