Gluten Free

I went to the doc back in the summer thinking I had a gallbladder issue. I was hurting severely under my sternum. After every meal I would become lethargic and just need to lay still. My first attack came July 4 weekend, after eating pork BBQ (pizza and sandwiches) for four days in a row. I had an ultrasound which came back negative, and an unwanted bill at this point. ugh! All my lab work came back normal. My PCP said she felt I needed to see a gastroenterologist. So...here I went. After describing my symptoms, he felt it was an ulcer. I mentioned to him (and my PCP) could this be a gluten thing? Both said not likely, but wouldn't rule it out. The gastroenterologist said he would like to do some blood work while I was there just to check for celiac disease. His nurse called me back a few days later and said my immunoglobulin A was deficient and Dr. P wanted to schedule an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) (aka scope in my stomach) to get a biopsy from my stomach/intestines. That is the only 100% conclusive way to know for sure if I have celiac disease.

With a deductible of $2500 and 2 months before Christmas, an EGD isn't going to happen right now. I turned in my letter of intent to take a full time position at the hospital. If/when that takes place Nov 28 and my insurance goes into effect, I'll schedule an EGD then. Should be next to nothing in cost.

I asked the nurse if I could go on a gluten-free diet right now and she said NO. They suggest eating foods high in gluten 3-4 weeks prior to the EGD so the biopsy is more effective. If you have no gluten in your system, it's hard to tell if you have an intolerance to it.

Knowing I wasn't going to have the EGD soon, I began buying a few items at the store that are gluten free. I noticed a difference OVERNIGHT! I have barely had any bloating. Little to no pain. I have not gone completely gluten-free, but I haven't eaten much wheat at all. I ate Bob's Mill gluten free oatmeal this morning, it was delicious and NO bloating. Last night I ate GF penne pasta (light Alfredo sauce/sautéed chicken). Have I found my problem?? I sure hope so. I'm going to continue to eat as gluten-free as possible and see if the positive results continue.

No Stogies

She's been smoke free for one year, as of oct 9. I am so effin proud of her. I never dreamed it would have come as soon as it did after she moved here. She had been smoking for 17 years. We started talking about kids, and I bookmarked the chapter about what smoke does to a pregnant person. After she read it, she gave herself a goal date to quit by...and she did it.

For her consolation prize...I took her on a trip to east TN. Ironically, it's to the city where her ex gf lives. I wish it hadn't of been, because at one point of the trip, that consumed my mind that she

was in the same town and I went a little crazy in my head. Why do I do that? I got in a bad mood, regretted it later, and wished I hadn't of acted so childish. After all, she was with ME.

We had so much fun in the cave, on top of the mountain, and looking at waterfalls. We went out on the town and indulged in banana daiquiris and a drag show. Can't beat that! I love me a good drag show. It wasn't great, but it was entertaining.

The next day we ran to Starbucks for breakfast then drove a beautiful country highway to the state park where we hiked to the waterfalls. We even went below the falls to where it lands into a beautiful pool of water.

Remember my post awhile back about a comment my mother made about ready to leave this world? I was on the phone with her last week and we were discussing smoking. She was telling me that dad couldn't stand to be around smoke. Mom said she told him she is so glad he quit smoking years ago (it would hurt his chest and back). His response to her was "well, at least I'd be outta here". It bothers me when they say things like that. Are their kids/grandkids not enough to WANT to live as long as possible? What's the rush to get to the other side? I realize they just want to hurry up and get to heaven...but what if they have misconceptions about heaven? What if after they leave here...they continue a journey and don't make it to utopia just yet? Will they look back and wish they had enjoyed the time they had here?

It's likely I'll be taking a full time job at the hospital, effective November 28. My three year stent as a sales rep will be coming to an end. It's been a good job...great fun and meeting lots of nice people. But it's not for me, and it's not something I would want to do forever. I'm nervous about taking a full time X-ray job. There is no room for making a TON more money. No bonus, little overtime, and no more sleeping til 10 am a few days a week. But I will have a steady income, excellent benefits, and hopefully a job that will provide for our family for years to come. aka BABIES! I used to kick ass taking X-rays, now I don't feel as confident. It's because of what happened three years ago. That day still haunts me. I hope it doesn't forever.