To Blog or Not To Blog

The last few weeks I've struggled with doubts about myself and whether my voice makes a difference.  I started this blog in 2014 at the suggestion and encouragement of a friend from church.  She said that I could help others by sharing my experiences and what I've learned since my Celiac diagnosis.

I've worried that this blog and what I've been doing with my local support group (more on this topic to come later this week) hasn't really reached or helped anyone.  It's so hard to know if you're making a difference when you receive little to no feedback.  Are people actually reading my posts?  Are my posts helping anyone at all?

Anyone who knows me knows that faith is an extremely important part of my life.  Today, the message my pastor gave at church hit home in a big way with me.  It was about getting rid of the toxic thoughts that can cripple us, make us feel worthless, stop us from moving forward and doing what we are called to do.

WOW!  WOW!  WOW!  I needed this so badly!!  I've been feeling like I've been failing to help others.  Wondering who would listen to or even want to hear what I have to say.  See what I did there?!  I made it all about me!  That right there is a HUGE part of my problem!!  I didn't begin this blog, become Siouxland Celiac for myself.  I did it to help others, to raise awareness and to be an encouragement and support to others living with Celiac and other non-Celiac related health issues that require people to be gluten free.

When I began to focus on myself - all I could see were my own shortcomings.  I let toxic and stinkin' thinkin' derail me from what I was trying to do.  These toxic thoughts created crippling doubt and fear in me.

Today's message helped to wake me up and shake off those toxic thoughts and to remember why I write this blog, am a part of my local support group and post via multiple social media outlets.  It is for YOU!!!  Because YOU are important!  What you are going through is real, can be scary and overwhelming and no one should have to feel all alone in this!

So, here am I - in all of my imperfections - saying that I'm here for you.  I'm not here so that you can support me, but I want to be support for you, share information with you and offer encouragement that you are not in this alone.  As long as even one person needs me and can benefit from what I have to say, I will continue to write.  

Food is Medicine

If you are living with Celiac Disease or other health issues that require you to be gluten free then I know you've felt that pinch on the pocketbook.  It is true that the majority of gluten free foods carry a higher price tag than their gluten full counterparts.  I hear and read complaints about this price differential a lot!  When I was first diagnosed I know I complained, as well.  I mean, I'm sure we can all identify with this cartoon someone posted in a Celiac Support Group I am in on Facebook earlier today.

Have you ever stopped to consider just exactly WHY the prices of gluten free products are higher than other products? 

Now, don't get me wrong.  I HATE living with Celiac Disease.  I wouldn't wish this autoimmune disease on anyone.  However, let's look at this logically, shall we?  There is currently no medical treatment for Celiac Disease.  None.  Zip.  Zero.  The absolute ONLY treatment option for those of us with Celiac Disease is a 100% gluten free life.  This isn't just about diet, but EVERY aspect of our lives from our beauty items, bath soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, household cleaners, and the list goes on and on and on.  Right?!  That can be extremely daunting and discouraging.  It can be extremely isolating at times and means there is a whole lot out there that we can't enjoy or events we cannot participate in.  BUT - on the flip side, our food is our medicine!  How about that?! 

You don't have to rely on medications that break the bank and come with a plethora of possible horrible side effects!  YOU are in the driver's seat.  YOU get to decide what foods to eat, whether to chance eating out or to just say no.  Big Pharma isn't calling the shots - YOU are!  Compared to the price of pharmaceuticals, eating gluten free is cheap!!  Seriously!  I'll pay extra at the grocery store any day to be able to be in control of my health instead of Big Pharma!

One of my favorite places to shop is our local Farmer's Market.  The local fresh produce there is delicious and naturally gluten free.  Yep, you know it.  Fresh produce is more expensive than many manufactured foods.  BUT - they are all natural with no additives or preservatives.  They contain zero MSG.  They are healthy for almost EVERYONE (unless you have a food allergy) not just those of us living gluten free.  And, yes, farmer's market produce is generally higher priced than your supermarket produce.  BUT - the produce is fresher and more often than not, tastes better, too!

No matter how careful we are, we all know that we can still accidentally come into contact with gluten.  It's everywhere so it is impossible to avoid cross contamination 100% of the time, unfortunately.  Yes, our food is more expensive.  Yes, I do believe there are some food manufacturers out there just to make a buck off of the gluten free fad and they don't take our needs seriously.  But I also believe that those people and businesses don't truly care about their customers or about doing gluten free right.  There are so many gluten free food producers out there who ARE doing it right because they care about their clientele and want to provide the best and safest possible products for them.  We have several here in the Midwest who are doing it right and taking every step necessary to ensure the safety and quality of their products.

Did you know that it costs more to produce gluten free products than regular products?  Because it takes more ingredients to make up for the lack of gluten in these products, the cost is higher to the manufacturer than it would be if they were using ingredients containing gluten.  Add to that safety standards it takes to manufacture gluten free products in a safe environment.  Gluten free food producers also have to comply with strict FDA requirements and pay for testing to ensure that their products are safe for our consumption.  Our disease puts us in a highly specialized market.  Since the cost to the manufacturer is higher, the price we pay at the supermarket is higher, as well. 

There are many gluten free products and foods that I use on a regular basis.  Many of them are from local producers, as I feel very strongly in supporting the local producers who work so hard to provide safe, delicious food for their customers.  Some local producers I buy from regularly are Chebe which is manufactured in Spirit Lake, Iowa, Mama Stoens from Owatonna, Minnesota and Better For You Bakery located in Jefferson, Iowa.  Each of these manufacturers produce gluten free baking mixes that are easy to prepare and tasty. 

Better For You Bakery French Bread mix

I've been dreading the writing of this part of my post.  Dreading it because it makes me sad every time I think about it.  Another amazing local gluten free food producer we have in Sioux City, Iowa is the 100% gluten free, nut free, fish free establishment, Gud n Free.  This restaurant was opened by owners Mike and Brenda Orlando not quite two years ago as a safe haven for those of us who have to eat gluten free.  This is the only restaurant in the area like this. 

Owner, Mike Orlando waits on customers this past Friday the 13th

I am so sad to say they will soon be closing their doors.  April 28, 2018 will be their last day in business.  While they've had many patrons come from many other states to enjoy the wonderful gluten free comfort food they provide, unfortunately, they did not receive enough support from the local Celiac and gluten free community.  This continues to boggle my mind.  Many people would prefer taking their chances on cross contamination at other restaurants that offer a few gluten free options on their otherwise gluten filled menus.  We've had such a gift in Gud n Free and it breaks my heart to see them go.  

Gud n Free Chicken Parm Sandwich with Steak Fries and their original marinara

Gud n Free's Bacon Chicken Ranch pizza with a side of cheese balls

Mike, Brenda and their employees, Eric and Susie, have all put their heart and soul into making this restaurant an oasis for us.  There are so many things I'm going to miss when the restaurant closes, including their famous cheese balls, pork loin sandwiches, house burger and their mouth watering marinara. 

Gud n Free Pork Loin sandwich and fries

Gud n Free World famous (no?  They should be!) cheeseballs

Gud n Free vegetarian Mushroom Falafel

But the biggest things I will miss when Gud n Free closes it's doors is having that safe place where I can go and NOTHING on the menu is off limits to me.  It's a place I can go where I don't have to whip out my laundry list of questions and concerns that I have to go through at every other restaurant that I ever eat at.  I don't have to worry if they are going to understand my needs, because they do - firsthand!  These four people have become very special to this blogger and I feel nothing but friendship and kinship for them.  If you are in the Sioux City area between now and April 28th - stop in to Gud n Free for an excellent meal!  Tell them you heard about their wonderful establishment through their friend, Siouxland Celiac.

This blogger with my mama at Gud n Free on April 13th

I TOLD you that I'm going to miss these cheeseballs!

Also - for those of you in the Sioux City, Iowa area, the April Siouxland Celiac Support Group meeting (no relation to this blogger) will be meeting this coming Wednesday night, April 18th from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm at Gud n Free.  Tessa, the Gordon Drive Hy-Vee Dietitian who normally facilitates our meetings was not able to plan anything for us in April, so Gud n Free's own, Susie Joens and your's truly are hosting the meeting this month.  We hope to see you there!

Celebration of Life

Today I attended the Celebration of Life for a woman whom I met only once.  Even though we met just one time, she has had a profound affect on my life.  Her name was Michelle Lara.

I met her through my parents at their home many years ago.  She and her family had become very special to my parents.  I know she is one of the many that their hearts came to love as if she were one of their own.  The first thing that comes to my mind about Michelle was when I first met her and her children, Lupe and Larissa.  My parents introduced us and I know she'd heard as much from them about me as I had her.  Her smile was beautiful and genuine and without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around me and enveloped me in a warm hug.  She was easy to talk to and we hit it off immediately.  Her love of life was infectious.  She struck me with not only her big, easy smile, but also her optimism about everything. 

Michelle's life was cut much too short by colon cancer, but in her 48 years, she lived a very full life.  She raised two beautiful children as a single mom, yet also worked on schooling and helping others.  Michelle was a person who wanted to help others so much that she became a nurse.  She was a surgical nurse for 14 years until she suffered a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident in 2009.  The accident happened less than two months after my dad died.  Even though we'd met only once, I felt like I knew her through my mom and dad.  They were so impressed by the loving, kind-hearted, beautiful soul she was.  And so she became very special to me, as well.  We all prayed so much for God's touch on Michelle.  Her faith in Him was strong, but her injuries were great.  She had to have part of her brain removed and she endured paralysis on the left side of her body.  The fact that she survived the accident at all was a miracle.  BUT...she didn't just survive.  Through determination and a "Never say never" attitude that wouldn't let her quit pushing through, she took her life back and she thrived through enormous adversity that would completely defeat most people.  She pushed through years of rehabilitation and dreamt of getting back to helping others.

At a Mercy Me (a Christian band) concert in Sioux City a year or so after her accident, Michelle won a scholarship that was offered that night to Grand Canyon University where she achieved her goals and obtained a Bachelors degree in Nursing and a Master's degree in Nursing Education.  She had recently almost finished her Doctorate in Nursing Education. 

This is a woman who seemed to have everything going against her.  Time and time again today, people who spoke about Michelle talked about how she never complained through all of the hard times.  Yes, she would get frustrated and discouraged at times, but she maintained her optimism and kept that big, beautiful smile on her face and always pushed on, advocating for others and for herself.

Yes, this is a blog about Celiac Disease written by someone living with Celiac Disease.  So, what does this post have to do with Celiac Disease and Celiac Awareness?  Absolutely nothing.  And - absolutely everything.  I started this blog in 2014 after my diagnosis because I want to help others.  I want to advocate for them and for myself.  There have been many times I have gotten discouraged and felt like I have nothing to give.  Am I really helping anyone?  Are the things I want to accomplish really obtainable?  Can I do it?  Do I have what it takes?  So many times I have answered, "No".  I have allowed my insecurities and fear of failure to stop me from moving forward.  Then today as we celebrated the remarkable life lived by this strong, beautiful, loving and amazing woman named Michelle Lara, it dawned on me that anything can be accomplished when we don't give up.  I know that this isn't a new thought, but it is something that can be easier said than done.  We can succeed.  When we don't let our circumstances, obstacles and fears stand in our way.  Michelle squeezed the most out of every moment of her life.  She never quit growing, learning, loving, advocating and taking care of others.  If Michelle can do all of the things she did - and she did it by never quitting, by never saying, "I can't do it" - if she can do the remarkable things she did and accomplish all that she accomplished - we all can.  Michelle's legacy is not only her beautiful children and family, but every person's life that she touched and inspired.  Being reminded again today of all that she was able to do reminded me that I can accomplish the goals I've set for myself by believing in myself, pushing through the obstacles and never saying never.  I can do more with this blog.  I can write my book.  I can successfully advocate for myself and others.  And I am going to continue to do this for as long as the good Lord gives me breath to do so.

Crockpot Jambalaya

Recently a friend from work brought something for lunch that smelled divine!  When she told me that it was crockpot jambalaya and gave me the recipe, I got really excited because it was all gluten free!  The next day my excitement grew because Diane brought a bowl of her jambalaya for me!!!  My work friends get me!  Diane gave me permission to share her flavorful recipe with my followers, so here it is.

Diane's easy crockpot jambalaya

Ingredients:

1 whole sweet yellow onion, sliced

2 stalks of celery, chopped

1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

28 oz (2 cans) stewed tomatoes with juice

14 oz Andouille Sausage (or another ring sausage), cut

1/2 tsp Thyme

Tabasco (to taste - or your favorite hot sauce)

12 oz package frozen cooked shrimp

Brown rice (I used a Quinoa & brown rice package)

*Don't forget to make sure that all of your prepackaged, processed ingredients are gluten free.  I look at the ingredients on the package even if the label says it's gluten free because I like to know exactly what is in the food I'm making.*

Place all ingredients other than the shrimp and rice in a 5 quart crockpot on low and stir together.  I added 3 shakes of the Tabasco.  How much you add depends on how spicy you like it.  

Cover and leave cooking for at least 4 hours.  Stir periodically to keep from sticking.  Prepare rice (or quinoa & rice mix) according to the package.  10 minutes before serving, stir in the shrimp to the mixture in the crockpot.  I added mine while still frozen and it cooked beautifully.  When the rice is finished, plate (or bowl) up and top with the crockpot mixture.  More Tabasco can be added if desired.

I love the simplicity as well as the variety of flavors that can all be tasted in this easy meal.  My husband is always a bit wary of new recipes that I make, but he LOVED this!  One bowl wasn't enough.  So, happy cooking and enjoy!  This is a meal that I will make again and again and again!  Thank you again to my friend and co-worker, Diane Worley for this delectable recipe!

And don't forget to check out my fundraiser for charity: water  You can learn more about this organization here.  And you can donate here.

Don't Breathe on Me - You're Sick!

This is me today.  I've been sick since Wednesday.  It's my fault, really.  I got cocky.  My husband had bronchitis a few weeks ago and several of the ladies I work with have had various illnesses over the past few weeks.  Just Tuesday I was saying that I felt pretty fortunate that I hadn't caught any of the yuck that's been going around.  Yep, too cocky!  I should have known better.  Wednesday morning I woke up feeling like crap.  I went to work anyway, but called in Thursday and Friday.  When you live with autoimmune diseases, your immune system is obviously compromised.  So you learn to take extra precautions.

You may laugh, but that picture of The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper is not far off from the truth!  I know there is a huge debate out there about whether people should get the flu shot or not, so I may not be popular when I state that I DO get the flu shot each year.  I am living with hypothyroidism and Celiac Disease.  My immune system is very compromised.  Chronic fatigue and illness are not strangers to me, unfortunately.  As much as I wish they'd go away and I take precautions to stave them off as much as possible, I still get sick.  I take my probiotic and extra vitamin supplements because I am deficient due to my damaged gut.  I try to stay away from sick people as much as possible, though I'd pretty much have to live in an airtight plastic bubble to truly be able to accomplish that.  My dear husband even slept in the living room when he was the sickest and most contagious with bronchitis.  Although, in large part due to the fact that he couldn't breathe when he was laying down, but he also was very aware of the fact that I could easily catch it from him.

Recently I've been very careful to make sure that I am getting plenty of sleep at night, plenty of fluids during the day, taking my probiotics and vitamin supplements and everything I can think of to try to stay healthy - or a chronically ill person's version of healthy anyway.  But, sometimes, no matter how careful you are and how many precautions you take, it is just going to happen.  You are going to get sick.  That is the thing about living with autoimmune diseases.  You are extra susceptible to everything you come into contact with.  Sometimes, no matter that you've done everything right and everything you can to prevent it, you are still going to get sick.  My illness this week?  A simple, every day, common cold.  Yup!  A little, itty-bitty thing like the common cold has done me in for the past several days.  I have spent the majority of time since I got home from work Wednesday night in bed, sleeping.  Yet, even today, I still feel thoroughly exhausted.  I hadn't showered (EWWWWW) since Tuesday morning - I haven't had the energy to be able to do it.  I finally HAD to do it today!!  While the steam from the hot shower opened my sinuses and the hot water pelting my skin helped ease my body aches, just taking a 5 minute shower completely wiped me out.  I took the shower 2 hours ago and still feel like I need a nap.  It is taking everything in me to sit down and write this blog post.  I began writing it 45 minutes ago and have had to stop many times to try to remember what it was I was going to write.  

When I began writing this blog, I was determined that I would be honest and open with my readers.  That means even when I am feeling crappy.  We all go through times like this and we all go through feeling isolated because of our illnesses.  I share this today not to have people pity me or to garner attention.  I abhor this kind of attention.  I am writing this today so that you know you are NOT alone!  It sucks.  A simple illness that someone without an autoimmune disease may take only a couple of days to get over can take us more than twice as long.  Even when we begin to feel better, our bodies seem to still take forever to fully recover from the last illness and then we're catching something else.  It can feel never-ending at times.  That is frustrating to no end.  And it is difficult for people who don't live with a chronic illness to understand what we are going through or why it takes us so much longer to heal from the same illness that they got over in 24 hours.  We ask for their understanding, patience and compassion toward us.  We need to also exercise patience and understanding with them when they don't get it.  They don't live with what we live with, so they have no way to truly know what we are going through.  We need to patiently educate them as to what we are dealing with.  Don't beat them over the head with information or even expect that they will understand immediately.  Thank them for caring when they ask questions and answer their questions honestly.  When they offer a platitude such as, "Feel better soon." because they don't realize that you go through most of your life feeling like crap, don't scoff at them.  They are being genuine in their limited understanding and knowledge of chronic illness.  Again, let them know you appreciate that they care about you and what you are going through.  It is hard enough finding people who will try to understand and who will be supportive of what we are going through.  We do NOT want to alienate those who are making that attempt even though they may say the wrong thing.  Remember, they are trying.  That is huge.  And that opens the door to being able to educate them, kindly, not treating them as if they don't know anything.  I didn't know anything about Celiac Disease before I was diagnosed.  Not a single thing.  I would have said something ignorant, though it wouldn't have been intended to be.  If we want others to be kind, compassionate and understanding with us, we have to be the same toward them.  We aren't the only ones who get frustrated with the limitations our illnesses put on us.  Those who love and care about us get frustrated, too.  Because they want to spend time with us.  Because they hate seeing us sick.  Because they wish we could do the things we used to be able to do.  

Whatever chronic illness you are living with, you are not alone.  There are many others of us out there who understand and are walking a similar path.  I feel fortunate to have a really strong support system.  And, I feel like living with hypothyroidism and Celiac Disease has made me more compassionate and understanding toward others with chronic illness and just to other people in general.  I hope it has, anyway.  No matter what path we are on in this life, we all want, need and deserve kindness, compassion, understanding and support.

For more information about Celiac Disease visit https://www.beyondceliac.org

To donate my birthday or YOUR birthday to Charity Water visit https://www.charitywater.org

charity: water

A little disclaimer right from the start, this blog post has nothing to do with Celiac Disease.  Instead I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to an organization that I learned about last September called, charity: water.  

Can you imaging giving this "drinking" water to your child?  Would you drink it yourself?  Would you even give it to your pets?  Clean water is something that we take for granted Every. Single. Day.  We spend millions of dollars each year to buy ourselves the best water we can get via water softeners, special sink faucet attachments, purifying water pitchers and bottled water.  To have clean, drinkable water that won't make us sick is a basic human necessity.  Yet for countless men, women and children around the world, the ONLY drinking water they have is filthy, polluted, insect infested and disease ridden.

photo from charity: water's website https://www.charitywater.org/

Pastor Edgar from New Hope Church in Moville, Iowa brought us his message, "To Infinity and Beyond: Giving is Good" yesterday.  In September, he shared with us a video for charity: water that touched my heart so deeply. In fact, I remember that I had a Starbucks specialty coffee drink with me that I ended up not being able to finish and had to throw out because it tasted sour to me after watching the video and seeing so many beautiful little children and their families who were drinking filthy water because this is the only water available to them and here I was with my specialty coffee. These people were contracting diseases, having tumors grow in their bodies and dying simply because the water they have to drink is so filthy and not fit for consumption.  The founder, Scott Harrison, seen in this video, not only explained about charity: water and how it came about, but told the stories of these amazing children here in this land of plenty we live in, who were fundraising for charity: water by donating their birthdays and asking others to do the same. I knew right then and there that I wanted to do this. 

Three months from today, I will be turning 50 (April 29th).  I can't think of any better way to celebrate half a century on this Earth than by giving back and helping others by donating my birthday to charity: water.  I also decided to give up my specialty coffees because of the thought of how much that money would be able to do toward bringing clean water to those who need it. I usually end up with a specialty coffee drink about once per week. I am saving the money from that to add to my donation for my birthday. By my birthday, I will have saved around $200 just from giving up one of my favorite indulgences each week since September when this organization first came to my attention.  Between now and April 29th I will be including the link at the end of each blog where you can donate to charity: water.  I am doing this because I'm going to ask anyone reading this to 1 - watch this video all the way through and 2 - even if you can't donate my birthday, will you donate yours? 

I am starting a fundraising campaign through charity: water for charity: water because this is a cause I feel so incredibly strongly about. Clean drinking water is something we take for granted here. We don't give it a second thought.  Since first learning about charity: water last Fall, it has stayed with me - I can't forget about it. This organization actually uses 100% of ALL donations to bring clean water to areas where it is so desperately needed. Watch the video, it explains what they do and how they take care of their overhead costs separately from the donations made.  I'm not posting this to say, "hey, look at me - I'm doing something great for someone else." I'm sharing this post because I believe that once you watch the videos and check out charity: water for yourself, you will want to give, too.  I want to bring this organization and the wonderful work they do to the attention of as many people as possible. In this world we are met daily with a barrage of hatred and violence via the news, television shows, social media, print media, video games, movies and music.  Even in the way we speak to each other, not respecting differing opinions, pushing our agenda so much that we fight to talk over the "other guy" to be sure our message is heard over theirs.  We've too often forgotten to do simple acts of kindness and treat others with respect and compassion, putting another's needs before our own.  By giving to charity: water and encouraging others to do the same we can turn social media into a tool to help others around the world. We can set the example for the next generation. Will you join with me in this? #charitywater 

To learn more about charity: water, click here

Stressful Ending to a Bumpy Beginning

Four years ago today I finally got the testing that confirmed that I have Celiac Disease.  Of course, I went through all different, warring kinds of emotions with that diagnosis: relief, confusion, anxiety, apprehension, and I was very, very overwhelmed.  After months of doing my own research and learning many things the hard way, several dear friends suggested that I start this blog to help others by sharing my own experiences.

I love writing.  Always have.  And helping people is something else that has always been exceedingly important to me.  I figured that writing a blog would be a piece of cake (gluten free, of course 😉)  Let me tell you that it is more work than one would think.  I had these lofty dreams of writing a new blog post once per week.  Then it became more like once per month.  As life became busier and more stressful I haven't had the time that I've wanted to be able to keep up with this blog.  I have felt like I've let my readers down by not posting as often as I should.  While expressing this to a friend of mine in the Celiac community not long ago, she advised that I be honest with everyone and just write what has been going on recently.  So, this is that post.

No excuses.  I hate excuses and I've used enough of them through different times in my life.  This is not that!  This is just to give you an idea of what my life has been like the past few months.

Like many Celiacs, stress is a major trigger for many of my Celiac symptoms.  No matter how hard I try to keep the stress away and fight the symptoms, they seem to hit anyway.  My blog is something that I write to help others, as already stated.  It is not my job.  I do not get paid for writing my blog.  Monetary gain is not why I write.  Having said that, I do have a full-time job that, of late, has become much more than I ever bargained for.  Not just for me, though.  The company I work for is going through some major changes that we have been working toward for over a year and a half now.  Being in a leadership position in my department has put me also in a leadership position in learning, testing and training for the big changes in store for our company.  This has stretched me in so many ways that I never realized that I could even stretch!  There have been many times, especially in the past few months, when I have felt stretched past the breaking point.  I am grateful for the trust my boss has in me to put these added responsibilities on my shoulders, but there have been moments when I most definitely did NOT feel up to the task.  As are many others who are working on these changes in the company, I have been working a lot of extra hours.  Between the extra hours and stress, I haven't been sleeping well for many months.  You know where I'm going with this, right?  Yep, I've been sick more often recently and many of my other Celiac symptoms have been plaguing me, as well.  My concentration has been off.  It's been difficult to focus.  I've come close to anxiety attacks many times over the past few months, though only ended up in a full-fledged panic attack twice.  Both times at work.  Complete meltdown!  Seriously!  Not proud of it - at all!  Here's where I send a HUGE SHOUT OUT to my co-workers who have been there for me and with me through all of this and even helped bring me down from my anxiety attacks!  Also to my boss, who has believed in me and been patient and supportive in everything I've been doing.  They have all been so understanding and helpful through my health issues, my meltdowns and just all around stepping up and working together to help us all get through this together.  As stressful as everything has been recently, I feel so blessed to work among this amazing bunch of strong, beautiful women.

My G'ma Viola on the left with her 86 year old sister, Aunt Jean on the right.

As 2017 drew to an end, sadly we said goodbye to my dear Aunt Jean, my grandma's "baby" sister.  While not entirely unexpected, it was still a hard way to end the year.  My mom and I were the ones to break the news to my 95 year old grandma, who lives in a nearby nursing home that her beloved little sister and best friend (85 years old) had just passed.  Aunt Jean had Alzheimer's and my grandma has dementia.  We weren't sure if G'ma would retain the information that Aunt Jean had died, so we waited until the night before Jean's funeral.  Mom and I had planned ahead for this.  G'ma is very frail and confined to a wheelchair.  She is a fall risk, so we haven't taken her out of the nursing home since she became confined to the wheelchair.  We've been too afraid of accidentally hurting her in transport.  We KNEW that we had to make sure she made it to her sister's funeral to say goodbye.  The nursing home staff was wonderful and so helpful.  My husband, Dave, took the day off from work, too, and drove us three to and from the funeral and didn't hurry us away when we were visiting with family after the funeral.  My brother and sister-in-law met us there and were absolutely fantastic with G'ma!  They pretty much took over getting her in and out of the car and caring for her needs while we were there.  My sister-in-law has experience with working with the elderly so she knew exactly what to do and how to care for her.  While G'ma was saddened by the loss of her sister, she loved getting to see and visit with so many family members.  I'm so grateful we were able to take her.

The beginning of 2018 has definitely been a bumpy start, as I've dealt with a couple of illnesses.  This weekend I've been dealing with sinus infection and an abscessed tooth.  NOT fun!!  Here is where I have to admit that I have not been faithful about going to the dentist throughout my adult life.  I know better and should have been going regularly, but I haven't.  Today I had no choice.  That awful tooth was causing too much pain and discomfort.  Thankfully, I was able to get in to see a dentist today!  And, though there is a lot of infection and I will have to have a tooth extraction, I was amazed that the news at the dentist wasn't worse!  In fact, the hygienist said that my gums are in pretty good shape for someone who hasn't been to a dentist for as long as me.  She was surprised!  I'll have to get some work done, but nothing that wasn't expected.  I'm running on amoxicillin and ibuprofen for now.  So, while 2018 is off to a bumpy start, I am looking at this as a year of changes for me.  Positive changes.  It's a chance for me to become a healthier version of myself by taking my health into my own hands and doing what I need to in order to become and stay healthy.  That means continuing to heal my gut, get better sleep at night, work at keeping my stress levels manageable.  I'm learning that the best way for me to keep my stress levels manageable is to get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, eat healthy and keep my prayer life active.  Faith is a HUGE part of who I am.  It is one of the most important things in my life and lately it has taken a back seat to everything else.  Spending time in prayer and reading my Bible, listening to uplifting music at work has all helped bring things back in to perspective and has helped me to re-prioritize my life.

What helps you find your center?  How are you able to cope with the stresses and pressures that come your way?  How do you keep things manageable?

I'm not guaranteeing that I will be better at writing more blog posts, though I do hope to do so.  I promise that I will always be upfront with you and share what I am going through in hopes that I can help in some small way make this Celiac journey we are on together a little brighter just knowing that you're not in this alone.