The Hardest Part of Celiac Disease Is….
Disclaimer: I am not a licensed medical doctor or counselor. All of my posts are from my own personal experiences in the areas of my own health and wellness. My posts are meant to inspire you in your health journey, but do not qualify for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Please consult a licensed medical professional or counselor. I cannot be personally held responsible for any advice you take from my blog postings and implement into your life without consulting a medical professional first.
Relationships with people mean EVERYTHING to me. This need to know where I stand with people goes back to childhood days, and I would say it is my biggest flaw. To most people I am sure I give off this confident, independent, don’t care what you think of me persona. Truth is though I care a great deal about what people think.
When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease I learned pretty quick that it was a lifestyle that was not going to affect just me in the long run. I learned that it was going to affect my family and friends at every get together. It would affect my intimate relationships. It would affect my children, if I ever choose to have them, with their upbringing and possibility of having this disease. It was going to affect so much and I remember feeling overwhelmed, and honestly I still do at times feel overwhelmed with the new reality that is life. Even though I have been diagnosed and living this way for almost six years, it never gets any easier. I never wanted this life, and I know the people in my life never did as well. The biggest difference between me and the people in my world is they can choose not to be in my life.
Now, I know what you are going to think and say, “it is better not to have people like this in your world anyways?” Well, that is very true but it isn’t that simple.
I will never forget something my mom told me early in my diagnosis. We were sitting in Starbucks and it was around a month after my diagnosis, and I was complaining about how hard it all was.
With any major life change there is a “grieving process.” I knew I was going through it but when my mom said she was as well a light bulb went off. I realized in that moment that all the people in my life at that present time, and the people in the future were going to be affected by my diagnosis as well. Forever more, people who decided to be in my world would have to worry. Would have to consider me and my dietary needs when making plans. Would have that pressure and possibility of making me sick with their food preparation. The biggest difference between our grieving processes is that I grieve with this life everyday, and the people in my life only grieve when I am around. I imagine this is exhausting because it is like everyday is as bad as Day 1 for me.
So for the people who choose to stand by my side everyday “THANK YOU!” Your love gives me the strength carry on, and get through the days when I don’t want to fight and I just want to be bitter/angry/sad. Thank You for always listening to me when I go on a “Celiac Rant,” or when I have a victim mentality and act like a baby about what life threw my way. I recognize that it is not easy for you to constantly offer support, and that you are just as affected by it as I am. Know that I love you immensely for everything you CHOOSE to do for me and for supporting me in this life. A house is only as strong as its foundation, and all of you are mine. So again THANK YOU for helping me stay strong in this fight.
Until next time,
