So Many Changes!

When I was diagnosed just a few days ago, I knew my life was about to change drastically. I envisioned immediate relief from this constant pain I experience almost daily and I figured it would be easy. I was so wrong!

I never imagined there would be gluten in so many things like mustard, canned beans, lunch meat, chapstick, shampoo, nail polish and so much more. I also did not realize that I would end up calling tons and tons of manufacturers to question them about their products since so many are not labeled for easy checking. Nor did I imagine that I would have to get rid of about 75% of the food we had in the house, buy new pots, pans, cooking utensils and even new appliances.

I imagined there was a huge variety of gluten free foods and that was all I had to change. I didn't think that it would be all that different. My grocery store has only a few gluten free items spread thinly throughout the store. Since I am still sick, I am unable to travel very far to get the things to restock our home. Thankfully my husband and mother have been helping me out to grab the items that are too far for me to go to get. They've been wonderful.

There have been so many changes since becoming diagnosed that I every so often I feel very overwhelmed. Something as simple as taking my son out to eat on his birthday has become scary to me. Sure there are a handful of restaurants that have gluten free items, but, I am completely terrified of cross-contamination in the kitchen there. Also the thought of having to make my son his birthday cake and make cupcakes for his class has becoming so daunting. How on earth am I to figure out new recipes with just a couple of days until his birthday? But then I take a deep breath and realize that it will all work out and compared to the many, many benefits? These little worries are nothing.