Good news and bad news............

If someone tells you they have good news and bad news, which do you want first? As i think back on times I have encountered this question, I have always wanted the good news first. Now I wonder why that is. I guess if you get good news, that puts you in a good mood. If you are in a good mood then bad news doesn't seem so bad. But think about it this way. If you the bad news first, you can be bummed for a few minutes, but when you get the good news it makes up for the bad news. Therefore you are in a great mood and the bad news is forgotten. If you get the bad first, nothing dampers the good. So which do you prefer to get first, the good or the bad? 

So my good news for the week is that my Celiac's test came back negative. I immediately bought chocolate chip cookies and had several. The bad news is they still don't know what is causing my iron deficiency anemia. I am not sure if that is terribly concerning news, because I have been dealing with this for several years. 

Other good news is that I am flying home for the holiday weekend.  I am at the airport as I speak........or type. To all my Georgia peaches...........see you soon!!

Thought of the day.......

Let's just be realistic. If I have this so called Celiac's disease and the only problem it is causing me is being anemic, is it really necessary to completely change my lifestyle to this gluten free stuff. Why can't I just continue to get iron transfusions when I need them. I'm doubting the cost of an iron transfusion (at least the part that insurance does not pay for) is more than I would spend buying all this organic food.

Thoughts, comments,concerns? Let me know.

The beginning of gluten free dining..........

I made my first trip to the natural food store to pick up some gluten free foods.  Here's a preview of how it is going so far. 

I decided to make spaghetti for dinner tonight. Not only did I use gluten free noodles and spaghetti sauce, but I also had red meat which is an iron boost. 

Gluten free spaghetti noodles $2.99

Gluten free spaghetti sauce $5.34

Gluten free cereal $4.11

Cardboard tasting snacks $2.99

Gluten free bread mix $4.92

What I learned today........this is going to be a tasteless yet expensive lifestyle change.  Actually I'm kidding, the spaghetti I made was pretty good.  I was a little overwhelmed by all the different gluten free things that were available. I'm trying to take this one meal at a time.   

A little iron goes a long way

This week has been filled with doctor's visits and needle sticks.  The hematology appointment yesterday went as well as could be expected.  He supported my PCP in the need for an immediate iron transfusion, which was set up for today.  He seemed more interested in finding out why my iron levels kept depleting than my previous hematologist. His first guess is Celiac's disease. Basically it is an autoimmune disease that is caused from a wheat allergy. The body has a toxic reaction to wheat-products which causes a malfunction of the small intestine. This malfunction prevents the small intestine from absorbing nutrients from food, leading to malnutrition (anemia).  I was tested for it yesterday, but will not have the results until next Monday. 

In the mean time I am supposed to follow a gluten free diet. This means no wheat, rye, barley or malt in any form.  After mom and I went through my pantry this morning, it seems that I can't have anything from my normal diet other than fresh veggies and fruit.  The more I look into food that I can not have the more I am frustrated. Just a few of my favorite foods that I can no longer have include: lasanga, pizza, rice krispies, Nestle hot chocolate, Rice-a-Roni chicken flavor rice, chocolate chip cookies, Campbell's chicken noodle soup.........and the list goes on.  On the positive side, Kroger and a lot of natural food stores have a lot of gluten free foods you can buy including pasta, crackers and cookies. Hopefully they will not taste like cardboard. 

After much debate with my insurance company, I had my iron transfusion today. The Zangmeister Center was very nice.  I had my very on "reclin-o-cubical" (definition - individaul area for those who are receiving treatment which includes a recliner, blood pressure machine, trash can, magazines and IV. See picture.)

Surprisingly, it only took 2 sticks to find a good vein for the transfusion. 

After the IV was placed they give you a test dose of the iron to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction to it. Then they give you a mixture of dexamethasone and Benadryl. That may have been the worst part. The dose of Benadryl  was so much so quickly that it made me very lightheaded and loopy. After all of that was in, they hung the big bag of iron and attached it to the IV. Pictured below. 

The next three hours were filled with intermittent napping, returning emails, sudoku, and one potty visit.  The whole time looking like this.........

So now you are updated and know what is going on. If anyone has any knowledge of good gluten free foods please pass that along. Thanks to Elizabeth for telling me about the great nut thin crackers. 

Physically Distraught

It's been a while since I have updated you guys on the "goings on" here in Columbus. Not much has been happening up here until this week.  I am starting to meet more and more people, which is comforting. I was invited to a cookout at one of my pastor's houses. I met a lot of great Christian people.  I am really enjoying the church I am attending.  They have a great worship service and the messages seem to hit home every week. 

 

I am still in physical therapy for my bilateral patellar tendinitis (knee pain). I get to do stretching and exercise then they hook me up to a machine that is supposed to pump a steroid and anti-inflammatory into the tendons.  It looks something like this.

 

Unfortunately I have stumbled upon some additional medical issues that I am having taken care of (hopefully) on Monday. Most of you know my medical history, specifically with my blood and iron levels.  My levels have plummeted again so I have to go get a "refill." I am seeing a hematologist at the Zangmeister Center on Monday. Mom is flying up to go with me.  Just keep me in your prayers. I will keep you all updated.