I am a Celiac

I can say that and begin to finally accept it, simply because, ya gotta admit, it sounds like something goofy that I would say when I'm just goofing around. Only it isn't goofy and I'm not goofing around.

Celiac disease isn't a diagnosis that is considered to be horrific, and it is usually controllable through extreme vigilance in anything and everything a person ingests. Here's the problem I see with it: so many people are being flippantly diagnosed that the disease (or syndrome, properly) has taken on an almost cavalier type of dismissal. I am guilty of being a naysayer. My mom was suddenly diagnosed this past spring and, while it did seem to make sense because of the painful esophagus problems she has had for years, it did NOT make sense to me to be tested as she kept insisting. My mom learned more about Celiac and went to support groups and went gluten free. Her doctors and new support buddies told her Celiac is genetic and that her kids should be tested as should their children. I scoffed. I read a little, considered it, but put it all off. I didn't have stomach problems after all, how could I possibly have Celiac? Mom told me, and I read, about people that have no outward symptoms yet Celiac was silently doing damage to the intestines and/or laying the groundwork for cancers to form. Still I didn't get tested, even after my own initial bloodwork showed I was ANA positive. (ANA testing is an initial marker, and somewhat debatable test, for autoimmune disease)

No stomach problems, I insisted!

Those pains I'd get that would leave me doubled over in pain and render me immobile?

"Oh, that's just gas," I'd say.

The awful and embarrassing flatulence (that's right, I'm using the correct word) and burping?

"That's just me being me trying to be both the woman and the man of the house," I'd say. Embarrassed.

The sores in my mouth? The cavities and messed up teeth?

"Not enough vitamins," "It was the asthma medicine that did it," I'd rationalize.

Vitamin D ridiculously low (it has been as low as 7, is now "up" to 17, normal is above 30) and severe anemia?

"Um, well..."

Aches and pains 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? 'Fever days' as I've called them with low fever for a day or as long as a week or 2? Inexplicable dizziness? Exhaustion that feels like hitting a a steel enforced concrete wall?

Okay, it was time to follow up and find out what was going on, even though I was still skeptical because I had a reason/excuse for every problem that had popped up. When I went in to get the results of the Celiac screen lab report, I'm not sure who was more surprised--my Dr. or me. Not only did I test positive for all antibodies, I scored out of the park on a couple..typical overachieving test-taker, I always was in school.

Stay tuned, more to come.

My thought for today

The barriers in place are mine, only I can push through them. As soon as I fully grasp that I can walk through I will realize it won't hurt; summoning the courage to believe that, is the block.

Just me and my thoughts...

"By trying to heal that hurt I am rejecting a large piece of me."--L.R. 1-2-11
Learning that rather than trying to heal the past I need to accept it as real, genuine, and the past; I can not change it or fix it, it happened and now it is time to leave it behind. The pain is as much a part of me as the joy; who I am now came from all that has been before.

Connections for Freedom from Domestic Violence

I am a domestic violence survivor, now a full time college student pursuing a law degree. Providence House helped make that a reality for me with the services given to myself and my children. Providence House Outreach http://providencehousenj.org provides support and counseling to clients. I was given the education and support to understand the effects and realities of domestic violence, and my children were also provided the same. The Outreach center staff presents domestic violence support groups, parenting groups, as well as individual counseling. Through Providence House and my own internet connection I was able to keep myself informed and safe; I want the same for other women on the same difficult journey.

Internet safety is being recognized as critical to protecting oneself in domestic violence situations(www.ncadv.org) Victims may use the internet to email friends/family where they are, discuss attempts to leave, research options for help; the abuser can find this information, putting the victim at higher risk of violence. Internet access opens doors-to domestic violence education (how to heal, handling the court process, getting help), and to a viable future through online schools or certificate programs. These modems also act as flash drives so important information can be saved on them.

If you or someone you know can help in any way possible, please do! You can donate via paypal, I will message you with the account. Thank you so much for any help you may be able to give.

GOALS ($5000)

• To provide at least 10 wireless no contract modems to Providence House

• To provide at least two prepaid service cardswith each modem

• Purchase 2 laptops (net books) for clients to use, at the Outreach Center.

PROJECT PLAN

• 10 modems $500
  

• Two 3-month prepaid internet service cards per modem $2400

• Two laptop computers to be kept at the Outreach Center $1100
  

• The remainder of the money would be there to purchase lost or damaged modems during the year.

Requirements to receive the modems would include:

• Client must sign an agreement that only the client and/or client's children will use the modem, and that modem use is temporary.

• client must sign an agreement acknowledging internet safety

• modem will be given with a list of helpful DV websites

• clients must participate in ongoing support groups at Providence House Outreach Center, to receive a modem (with staff approval)

Poetry

Words are swirling around my head, its been years since I've had the inspiration. That's not a good word to describe this-its not inspiration, its a need that I can not deny. Just by typing out the first one my head is already clearing just a bit. I'm also going to start posting some of my older poetry; if you like them, spread the word for me. I'd love to get published and am looking into it, for now publishing on here will suffice.

Untitled

Bleak and grey,
Black stone
Gone.

Forever lost souls
Reaching searching
Gone.

Light or life
Choice none
Gone.

Thoughts on a rainy day...

Part of the reason I think dh is still at hospital is because he is still insisting on his own altered reality, which involves lying of course, but definitely not telling the truth. I'm not completely sure the reason why he's still there, I haven't asked for details about his condition, I only know she said "until he's in better shape" or something like that. From some of the questions asked of me by the psychiatrist, I know he is still putting the blame anywhere but on himself. I don't want to hear that he's crying, or what he's lying about, or how much he's hurting--I've spent so many years only ever focusing on HIM. And yea, he'll forever blame me for this, I am sure. I have heard the "not loving enough, not affectionate enough" over and over. Oh, of course we are supposed to just melt into the arms of lying, cheating, scheming a**holes! The psychiatrist did try to say something about possibly dh doesn't have SA, but that it all relates back to the bipolar disorder. CR*POLLA!! I'm not saying its not related or is related, but the addiction is there, regardless of what started him in that direction. And if they do choose to not treat the addiction as separate (although that is something this place stresses, that they treat the illness AND the addiction, as separate entities), then as long as dh goes away, then they can all live in denial ignorantly ever after. I understand mental illness, I have seen it first hand and second hand, I feel bad for people with mental illness; however, those that do not get help or accept help placed before them over and over, I can not feel bad for anymore.
It was amazing this weekend to come to the realization that I am done. I absolutely can not take any more from him. Its been too mnay years. Its hard in a way, to say it, because its kind of against my nature. Or what I perceived as my nature, which was really co-dependent, wanting to fix and help everyone. I'm finally seeing that I can be caring, and generous, and loving, and giving--as long as I'm not hurting *me* or the kids in the process.
Honestly, I'd like to know how he's doing, I guess. No, scratch that; I'd only like to know how he's doing if I thought he was really being helped. There was a time, even as this all was unravelling, that it still hurt to think of him as hurting; then suddenly it was like I had an awakening, and realized he was playing me yet again. Maybe the fake suicide attempt? Ya think? lol. I don't miss him. What's really wierd is right now I don't even hate him. I just don't--anything. Healthy maybe? (just nod your head in agreement for me even if you don't feel it. ha ha) I haven't been able to do anything with his clothes, papers, messes..not from emotions, and not because of anger (well, not anymore...); they are just the things from this person that used to live here. I wonder if I 'll ever get to a place where I will feel at least the slightest bit of, well, anything towards him? Maybe yes, maybe no, only time will tell. He has hurt us so deeply, in so many ways, it will take a long time for these wounds to heal. And my wound has been gaping and open for so long that, as it first started healing, it actually hurt more. Now I'm beginning to feel the relief. It's slow but it's steady and I will do all I can within my power to make sure it does not re-open. I'm sure there are many wounds in my future, they are unavoidable and part of life; I want to FEEL everything! I think I can handle pain in such a different way than I used to. Its okay to feel it--its the only way to acknowledge that it's there and do something about it! Yes, I can feel pain and let it go; no longer do I have to retreat into myself, hurting and shamed. I know the better I get at that process, the more true joy and happiness and LOVE I'll be able to feel, too. That's what I want for my kids, I want them to know to LIVE and LAUGH and LOVE!