So it's been like, years since I've written something here. So let me summarize a bit of what has happened.
Our family has had many changes in the past few years, we've moved to a new state, a new job, and a new way of life.
Little E. was having trouble with her digestive system for a few months starting, Nov 2012ish. What kind of problems? Constipation, the serious toddler kind. Poor little thing would sit on the potty and cry and cry, and not go for days. We had been seeing her doctor on and off trying to find what could be causing it, we tried cutting dairy, feeding prunes (which she loves by the way) and it did not get any better. March 2013ish, we've had enough and the doctor decides that because of this problem, and her low weight gain and small stature, and a family history (ME) of Celiac Disease, to have her tested.
~~~~~~~~~~Time Travel to the Past~~~~~~~~~~~
Back in July 2012 I had little E. (18 months old) tested for Celiac shortly after I began to give her gold fish, crackers, gluten ETC. I did not want her to have to go through life like I did, eating all these wonderfully delicious gluten-ated foods (garlic bread, cookies, pasta, pizza....mmm i'm hungry now) and then have to turn around and take them all away. Have you ever tried to take something away from a toddler that they really enjoy, for a reason hard for them to understand? Not a pretty Picture. Anyway, the blood tests came back negative and so we continued to allow her to eat as much gold fish and mac n' cheese as her little heart contended. (within reason, this little girl could probably have downed an entire box of mac n' cheese if we could have let her.)
~~~~~~~~~~~Back to the future.~~~~~~~~~~
The results from her 2nd round of Celiac testing came back and buh-bam, they came back positive. So we were reffered to MUSC Children's Hospital, in Charleston ( South Carolina, for those who want to jump all the way to West Virgina) Her first visit there, she had another blood test done, as well as a few others to see if she had any other dietary afflictions. They all came back negative (thank goodness), except for the Celiac Blood panel, which was elevated. What a wonderful staff we had there. She was scheduled for an endoscopy to see what damage had been, if any, to her small intestine. The staff met her with princess toys and Disney movies, as well as her own special pink breathing mask. The procedure went well and I was allowed to go back with her until she was asleep, and I was right there when she awoke. Fast forward a few days and we get called back, biopsy was negative. CUE serious frustration. At the time I was going through my head how can a postive blood test, 2 for that matter, be present and have a negative biopsy?? What did I do, I did what any other American would have done, gone onto GOOGLE! The results I found were making sense, she most likely has Silent Celiac (or latent) which meant she had it, but was currently not experiencing any symptoms. On top of that a good childhood friend contacted me and told me she was currently going through PA school and that week they were learning about testing for Celiac Disease, (answer to prayers or what). She told me that the blood tests are becoming more and more reliable than the biopsies (which require damage and samples taken from just the right area.)
We put little E. on a gluten free diet, and a month later she began responding well to the diet change and having normal BM again (hurray) We then finally had follow up with her doctor at MUSC who after hearing how she responded to the Gluten free diet, as well her the blood tests, and my history, agreed that yes she indeed could be labelled as one with Celiac Disease.
So long story short (or not so short) We now have 2 silly-yaks in the house. Poor Tom is now having to deal with getting rid of most of the gluten snacks, (not all because Tom needs to snack too.) Little E. is taking as well as any toddler being told no she can't have cookie, it will make your tummy sick. Kicking and screaming, and not understanding. She's making progress and I'm holding my breathe, until the time comes when she will understand why, or just says yes, and move on.
So let the chronicles of how to handle a Gluten Free toddler begin.
~~~~~~Coming Soon~~~~~~~~~~
A gluten free trip to the Place Where Dreams Come True........DISNEY WORLD. (as we all know Disney Land is the happiest place on earth.) Pictures and reviews both of my opinion, and the little ones.
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