Dee,
Maybe if enough of us "petition" Santa for that, we'll get our wish.
Love,
Tex
Home for Christmas...
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Yes, your husband's grandmother sounds like a delightful lady. 
At least there are a couple of bright spots along with the rest.
Your husband sounds pretty darn "cool" too!! Must have gotten it from his Grandmother.
Love, Shirley
At least there are a couple of bright spots along with the rest. Your husband sounds pretty darn "cool" too!! Must have gotten it from his Grandmother.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
I think a GF PP get-together would be awesome! I wonder if regional ones would work. We made Christmas cookies last night. Stephen had found a mix that was free of pretty much any allergen, and he was so proud of himself, but then I looked on the box to see how to make them, and lo and behold, the directions included eggs and butter. How can they say it's egg and casein free, if you have to add it to make it work! 
I've added eggs back to my diet, but I am going nowhere near dairy for a long time. So I thought for a minute, and I used peanut butter and maple butter instead, and these cookies are amazing!!! I wish I could send you all one.
Of course, my MIL calls in the middle of cookie decorating, and Stephen told her everything they were free of, and ya know what she said (bet you can guess): "And taste-free, too?" I had already predicted exactly what she'd say, so I just laughed. It is almost funny because her comments are sooo predictable! I will try to keep up this attitude over the holidays!
Love,
Courtney
I've added eggs back to my diet, but I am going nowhere near dairy for a long time. So I thought for a minute, and I used peanut butter and maple butter instead, and these cookies are amazing!!! I wish I could send you all one.Of course, my MIL calls in the middle of cookie decorating, and Stephen told her everything they were free of, and ya know what she said (bet you can guess): "And taste-free, too?" I had already predicted exactly what she'd say, so I just laughed. It is almost funny because her comments are sooo predictable! I will try to keep up this attitude over the holidays!
Love,
Courtney
Hypothyroid 05/05
LC/CC 07/08
Celiac 07/08
LC/CC 07/08
Celiac 07/08
Hi Everyone-
Courtney, reading your post was like reading some of my own thoughts!! I don't have the MIL issues since I'm single, but I did have ex boyfriend mom issues 2 years ago. His whole family would get on my case about not eating. Man, that was irritating. Since it was usually dinners I always used the excuse of having just eaten before I left home. Doesn't always work when dinners are pre planned but what was I going to say- sorry I can't eat your crazy food or I'll be in your bathroom all night! Haha, I wish I would have gotten all these tests sooner!
Anyway, good luck to you this Christmas! It's great you have a caring and supportive husband who takes your health issues seriously. Hopefully, from now on, every year with the family will get easier.
My extended family doesn't know about my bad stomach- (that's what I call it). But my parents and immediate family does, but they don't really understand, I don't think. Same as you with my dad, always wanting to fix things, so I usually don't let on to him if I'm not feeling well. I've become a pro at hiding it. My mom, I'm not sure what she things- her famous quote to say to me has always been " I thought I had a bad stomach until I met you!" And it's probably true, she has minimal issues compared to me. She has had her gallbladder out though. She downplays everything I say about my health, I'm not mad at her for it because I just don't want to think she has a kid with health problems. I think that's part of the reason I never went to another GI sooner, she kept telling me it was what I was eating and that I have to be careful. And while that is true, I would have never have known what not to eat if I didn't get these tests done. And it probably never would get better if I didn't get proper medication. She's coming around though, I think she is happy to know I finally have a dr who is helping. I have very wonderful parents.
I don't think I've ever been depressed about this whole thing. I think I have had depressing days, and I've asked "why me" countless times but I wouldn't say depression is an issue. I've been too blessed in life to think this can be depressing. Things can always be worse. And now I have one more thing to be thankful for- finally finding a cause of my pain!
I like your idea Tex, it would be great to get together over the holidays with everyone from this group!
Courtney, reading your post was like reading some of my own thoughts!! I don't have the MIL issues since I'm single, but I did have ex boyfriend mom issues 2 years ago. His whole family would get on my case about not eating. Man, that was irritating. Since it was usually dinners I always used the excuse of having just eaten before I left home. Doesn't always work when dinners are pre planned but what was I going to say- sorry I can't eat your crazy food or I'll be in your bathroom all night! Haha, I wish I would have gotten all these tests sooner!
Anyway, good luck to you this Christmas! It's great you have a caring and supportive husband who takes your health issues seriously. Hopefully, from now on, every year with the family will get easier.
My extended family doesn't know about my bad stomach- (that's what I call it). But my parents and immediate family does, but they don't really understand, I don't think. Same as you with my dad, always wanting to fix things, so I usually don't let on to him if I'm not feeling well. I've become a pro at hiding it. My mom, I'm not sure what she things- her famous quote to say to me has always been " I thought I had a bad stomach until I met you!" And it's probably true, she has minimal issues compared to me. She has had her gallbladder out though. She downplays everything I say about my health, I'm not mad at her for it because I just don't want to think she has a kid with health problems. I think that's part of the reason I never went to another GI sooner, she kept telling me it was what I was eating and that I have to be careful. And while that is true, I would have never have known what not to eat if I didn't get these tests done. And it probably never would get better if I didn't get proper medication. She's coming around though, I think she is happy to know I finally have a dr who is helping. I have very wonderful parents.
I don't think I've ever been depressed about this whole thing. I think I have had depressing days, and I've asked "why me" countless times but I wouldn't say depression is an issue. I've been too blessed in life to think this can be depressing. Things can always be worse. And now I have one more thing to be thankful for- finally finding a cause of my pain!
I like your idea Tex, it would be great to get together over the holidays with everyone from this group!
Courtney wrote:I think a GF PP get-together would be awesome! I wonder if regional ones would work.
It appears that we need to give some serious thought to how we might arrange that. The logistics will be pretty tricky, but as we all know, where there's a will, there's a way. We'll see what we can come up with.Mackenzie wrote:I like your idea Tex, it would be great to get together over the holidays with everyone from this group!
Courtney,
Your MIL is so predictable, that just knowing what she's going to say, should make her a lot easier to get along with.
There are egg and butter substitutes, but unfortunately, they don't do much to enhance the taste, of course, so that issue might need to be addressed with some additional seasonings. Don't tell your MIL, though. LOL.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Courtney i am so srry to hear that your family are very selfish...and only thinking of themselves at this lovely time of the year...Christmas is about caring and giving...not self self self...Now they could prepare you some lovely xmas dinner solely in relation to your diet...now that wouldnt even be a problem to do really!!...
because of their ignorance an lack of understanding you should not have to keep explaining yourself to them..neither your husband should have to keep repeating himself over and over..
If i were in your shoes i would be putting my foot down and making it extremely clear that if they wish me to come for dinner then a lot of effort would need to be put into some consideration for your meal. Even if that meant paying for the ingredients yourself....now im sure if this family was caring enough they should do this...to allow you to enjoy dinner as much as them..
I understand what your saying...in relation to their ignorance when you say to them i cant eat this and i cant eat that...cos i do that too..and if i dont get a reasonable response to make it good for me too then i will tell the family just to forget me coming for dinner. Now i know your thinking this is harsh but believe you me i got a lot more respect from them when i put my relatives straight. My words to them were...."look just take my word for it ok!! i aint gonna keep repeating myself" and they soon shut their cakehole...I found that they soon came around and now go outa their way to help me..
I apologise if you find this reply offensive in any way but i wish to reflect within my own experience...Pity you probably got them all a nice pressie cos you should have got them all abook on gf food and diet and a medical book on your condition for xmas..
Anyway courtney i hope things work out on the day and you do enjoy yourself but if not plan for the next invite...dont think your being harsh and if they get upset then tough..maybe this is what they need to recognise you are important too..
because of their ignorance an lack of understanding you should not have to keep explaining yourself to them..neither your husband should have to keep repeating himself over and over..
If i were in your shoes i would be putting my foot down and making it extremely clear that if they wish me to come for dinner then a lot of effort would need to be put into some consideration for your meal. Even if that meant paying for the ingredients yourself....now im sure if this family was caring enough they should do this...to allow you to enjoy dinner as much as them..
I understand what your saying...in relation to their ignorance when you say to them i cant eat this and i cant eat that...cos i do that too..and if i dont get a reasonable response to make it good for me too then i will tell the family just to forget me coming for dinner. Now i know your thinking this is harsh but believe you me i got a lot more respect from them when i put my relatives straight. My words to them were...."look just take my word for it ok!! i aint gonna keep repeating myself" and they soon shut their cakehole...I found that they soon came around and now go outa their way to help me..
I apologise if you find this reply offensive in any way but i wish to reflect within my own experience...Pity you probably got them all a nice pressie cos you should have got them all abook on gf food and diet and a medical book on your condition for xmas..
Anyway courtney i hope things work out on the day and you do enjoy yourself but if not plan for the next invite...dont think your being harsh and if they get upset then tough..maybe this is what they need to recognise you are important too..
Angy ;)
Thanks, Angy! It's not that they're intentionally being mean or hurtful, it's just that I think for the most part they really don't understand, and it's tiring to explain things over and over again. And I understand that they are frustrated, too, bc at this point there really is not much I can eat. So I get frustrated with them bc they don't understand that just bc something is "all natural" or "organic" or "healthy" that doesn't mean it's GF. And that just a speck of gluten is too much. And for me, it's not just gluten, but all the other things I'm reacting to right now. So we all end up a little frustrated with each other. There's really no intentional malice, but it's tough. My MIL (trying to be helpful, for once) told Stephen she was planning to have fresh fruit and spinach salad for me! Aack! I ate five grapes last night and was in the bathroom for an hour! There's no way I can eat that, but I don't want to discourage them all too much. They can't seem to believe that about all I can digest is white rice. 
And it would probably sound crazy to me, too, if I didn't have this.
Mackenzie, I have been there with the parent situation, believe me. My mom dealt with constipation for years bc of having hypothyroid, so I've heard the "I wish I had your problem" line. And I also have been very good at hiding this, so most people in the extended family don't know anything about it, not that I see them terribly often. Sometimes I want to give them all a detailed description of exactly what MC is like, but I'm not sure they'd believe it!
Love,
Courtney
And it would probably sound crazy to me, too, if I didn't have this.Mackenzie, I have been there with the parent situation, believe me. My mom dealt with constipation for years bc of having hypothyroid, so I've heard the "I wish I had your problem" line. And I also have been very good at hiding this, so most people in the extended family don't know anything about it, not that I see them terribly often. Sometimes I want to give them all a detailed description of exactly what MC is like, but I'm not sure they'd believe it!
Love,
Courtney
Hypothyroid 05/05
LC/CC 07/08
Celiac 07/08
LC/CC 07/08
Celiac 07/08
I totally understand the food issue courtney. I got the same problem in the sense that everyone thinks its always about gf food..but yes you are correct there are foods other than gf that affects the mc too. Im still having ongoing experiments with food and keeping a diary..and yes i still have reactions even to food i never had a reaction to before...with the mc. Its an ongoing nightmare huh!!
I had a relative ask me if i wanted some deep fried chips...and i said no ty they have gluten in them..next day we were in mcdonalds (cuppa) and i said ill get some fries...she said "you lied to me!!...i said huh!!.. she said...you told me you cant eat chips...i said yes but mcdonalds chips are gf...!!not all chips are gf...she just looked at me in shock...
Only thing i could suggest courtney is that you prepare your own meal either take it with you and heat it up or cook it when you get there...that way you will know whats best and safest to eat..doesnt matter really what every 1 else is eating provding you have a meal..
I had a relative ask me if i wanted some deep fried chips...and i said no ty they have gluten in them..next day we were in mcdonalds (cuppa) and i said ill get some fries...she said "you lied to me!!...i said huh!!.. she said...you told me you cant eat chips...i said yes but mcdonalds chips are gf...!!not all chips are gf...she just looked at me in shock...
Only thing i could suggest courtney is that you prepare your own meal either take it with you and heat it up or cook it when you get there...that way you will know whats best and safest to eat..doesnt matter really what every 1 else is eating provding you have a meal..
Angy ;)
Angy,
FWIW, after the new labeling law went into effect in this country, (on January 1, 2006), McDonalds finally admitted that their fries, (chips), are not really GF, and they also admitted that they contain dairy ingredients. I remember trying some of their fries two or three years ago, and getting sick afterwards, so I never tried them again. They don't contain a lot, and some celiacs can tolerate them, but they contain enough to make some of us sick. It's still controversial. See these articles, and judge for yourself:
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/art ... 1934.shtml
http://glutenfreeinsd.com/mcdonalds_controversy.html
Tex
FWIW, after the new labeling law went into effect in this country, (on January 1, 2006), McDonalds finally admitted that their fries, (chips), are not really GF, and they also admitted that they contain dairy ingredients. I remember trying some of their fries two or three years ago, and getting sick afterwards, so I never tried them again. They don't contain a lot, and some celiacs can tolerate them, but they contain enough to make some of us sick. It's still controversial. See these articles, and judge for yourself:
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/art ... 1934.shtml
http://glutenfreeinsd.com/mcdonalds_controversy.html
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Ah, that would be a lovely idea! But I dare you all to show up at my family's Christmas with books on the GF diet. (And are there any books on MC? I saw it mentioned once in a cutting-edge Celiac book, but that's all). I have a feeling that it would be a waste of money and effort, although perhaps I underestimate them. They would probably say something like, "Gee, Courtney, we really don't want to spend the next year reading about your bowels. We've all got our issues."--IOW, I think they care, maybe enough to read a cookbook, but probably not enough to find out what is actually going on--or they just don't realize how helpful that would be. And how great it would make me feel not to be treated like the family freak 
I talked to my mom for about a half hour this morning, and I wanted to scream when I got off the phone, just bc it is so frustrating to have to explain things over and over. I was like, look, I would bring everything with me if I could, but I am driving 14 hours and will have a full car anyway, and it will be Xmas day when I get there, so I don't know what stores will be open. It's not that she doesn't want help, but my parents are notoriously inefficient. One of the more nonromantic reasons I married Stephen was that if anything happened to me, I wanted him to be my next of kin, bc I knew he'd actually take care of things! (I'm sorry, I love my parents, and there are many wonderful things about them, but efficiency and practicality are not among them.)
And then she started in on the weather, bc, having lived in SC her whole life, if it snows a millimeter she thinks we will all immediately freeze to death if we step outside. I told her the roads are as good as they're gonna be til March, and we would be careful, but probably not careful enough for her, bc careful enough for her would be never going outside if it is windy, rainy, snowing, icy, or even too sunny. I am perhaps a terrible daughter.
However, I also talked to my little brother this morning, who is another bright spot as far as how he treats me, i.e., like I'm not any weirder than any other big sister. Whatever I eat is fine with him, and he eats GF without a murmur. And he's very matter-of-fact about any "diseases" I have--not overly concerned, not callous, just very nice and "How can I help you?" But he doesn't feel the need to tell me constantly that it breaks his heart that I'm sick, which is great, bc I don't need to worry about how the fact that I have a lovely autoimmune cocktail makes everyone "feel". Which is callous of me, I guess.
Ah, well, I only go for long visits at Christmas and in the summer, so surely I can survive! I'll try to check in and let you know how it's going!
Love and Merry Christmas,
Courtney
But I dare you all to show up at my family's Christmas with books on the GF diet. (And are there any books on MC? I saw it mentioned once in a cutting-edge Celiac book, but that's all). I have a feeling that it would be a waste of money and effort, although perhaps I underestimate them. They would probably say something like, "Gee, Courtney, we really don't want to spend the next year reading about your bowels. We've all got our issues."--IOW, I think they care, maybe enough to read a cookbook, but probably not enough to find out what is actually going on--or they just don't realize how helpful that would be. And how great it would make me feel not to be treated like the family freak I talked to my mom for about a half hour this morning, and I wanted to scream when I got off the phone, just bc it is so frustrating to have to explain things over and over. I was like, look, I would bring everything with me if I could, but I am driving 14 hours and will have a full car anyway, and it will be Xmas day when I get there, so I don't know what stores will be open. It's not that she doesn't want help, but my parents are notoriously inefficient. One of the more nonromantic reasons I married Stephen was that if anything happened to me, I wanted him to be my next of kin, bc I knew he'd actually take care of things! (I'm sorry, I love my parents, and there are many wonderful things about them, but efficiency and practicality are not among them.)
And then she started in on the weather, bc, having lived in SC her whole life, if it snows a millimeter she thinks we will all immediately freeze to death if we step outside. I told her the roads are as good as they're gonna be til March, and we would be careful, but probably not careful enough for her, bc careful enough for her would be never going outside if it is windy, rainy, snowing, icy, or even too sunny. I am perhaps a terrible daughter.
However, I also talked to my little brother this morning, who is another bright spot as far as how he treats me, i.e., like I'm not any weirder than any other big sister. Whatever I eat is fine with him, and he eats GF without a murmur. And he's very matter-of-fact about any "diseases" I have--not overly concerned, not callous, just very nice and "How can I help you?" But he doesn't feel the need to tell me constantly that it breaks his heart that I'm sick, which is great, bc I don't need to worry about how the fact that I have a lovely autoimmune cocktail makes everyone "feel". Which is callous of me, I guess.
Ah, well, I only go for long visits at Christmas and in the summer, so surely I can survive! I'll try to check in and let you know how it's going!
Love and Merry Christmas,
Courtney
Hypothyroid 05/05
LC/CC 07/08
Celiac 07/08
LC/CC 07/08
Celiac 07/08
Courtney,
I suspect you're right about the books, and no thanks, I wouldn't want to take that dare - they would probably crucify me. Remember, though, that the reason they say all those things is because they really do love you, and they just don't know how to deal with your issues, (or with their own concepts of those issues). Maybe they feel so helpless that they are hoping that they can somehow miraculously talk you into not being different.
Please do keep us updated. Someday you'll look back at this period of your life and smile at the "quaintness" of it all. Better times are definitely ahead, and occasionally, until those better times arrive, we have to live life one day at a time.
I hope you can truly enjoy Christmas and the holiday period with your family, despite all the "obstacles". Times such as this, challenge our mettle, but I have no doubt that you're up to the task.
Love,
Tex
I suspect you're right about the books, and no thanks, I wouldn't want to take that dare - they would probably crucify me.
Remember, though, that the reason they say all those things is because they really do love you, and they just don't know how to deal with your issues, (or with their own concepts of those issues). Maybe they feel so helpless that they are hoping that they can somehow miraculously talk you into not being different. Please do keep us updated. Someday you'll look back at this period of your life and smile at the "quaintness" of it all. Better times are definitely ahead, and occasionally, until those better times arrive, we have to live life one day at a time.
I hope you can truly enjoy Christmas and the holiday period with your family, despite all the "obstacles". Times such as this, challenge our mettle, but I have no doubt that you're up to the task.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.