A Long Anticipated Answer!

My blood work came back normal last week and I am neither lactose intolerant or celiac!! But there is still a chance that I am gluten intolerant meaning my body can only so much gluten before I become sick. Is this a possible answer? After almost 5 years of not feeling good and running numerous medical tests, yes, I believe it is!

Although most medical test are 95% right, there still leaves that mere 5% that could change things. With that in mind, we've decided for me to do a strict 2 week celiac diet. At first, I didn't think it would be such a big change in my diet until I realized how many foods have gluten, modified food starch, and natural flavoring (only to name a few name variations). Once that realization hit home, it was extremely hard both for me to eat, but also to watch others eat at the same time. There's a difference in feeding you and your spouse but when you a little child who watches you eat, that's a totally new ball game! It also doesn't help with the funnest month of the year with all the Christmas festivities and yummy!

Plus, my mom and Trent both agreed I won't have to do my 2 week lactose free diet until January! So I can enjoy all the yummy Christmas treats after this Friday!! Over the past week, I've been quite careful on what I've eaten and cooked separately for my family! Most dishes weren't too hard to separate or we just fed Chloe something different than me and Trent. My aunt Ann has also been a wonderful help to us in guiding us to specific foods and answering lots of questions! A big , special thanks to wonderful family and friends who support and love me every day and will always be there as I face this new adventure!!

Dr's appt

Yesterday, I lucked out and had the chance to get into a specialist here in Bountiful. I figured I was pretty lucky especially since you usually have to wait weeks to see one! My wonderful mother left work early and came to my appointment both as another set of ears and also to entertain Chloe! We weren't sure what to gain from this visit as we had lots of questions and unsure what route to take now.

As I sat talking to the P.A., I felt like I was getting somewhere even though the P.A. couldn't diagnosis me with anything. We figured that before I went in, but just wanted more help in what direction to take now. The  P.A. gave me lots of handouts to read and gave me a few options of what I wanted to do. He may not have been to diagnosis me quite yet, but definitely gave us a lots to think about!

Last night was a hard night for us both, I won't lie to ya. Diet and lifestyle changes are easy to talk about until it comes to the 'doing' part. I just hope and pray that Chloe and any other future children aren't affected by me and my diet. Trent is such an amazing husband and I couldn't ask for anyone better. I just pray that we'll be able to make it through the next 4 weeks without many tears or frustrations especially with it being the holiday season!

Not milk?

From my other blog, you've probably discovered that Trent and I hate making decisions especially when they make a huge difference in life. But we've also realized that my health is important and you can't always sit on the fence when it comes to food and health. So we decided for me to go on a lactose intolerant diet and see how I would feel overtime. Either I would avoid milk products (doesn't count cooked milk) or I would take a lactose intolerant pill with the dairy item.

Like many people say, you have to go off a certain food for more than just a few days. So in attempt to avoid dairy products, we figured I could give this a try...it wouldn't hurt, right? Well after a couple of weeks, we came to the conclusion that it might not be dairy products that sorely affects my stomach. At the store last week, we picked up a 1/2 gallon of skim milk for me to try (and for Trent) so I could experiment with a little milk. From what I can remember, I haven't had milk for a long time. 

I only had about a 1/2 cup of milk plus then we made a fruit smoothie with a little bit of milk, too. As I tried not to focus on the experiment and play with Chloe, I never really experienced much nausea or strong heartburn like I would with no milk. Funny, uh? So two days later, I gave milk a second shot and pretty much felt the same way. My stomach reacts to everything I eat, just some foods have a stronger reaction than others. Lately, I've been getting some strong impressions (or promptings) that maybe I'm not lactose intolerant. 

Oh, the joys of trials, but hopefully we are getting somewhere soon!!

New specialist

Last night was another hard night which makes me want to go back to a specialist even more. Dinner was yummy. I avoided the grated cheese and only had a few oatmeal (non-chocolate) cookies with fresh fruit for dessert. But on the way home from my sister-in-law's house, I almost told to Trent to pull over in the HOV lane (sorry, if that's TMI).

The only problem with going back to the Ogden specialist is that they've already done most all the tests they can. So in talking to my mom last night for a few minutes, she suggested we find a new and closer specialist for me to see. We are guessing that I'm lactose intolerant but still feel there are other foods that affecting me. If you know of any good digestive specialists in the Bountiful area or Davis county and would recommend them, please comment below or let us know! Thanks :)

Cheese vs. sour cream

Why is it that dairy food just tastes so good? I just love the taste of ice cream, yogurt, a big glass of milk, and don't forget all those dips made with sour cream!!

As that thought went through my mind, it never dawned on me now that cheese wasn't on that list. Yes, I do like cheese on casseroles and definitely with Mexican food, somehow there's a limit to how to much. My sister and Chloe LOVE cheese, especially when it's grated! Whenever Trent or I say 'macaroni and cheese' to Chloe, she perks up and goes crazy until she gets some. Yet I've never been that strong desire for m&c or lots of cheese. With this big transition happening in my life of no dairy, I just don't have any more cravings for cheese or even sweets. Silly, I know...but hopefully it will pay off soon!

On the other hand, sour cream is a totally different story. Even though, it's not that healthy, I eat celery and carrot sticks better with dip, but now I'm learning to eat them plain. But it's those those baked potatoes and Mexican food, that I reluctantly give in to that creamy sour cream! I also can't eat any spicy foods without putting a dab of sour cream on to help reduce the hot taste!

Maybe I'll just stick with avoiding cow's milk and the cheese for now! Cuz I don't know what I could do without you, sour cream!

A Possible Answer...maybe?

I'll be upfront and honest in that the last few weeks haven't been easy when it comes to planning, preparing or eating meals. But one thing I've learned is that Heavenly Father is very mindful of my current struggles as well as others. 

Some days or meals haven't been easy to conquer and I've been ready to give up. Yet, I stumble on a blog or see someone else who has worse challenges than I do which brings me back to the reality of life. I should be grateful for what health I have and that I was able to bring a beautiful little girl into this world healthy and strong. Many other sick people, near or far, aren't able to find potential answers to their illness due to financial reasons, locations, or whatever circumstance! Luckily, I have a great sister-in-law and cousin who both recently discovered their solutions along with many other friends as well. 

Both Trent and I have had mixed feelings in going back and forth about various food groups or even specific foods. A few months ago, we mad a list of specific foods that we knew affected my stomach to some degree but I didn't stick to it very much. When you strive to eliminate a certain food in your diet, it's just like breaking habit....it isn't easy. Frustation might be a better word, at least for me that is. So let's fast forward about a month ago, when we decided to take a different approach which still wasn't easy, but I knew I had to do something. 

With lots of prayer and struggles, we've come to a possible answer that I might be lactose intolerant. I know, I should be shouting for joy in that we found something that might work...however, sometimes Heavenly Father only gives us answers little by little. I may be lactose intolerant but there are still a bunch of other foods that make me sick, some worse than others. There's a good chance I can keep the lactcose intolerance under control with some lactaid pills. But for everything else, I've started keeping track of what I've eaten and its effect to me. The last two nights didn't turn out that great, but we hope to have an idea of what the food was and better luck next time! 

A lot of people have come up to me or Trent and expressed their concern for me and my health. Thank you all so much! We appreciate all your love, support, and prayers! It's a lot easier on me as I know that I am cared for and not alone! Hopefully, this is a little step onto our big, new adventure of diet change.

What to do?

So, my second attempt of a dairy-free diet didn't go very well...it lasted a few days, maybe if even that. Diets are so hard especially when you got to feed a husband and child, too! Ok, so I probably shouldn't blame it all them cuz I know all this diet thing is based on me and what I do for myself.  It's just so emotionally, mentally, and sometimes physically hard. Lately, I've been tired with occasional headaches and ringing ears. By the time Trent gets home from work, I'm almost bushed from the day and keeping up with my cute Chloe-bug!

Good thing that husbands and wives work together in many aspects because I would never make it every day without him! He is the 'pick-me-up' and keep me going in the afternoons! Over the last month of so, we've been making dinner and doing dishes together (he usually finishes up) which has been fun and a lifesaver for all of us!

Back to my diet, I've haven't drunk any real milk in the last few months that I can remember. There are a lot more foods and dishes that have milk or dairy products included that I originally thought wouldn't...which is where I probably get more frustrated! After only a few months and realizing how hard it is to eat dairy-free, I have more respect and give high regards to those who are celiac, lactose intolerant, or even both! Most days I start out dairy free but because I eat so little and still feel sick, I end up eating some type of dairy by bedtime!! Frustrating I know! Hopefully next week is better!