Please, Please Read

[Guest imsohungry]

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted much recently. I must confess that I have fallen away from staying gluten-free recently...I am just so stressed trying to finish my Master's program. However, I learned some news this week that really opened my eyes. My mother was diagnosed Friday with colon cancer and all kind of things wrong in her intestines. She has been sick for a long time. "IBS"..."Spastic Colon"...etc.

When I found out about six months ago that I had a dx of Celiac, I told my mom to get tested, but she did not feel that she needed to. I told her it was genetic and all of my other auto-immune diseases came from her side of the family (this isn't an accusation...the women in her family ALL have auto-immune issues). Anyway, she finally got to feeling so sick that she had to go to the doctor; they did two endoscopies and found a whole list of problems in her intestines; including the cancer. I am trying not to worry or dwell on it, but both her mother and father passed away from cancer.

I guess I just need some support. HAS ANYONE HEARD OF CELIAC DISEASE BEING RELATED TO COLON CANCER? She promised me that after her surgery she will meet with her doctor and discuss getting tested for Celiac. Thank you for your support and knowledge. I'm so stressed and scared. -Julie

[Merika]

Hi Julie,

My thoughts go out to you and your mom. I'm not 100% sure, but yes i believe untreated celiac can lead to colon cancer.

Which is one of the reasons (here's my rant ) of why *you should be eating gluten-free*. You will finish your master's with less stress, more energy, and more clear-headedness if you stick to being gluten-free. Really I know how stressful and time-consuming grad school is (btdt), and the temptation to just order out. Get a rice cooker, which you can set in the morning to be done just when you get home, go to the grocery store and buy some cooked meat or cans of beans, frozen veggies already chopped, fresh fruit, and you'll be set.

Also, if anyone wants menu-planning you can get online menus (pretty easy to adapt to gluten-free) - there's a link on www.flylady.net to "saving dinner". Not all the recipes may be to your taste, but some are great, and she has a grocery menu, simple recipes, and presto you're done. Or just make a really big soup once a week and eat it with varied spices/beans/meats each night (or lunch). I hate to think about menus and cooking too.

Best wishes to your family, and good luck with gluten-free eating.....

Merika

[tarnalberry]

Absolutely. Untreated celiac disease causes a very large increase in risk for all sorts of intestinal cancers. Do some searching around pubmed for the numbers, if you'd like.

As Merika noted, it's just one of the reasons why it's VITAL to your LIFE that you remain COMPLETELY gluten-free. I know it can be frustrating, and a hassle, but when you get a few quick things that satisfy you under your belt, it'll help. (For me, those are soups - if I'm going to be home to stir - or trail mix or rice cakes w/ peanut butter or fruit.)

[Guest imsohungry]

Thank you both for your replies. I know you are right about staying gluten-free. My mother's diagnosis this week reminded me that taking care of myself is more important than school. I just need to learn to be gluten-free efficiently. I'm so incredibly stressed right now; I'm at work 60 hours a week (completing my internship as well as my "real job"), taking two classes at school, dealing with seizures, lupus, and celiac, and now worried over my sweet mom. This week I had a seizure and busted my eye...I had to go to the ER and get it closed up. It has just been one of those weeks.

I know that I should be strict on my gluten-free diet. I will try to do better. Thank you for letting me vent and thank you for your support. -Julie

[Merika]

Hi Julie,

I just remembered that Amy's brand at health food stores now has a few frozen dinners that are gluten-free. I tried a lasagna (didn't love it, but it was edible - but I'm not really a frozen dinner lover) and there was another one too....There are also gluten-free pizza crusts at Whole Foods that you just throw in the oven with whatever toppings you like, peanut butter & jelly on rice bread...maybe check out the food forum here for more ideas.

It sounds like you are doing a million things! Be healthy, stay strong, and get in the kitchen, lol

Merika