~alex~

Emily,

My heart sank when I saw the news on CBC. My thoughts have been with you and your family since. What a lucky girl you were to have him as a father. And how fortunate your kids were to have him as their grandpa.

I can only imagine how many people in Canada (and around the world) will be saddened by hearing of your dad's passing but who will also be spending time talking and reminiscing about the childhood memories they have of watching YCDTOT. Colin and I have been doing just that today.

We will be thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. I'm sure you have been busy getting everything arranged and taken care, but make sure you remember to take care of yourself.

Alex

My husband and I are planning a possible Europe trip this summer. We're planning on hitting Prague, Vienna, Amsterdam, and possibly Brussels. Does anyone have experience traveling to these places and using the gluten-free dining card at restaurants? How did it turn out?

I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing but I don't want to let celiac disease get in the way of an awesome experience. We backpacked through England, France, and Switzerland before I had celiac disease and it was such a crazy time it's hard to imagine adding the whole gluten-free thing into the mix but I'm sure many celiacs have done it successfully. We're planning on staying in hotels part of the time but also hostels sometimes and it scares me to imagine dealing with being glutening while staying in a hostel! If anyone has any other tips/ideas from their gluten-free travel experiences, it would be very helpful.

last night i found something that cemented my belief in the mercury poisoning:

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there was another word i forgot which, that said those with it become extremely withdrawn and anxious. which is something that i DEFINITELY noticed in 7th grade, which is when A) i got my tonsils out and and i got another fillings. it was so weird because in 6th grade i was pretty outgoing and perceptive, then 7th grade came and all of a sudden i started being afraid of what people thought of me to like a crazy degree. like i'd hide behind tall people, even though was tall and avoid eye contact or standing up in class. it was SO WEIRD.

You might want to consider that the onset of puberty in guys is on average 12.5 years which would have been right around the time of your transition between grades 6 and 7. The onset of puberty and all of the crazy changing hormones during that time can trigger a whole bunch of things. Depression, anxiety, celiac disease, or whatever condition you may have might have been triggered by the onset of puberty. Not a rare occurrence.

And with suddenly feeling self-conscious and socially anxious at that time when you weren't before, that's probably because around age 12 you (like everyone else) developed the cognitive ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes and understand that they might be judging and evaluating you. I'm not downplaying how difficult this has been/is for you but just know that it was totally normal for this self-consciousness to develop at that time. It sounds like this experience may have been more severe for you than others, which could probably be due to a variety of reasons.

Anyway, I hope you can figure things out. And I certainly hope that you can get the support of you family or someone significant in your life. I know it can be tempting and promising to look for and hope for a magic bullet causing your distress but like many have said most issues are multifactoral. Depression involves really feeling helpless (from my point of view anyway) so it can feel good to have one extrinsic factor to which you can ascribe your distress and feel in control of. Be careful not to pin everything on one cause because if you change that and still feel distressed, you're only going to feel more helpless. Whatever you choose to do, please base it on advice from a professional/expert, not on advice from some unknown person like me!

Hey there,

I can't add much to the excellent information/advice you've gotten already but I just wanted to add that I also had a terrific gluten-free experience at Disney World. My husband and I went there this past summer -- we stayed on site and went with the dinning plan. We made all of our reservations in advance so every restaurant we went to already knew about my dietary needs. I always had a chef come out and talk to me when I got there. We ate a couple of buffets and a chef took me through to tell me what I could eat. At one of the buffets, I think the chef could sense my unease about the possibility of cross contamination and so she made me my own meal and brought it out to me!

One of the best things is you never feel weird or like a nuisance when discussing your dietary needs at the restaurants. They were all very professional and eager to make sure I was able to eat safely. When we booked our vacation we upgraded our dining plan so that we had two table service meals per day and no counter service meals. I thought this would make it easier since I could make sure every restaurant knew about the gluten-free thing in advance. It did make things easy but ended up being way to much food! The one counter service place we ate brought out a manager to talk to us when I informed them about requiring gluten-free food and everything turned out well.

It sounds like you've been doing quite a bit of research but just in case you haven't come across these, here are a few sites that give some information and tell of people's positive gluten-free experiences at Disney:

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Have a great time! I understand your anxiety. I was so worried that I would be glutened and spend my much anticipated holiday in the bathroom. But everything turned out great. Disney just does things right. I'm pretty sure we will be taking many future vacations to Disney because it just makes things so much easier (and it's so much fun too!). Best of luck!

Alex

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Hey, this looks like a side profile of Snoopy!

Bonne f

Hi,

Celiac disease definitely could have been effecting your sister's blood sugars. I was diagnosed with type I after celiac so I don't have much experience with undiagnosed celiac affecting blood sugars but whenever I am glutened my blood sugar gets pretty erratic. I would bet that once she has been on the gluten-free diet for awhile and her villi heal there will be a good chance her blood sugars will become more manageable and predictable. Also the gluten-free and diabetic diets are pretty complimentary so that should help her too. I'm not sure about the polycystic ovary syndrome or the kidney problems so hopeful someone else can speak to that.

Sarah,

I just want to respectfully peak my head in and let you know I'm thinking about you and your two precious boys. I really wish I had some special knowledge to be able to give you some helpful advice. It sounds like others here have given you some good ideas -- especially about the legal aid. You and your little guys need an advocate to assure you get a fair shake. I'm so glad you have your parents to help you out. Lean on them and let them and everyone else you have in your corner help you out in any way they are able.

You have all of my thoughts and prayers for strength and eventual peace of mind.

Alex

IMO this is a public board and talking about other members in this thread, or making fun of someone who believe's differently, is something I don't agree with and I realize I am in the minority on that.

You

Raving hand-waving hair-pulling screaming Jess here.

Those ignorant annoying self righteous 'you shouldn't do this because I think it's wrong' anti-medicine anti-pharmaceutical blathering idiots who dose themselves with hundreds of dollars worth of untested unproven ground up plants because some minimally educated, yet also anti-pharmaceutical, leech has convinced them that they should should not be allowed to post anything health related.

Very well said! I was attempting to come out of hiding when I happened upon (okay . . . willing looked against my better judgment) the thread which I believe caused your page stretching scream and I think I am outta here again. What's the point of contending with people who believe they are so smart that they somehow understand how a DEAD virus could make them sick. Somebody get these people a scholarship to MIT. I'm sure the experts in virology could use some help in coming up with an HIV vaccine. Oh that's right . . . vaccines are much more dangerous than any of the illnesses they protect against . . . how could I forget.

Doncha think that maybe you are a living tribute to how great a mom she was?

Gulp . I don't think I'll ever be a good enough living tribute to my mom. Exhibit A being what I just posted above. Anger, sarcasm, lack of compassion -- not exactly the mark of a well raised kid. My mom embodied patience, understanding, and compassion; I don't know why I'm so lacking in those virtues. Maybe I just need to grow up a little more . . . I dunno . . .

Sorry for all this very unfunny, unSillyness. Please feel free to ignore this yucky, party pooper post. I will try to stay away til I'm more centred and less pissed with all of the BS that gets posted by occasion around the board. Ugh, I wish I could get a break from myself while I'm in such a foul mood.

and BTW - I think others have learned that it's best not to disagree with......um.......well, certain person(s) on this forum.

Of course you can't disagree! Didn't you know that reading product endorsements and 250 word abstracts on the internet means you have a PhD in . . . um . . . everything! I feel like I'm asking for a warning . . . *scurries off *

Hee--yep, iron never constipated me either....never met anything that could

I understand that. Iron did nothing to slow things down for me when me villi were still healing . . . it just gave me heartburn!

Good luck with the surgery tomorrow Janet!!!

Wow Alex--thank you! I'll try the baking soda It still itches, so it can't hurt and might help!

How have you been? Haven't seen you around these parts in a while.

I hope the baking soda helped. If not we may have a bone to pick with St. John's Ambulance (does St. John's Ambulance even exist in the States? -- I'm thinking it might be a commonwealth thing.)

I've been spending some time away from the forum to keep myself from posting what I really want to post to some of the non-Sillyville members. I think some of the things that I really want to post would be rude enough to get me banned. The antiestablishment sentiments of some people and the whinny "poor me" complaints of others just get me so angry. It's difficult because I want to think of myself as a nice person and typing expletives and such to these people would be a little incongruent with that. But I also want to think of myself as someone who stands up for what I think is right so not responding to these posts is frustrating. I don't know how to stand up for what I think is right without it becoming ugly and combative. I guess I just need to work on being compassionate and understanding why people are the way they are. Sigh . . . being a grown up is hard!

And I've been spending quite a bit of time with Colin. I think he was glutened a little while ago because I had some distressed middle of the night phone calls from him and when I went over to keep him company he looked ill and was vomiting. He's doing better now. And he's "seeing someone" -- a very nice girl he met through someone at his work! I really hope it works out. Colin is a kind, intelligent, gentle guy and I think he would make a great husband and father.

Would it by any chance be a campfire-type song that I could introduce to the cubs scouts? Need a new one for the fall session. You know, a joining-in kind of tune with rounds that repeat, and shouting, etc.?

Speaking about campfire songs, is Jack leaving for his overnight camp soon? He must be getting excited! Hopefully you're not getting too nervous! I'm sure the house will feel empty with out him but I bet he'll have a bunch of great stories to tell when he gets back.

Hee! I love how ironing is included in this particular list.....

Does anyone know if a bee sting is supposed to itch like crazy the next day? This is seriously the second one I've had in me whole life and I don't remember such itching. My skin is also pink in the area of the sting--about the size of a quarter. Does that sound right?

Hey Patti,

Ryan and I recently took CPR/First Aid since we sometimes look after his nieces and nephews and we are with our aging grandparents (and parents! ) quite often and so we wanted to be prepared for anything. Anyway, we learned that for bee stings it helps to put baking soda on the area because the bee venom stuff decreases the pH of the tissue causing some of the inflammation and pain. And for future reference if you get stung by a wasp you should put vinegar on it because wasp venom increases the pH of the tissue. Although I don't if this helps to relieve pain only if you do it shortly after the sting or if doing it now would help as well.

There's 4 or 5 members who flat-out irritate the crap out of me. I generally do the Jess thing, and don't let myself reply.

As for eating organic... yeah, like I said... I'm looking for ways to shrink my grocery bill, not inflate it.

AGREED on the irritating people. I had a much longer post bemoaning my annoyance with so many non-Sillyville posts/posters lately but it was kind of crazily rambling and a little too angry I think so I quickly got rid of it.

I'm pretty much the same with everyone else here on the whole organic issue. I occasionally buy organic things but certainly don't go out of my way to do so. Saying that it is stupid to not buy all organic stinks of elitism and blurs what should be a clear line between personal opinion and scientific fact and those are two things that really get on my nerves.

Apparently, you have quite the following down here

Happy birthday Peter! I hope you have a gluten-free, low sugar treat today!

.......hopefully blowing over to my daughter's former mother-in-law's house, with hideous, putrid fluids on my 5,000 post. .

In lieu of my usual confetti for milestone posts, I made you a foot to kick the ex and the former MIL in the but, far away from your daughter.

Ooooo

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Morning, gang!

I'm racing about, tossing things into bags, injecting insulin, throwing food back (oh - - cannot forget toothbrush), sitting on me bag to close it....oh....Jack, c'm'ere and sit on this with me....and books!...need a couple of books....

GAD.

I plan on a run before we depart, as well..........

Shoot, I wanted to say safe and happy travels before you left! Well done on being able to fit in a run on such a harried, busy morning! Being the runner that you are I may need to pick your brain about IT band syndrome when you come back. I have been bothered by a snapping hip every time I take a step and annoying knee pain and thankfully the xray was clean so my doc thinks it's my IT band. I guess this is common amongst runners. I'm hoping physiotherapy will do the trick for me.

Anyway, I hope you can hear me from the highway: TRAVEL SAFELY AND HAVE FUNNNNNN! (red and blue for your American adventure -- white wouldn't show up )

Alex........

That was Stephen Harper.. . . . . ....

Uh oh! The thought police are after me . . . I hope no big men come and shove me in their trunk!

Thank gawd for living in a country where you can publicly decry your leader and live to tell the tale!

"Nope!" replied God, "Just wait 'till you see their neighbors!" :lol:

I'll definitely be telling my grandpa that one too! He'll love it!

So we're off to the Hill. There are some great bands playing, including the Tragically Hip, Feist and lesser-known but equally fabulous blues ensembles.

Have fun!!! The Hip -- I'm so jealous!!!

Wow.

The tragedies keep befalling us......

Don't know if you guys have been following this man's incredible project/journey, Alex and PeOter, but I was keeping track of the story, and it has ended so suddenly:

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I hadn't really known about it until yesterday when I saw the tragic news. They were doing such a great thing. To keep himself so healthy and active and then die like this is just terribly unfair. I can hardly even think about it without feeling sick. Seeing your parent dead is a hell no kid should have to go through but witnessing a traumatic death is beyond what I can imagine. I hope the two kids are getting their psychological needs attended to. I feel for the driver of the car as well. I don't really know what the circumstances were but it sounds like a terrible accident that will surely haunt him the rest of his life. :( We need some good news in Sillyville. I'm glad my dad's coming over today; I'm going to hug him a little tighter.

oops, double post! Something weird happened while I was posting and everything froze!

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"Hey," says the Governor. "I like that. It's a helluva lot easier to pronounce when you spell it that way."

So that's how Canada got its name.

That was good! I'll have to tell my grandpa that one. He'll get a kick out of it!

*******HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!*********

I shall compose in maple leaf red for the duration of this special day.

We will be heading for the madness on Parliament Hill this afternoon, where a million people congregate, watch the mounties do their endless manouvers, listen to great music, some patriotic speeches (gad, nothing like when Joe showed up here about ten years ago and screamed off his I AM CANADIAN rant to thunderous, deafening cheers...).. ....Typical patriotic stuff from such a small, young, self-conscious population that makes up my Country.

I`ve already done my patriotic, symbolic hat-tipping to Canada - - this early morning, in full insulin reaction mode, instead of reaching for the corn syrup on my bed table I stumbled into the kitchen and managed to find the MAPLE syrup to pour down my throat.

Well done on the patriotic treatment and quick thinking while in that state -- I usually just sit down and cry! I'm also a hypoglycemic puker, so it may not have been such a beautifully patriotic moment for me!

That's exciting that you're going down to Parliament!!! Perfect way to spend Canada Day -- I'm actually kind of jealous. What could be more patriotic! I've only been to Parliament once and went on a tour. We were late for the tour and so they ran us up those back stairs that you see the PM come down on TV in order to catch up with the tour. We were dorkily excited. Will Steven be there today? Throw some rotten tomatoes at his head for me!(oops I'm getting too political for Sillyville) Just have a good time!

I guess it's officially Canada Day so:

HAPPY CANADA DAY

A video in honoUr of Canada Day --

I think WE need a Queen Alex around here.....just twelve pages to go!!......

I don't think I can handle the responsibility of being the next Queen! I think I'd like to be a royal duchess -- a nice title with no responsibility.

Thank you to everyone who has spoken to our loss of Thomas. He had been a member of our family for just over ten years.

I'm so sorry Peter. The loss of a pet just makes the house seem so empty. I hope your other cats are helping to keep you two strong.

Sick while traveling -- that's no fun at all Amanda. I hope you feel better tomorrow!

I have a little good news to share. Nothing big but it sure made me feel happy. We went to Ryan's parents house this evening for a little Canada Day Eve party and we brought Colin along with us. There were some people there he'd never met before so it took him a little while to warm up but after a while he was in there like a dirty shirt. He was having fun playing catch with Ryan's nephew and joined in on the conversation when we were all sitting around the table. And then he helped Ryan and his dad set off the fireworks AND I could hear him laughing quite a bit while they did that. I'm pretty sure I was beaming the entire time! I think spending sometime with Ryan's big, happy, fun-loving family is almost therapeutic for Colin. And they all adore him as well. It was definitely a great night!

Ouch.

NOT having a good day over here. Major emotional issues going with the med withdrawal. Desperately wishing my mom or MIL were retired so I could foist my kids on them for a few days, as I am not fit to be around anyone right now. Crying over everything one moment, then angry and hating everything the next. I hate this.

I'm really sorry. Are there any affordable day camps that you could send them to for a few weeks so you could have some down time and rest? When I was a teenager I worked for a program run by the city that held day camps at various local parks. I think it was 5 or 6 dollars a day per child. But that was not only in a different city but a different country so I'm not sure how much help that will be to you. But maybe your city/town has something similar? Also our local YMCA ran similar economical camps.

Lie back and think of England???

I got a little bit confused for a second there Em- as I was sure Queen Victoria's hubby was called 'Albert'......but turns out 'Francis' was his 'proper' name

And Queen Victoria's first name was Alexandrina (I guess I'm one letter away from being named after a royal)! I don't know why she would go by Victoria when she could go by Alex! I'm thinking a unisex name would just not do for the Queen of England.

Since Victoria BC was named for the Queen, I think I'd like to start a petition to rename it with her real name Alexandrina! Or even better drop that silly n and go with Alexandria!

I'm so sorry Susie. I am thinking thoughts and praying prayers of strength and comfort for you, David, and his family. Especially for the three young children. I can only imagine their confusion and sorrow. I don't understand why life can be so cruel sometimes. I am sure you are a source of great comfort and strength to David. I hope everyone in his family can have a person like you to lean on.