leadmeastray88

I'm 20, but I guess you could say that I've experienced more in those 20 years than some people see in a lifetime.

I've been struggling with my health since I was in tenth grade. I've had 9 hernias and 7 surgeries over 4 years, and I'm still going through the healing process, physically and mentally. No doctor I've been to yet can tell me why I keep having recurrences. One said it was a birth defect, another said it was genetic, and another said that my stomach wasn't developed properly because I was born 2 months early.

I had the most horrifying experience at the Shouldice hernia hospital in Toronto, where they performed a hernia repair on me without giving me general anesthetic. I assume you can only imagine the pain and agony. I still have nightmares from it.

They repaired 2 hernias using stainless steel wire, which 2 months later snapped into a dozen pieces each and had to have yet another 2 surgeries to remove the wire and repair the damaged tissue (at a different hospital)

Since my last surgery I had some severe abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, bloating, fatigue, vitamin B12 deficiency, and constipation.

My GP tested my tTG levels for Celiac which came back negative (tTG =1, +>5) and the GI I saw absolutely refused to perform an endoscopy because "you have already been through too much"

I tested positive through Enterolab for active dietary gluten sensitivity, and have 2 gluten sensitivity genes.

I also recently found out that a cousin of mine has been diagnosed with Celiac, so now it's in the family.

I've been gluten-free since July 2008. I had a rough start, but I keep getting better and better everyday.

One thing I've learned from all this is that life can throw you some curve balls but with faith and the support of family and friends you can get through anything possible. That's probably the biggest life lesson I've learned so far.

Enough about that...

I am super laid-back and easy going. I love music, travelling, going to concerts/festivals and being with family and friends.

Anything else you want to know...just ask