This may sound bizarre, but I am pleased to announce that my little Finn has been diagnosed with Celiacs/Coeliacs disease, which means that he will have to follow a gluten free diet for the foreseeable future.
I am pleased because I was scared. More scared than I said I was. More scared than I wanted to admit to anybody, but I now feel that as his Mommy, Finleys health is in my hands, and I know I am more than capable of dealing with the challenges a gluten free diet will present.
Somewhere in Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach says that health problems focus us like a lazer, that suddenly we have the clarity and strength to deal with all that life will lay at our door, in a way we do not have when our problems are financial. And for the first time in my life I have to disagree with Sarah. I have known huge, horrible money problems. Problems that seemed unsurmountable, but intellectually I always understood that money didn’t matter. What’s the worst that could happen? And if it did, what then? Nothing. Not in the whole scheme of things. Money doesn’t scare me. I can always work harder. Give up luxuries. Sell something or throw in the towel altogether.
But watching my precious little baby’s stomach grow bigger everyday, seeing him in pain, smiling when he was miserable and not knowing what to do about, made my head so fuzzy I could hardly think straight. I didn’t feel focused or strong. I felt weak and tired and helpless. Mostly because all rational thought went out the window. This wasn’t constipation or a food intolerance, this was (to me) something mean and horrible seeping the life out of my little boy, and while my every instinct told me that he was ok, the panicky mommy inside me was sure that each x-ray, blood test or consultant meeting would reveal something too horrible to contemplate.
But it didn’t. Of course it didn’t. And so I say again: I am pleased to announce that my little boy has been diagnosed with Celiacs Disease.
This we can deal with.
Other Things To Do At BrocanteHome
Browse the Bookstore
Discover a curated list of books to enhance and support life the BrocanteHome way
Life Love & Vintage Housekeeping the by BrocantePrintables on Etsy
Create your own Brocante Life Book, plan Christmas, set up routines and rituals or live life the BrocanteHome way with my guided workbooks and planners.
Take a Course
Discover mindful, meaningful days with self-led, habit-coaching courses from BrocanteHome.
The Slow Scrub Challenge at BrocanteMe 
Goal Setting for Homemakers 
The Brocante Round-Up! 
The Brocante Round-Up! 
I'd be glad to share my girlfriend's email addy with you, who recently found out that one of her girls was diagnosed with celiacs disease also. She's a little one, so that might make it easier to share.
She's got lots of research under her belt already and plenty of links that might help. Just holler if you need her and I'll put you in touch.
I will say, I'm relieved that this is all he has. It's definitely doable.
Love you!
Oh Allison-I completely understand the relief and actual joy of having a diagnosis like that. I believe that the not knowing is worse than anything else.
Please give Finley a huge hug from Jason, who still prays every night for his "fwen".
Thank god for lots of gluten free products now out on the market! You and Finley can do this!!
All the best ~Maureen
I am relieved for you. I know that this disease is a nuisance, but it's treatable. From my own experience I have always been grateful for a treatable diagnosis rather than questions or the thought of an untreatable condition. I believe you will have it even a bit easier than my mom did when I was growing up with it. So many more resources for research, ingredients and support online. Hang in there!
like all the others say ~ this is doable…..and I totally understand that it is relief you are feeling.
Diet controlled and Finn will be ok and yes! thank Heaven there are many gluten free products out there. My dil is a dietician/cook for a pre school and if ever you need recipes,please ask. XX
Alison, thank goodness! This, as you say, is something you can deal with. There are loads of great sites on the net with recipes for you – I looked when my Mum was diagnosed as wheat intolerant. Lots of hugs to you all 🙂
re the Simple Abundance : I have to say though, Alison that you felt weak & helpless before you found out what was wrong and that is perfectly normal but now that you know what is wrong with Finley, don't you feel strong, capable and able to deal with it? you are stronger than you think ((hugs))
It's sad whenever our little one's are sick, but it's even worse when we don't know what the heck is going on! You know now. Hurrah, Mommy can now come to the rescue and help little Finn with whatever new special needs he may have. 🙂 I am so happy he is going to be alright! 🙂
Susana
So glad to hear that all will be okay!! ~ All the best wishes for little Finley ~ and his mumma of course !!
I just signed on after a day away fromt he computer, and you will never know how many times I was thinking of you and little Finley and saying little prayers that it be something that could be "lived with" and not something too scary for thought. This will be something you can definitely accomplish, with style and grace, no doubt. You, I imagine, will create such wonders you might have to beat Mark and others off with your big wooden Mabel spoon…. I know you are relieved, and we are all so blessed that this will work out… Bless your little hearts… Gayla
So pleased you have found such peace through having answers!!! I understand your relief. Big hugs to you; Mark and mr finley.