Just another manic Monday

Heading out in a little while to visit the vampires. Not actually sure why they need to draw blood as often as they do, but I suspect it is because I have good insurance. Afterwards, I'll be heading over to a friend's office to help her out with a spreadsheet. Grunt work, but someone needs to do it, and I have the time... and I usually get lunch out of the deal. That being said, I'll be stopping off at the grocery store on my way in, just in case. One week she decided she couldn't live without pizza. Thank goodness I had some treats in my purse! Giant Eagle is supposed to have gotten in some gluten free baked goods, but I'm pretty sure they aren't at the store near me. I'll have to go up to the one in Jackson Twp. to find them, if they're available in NEO at all. But eggs are on sale, and I can always pick up some corn tortillas and cheese to warm up in the microwave. (Strange combination, I know... but I like it.) Hope your week starts off well.

Who's the Celiac?

This is a question I'm hearing more and more lately. I got it again on Saturday night while at my high school reunion. The minute I mentioned gluten-free, one of my classmates that I would never have imagined having any information whatsoever brought up that a softball buddy of his has celiac disease, and was in terrible pain prior to going gluten-free about two and a half years ago.

I was amazed. But then, maybe I shouldn't have been. Two of my girlfriends from way back when spoke up immediately when I got the diagnosis - one to offer support, and the other to let me know where to find both gf foods and a support group! And we live in the tiniest of small towns.

So far (and I know I haven't been doing this very long at all) I have had no attempts to entice me to eat something I shouldn't, I've had plenty of people offer to help me find things that I can eat, and I while I have had a couple of less than happy restaurant visits, I'm usually able to get what I need.

Still... I have to wonder what the reaction would be if I didn't have that word "disease" to fall back on. If I wasn't the celiac in the group. What if it was a different form of gluten intolerance? Would the perception of my friends and family be different? Would I get the same service when I go out? I hope so, but I suppose I'll never be really sure.

I have resorted to the "wheat allergy" excuse once or twice while eating out - especially when on the road and starving after driving all day. But the strange thing is... most of the time when I say that, they drag out a menu that plainly says "Gluten Free" on the front.

I'm glad to have been diagnosed this year, as I know things are far easier today than they were even a few years ago. And I'm glad to have the family and friends that I do... they are amazing.