Day One:

Two words. Celiac Disease. And My life has been forever changed. I know, I should be jumping for joy, as I am now on my way to feeling better and have a diagnosis that doesn’t include an early demise (I hope), but let’s face the facts, people- plain and simple- this sucks.  Anyone who tries to tell me otherwise has never tasted a fresh baguette in Paris. There must be phases of this disease, and I’m calling the first one pure and bitter rage.  I’m pissed.  It’s been a long road to this diagnosis, I’ll spare the details… the point is, I’m here and it totally sucks! I suppose the fact that I still feel horrible doesn’t help anything, and finding out about my fate on the heels of a ruptured ear drum (seriously!?) really only added icing to my now gluten-free cake (yuck).  I’m like a toddler throwing a tantrum at this point and I’ve decided that I’m allowed at least a few days of stomping my feet and banging my fists on the wall.  Because really, I’m never again going to have a good piece of bread in my life.  Seriously?!  I am thankful for all of the supportive people in my life, trying to put a positive spin on this ridiculous punishment, but right now I just need to vent. Unless you’ve been told you will never again have a Fiore’s garlic knot, or a piece of Pepe’s pizza, or Jimmy’s fried shrimp, you cannot possibly understand what I’m going through.  I suppose this pity party will have to end at some point, I’m just not ready yet.  There must be a bright light somewhere…. the only one I can see is the clock, which is telling me it’s 1:53 a.m., and I’m awake, and STARVING.  Ha! My body is calling out in desperation for all of those wonderfully delicious foods that I’ve thoughtlessly shoved in for the last 31 years.  Hmph. Well, at least I can still have french fries…..