Daughter's Enterolab results

[sarkin]

Marliss & Kelly,

You've done a lot of great things in raising your daughters already - and it didn't get done in one conversation. I would be both your girls will get where they need to go, just not as quickly (or via quite as straight a path) as you would wish for their own sakes.

You don't have to share info alone - you can share your heart. My mother didn't say a word when she saw me with a cigarette... she just burst into tears. Mighty powerful weapon... keep that in mind ;)

I'm keeping my fingers crossed they will both reach the healthiest conclusion as soon as possible.

Love,
Sara

[irisheyes13]

Sara,

I agree, it isn't going to happen overnight. I don't have false hopes that it will, especially in a college dorm environment but I want to arm her with as much knowledge as I can without overwhelming her. It's a lot to put on anyone at one time and add to that a whole new lifestyle in a completely foreign environment with strangers surrounding you...and a mini fridge as your only means of storage. I'm working with the food service manager and special programs coordinator at the university to see what additional ideas and help they can be for us.

We both shed some tears last night when I broke the news. She knows how much I wish I could change this for her but anger is prevailing and that's okay for the time being. She proceeded to tell me she had another big project to deal with and didn't want to talk about it any longer. It turns out that project was to write a valedictorian speech for graduation. She is one of several students who were given the opportunity to give the speech and it needed to be turned in today and she will present it in front of several professors on Thursday who will make the final decision. This morning I asked her if I could see the end product so she gave it to me to read.

It brought on more tears when I read it. A portion of her speech on the topic of adversity and what they (the students) have faced in their short 18 years so far (there have been several unique circumstances that have affected their class as a whole over the last 4 years) and how it has armed them with the strength and knowledge to be successful in their many diverse endeavors. She mentioned her personal upheaval with her recent health issues and how she is not going to let it get in her way of succeeding in her future both personally and professionally as well. I have no idea whether her speech will get chosen for the commencement or not but she did an incredible job on it and I'm so proud her right now...here's a pic from prom night of her and I.

[sarkin]

Kelly,

You must be so proud of her - what an honor she's been offered, what a great attitude (despite the anger and tears), and what an absolutely beautiful girl. I hope this graduation, and the start of college life, are full of much joy and excitement that nothing can overshadow.

Congratulations to your whole family, and especially this lovely young woman and her mother.

Love,
Sara

[Pat]

Oh, my! Two beautiful women. I know you are proud of her, Kelly. What an achievement - valedictorian. She's a smart young lady and has a very caring mom. She's gonna be fine. She'll work out the food issues with the uni and I am sure it will happen with your help and support.

Pat

[dgshelton]

Kelly- You both are gorgeous!! Did she find out whether her speech was chosen? It brought tears to my eyes...she seems to be very wise!! Anger is good, because it usually leads to acceptance. I remember how angry I was when I found out I had diabetes. She has done such an incredible job accepting that, so I have no doubts she'll accept the gluten free diet, in time.

Meanwhile, big hugs to both of you!

[MBombardier]

Thank you, Sara, for your encouraging words. You are quite right. I think that often we can say more with our actions than with our words. I am so grateful for the two that are gluten-free and are proactively protecting their health. Of course, they live with me so my influence on them is greater. The two older ones, well, I suspect that they will be forced by their symptoms to change their diets, just like I was when I was blind-sided with my MC diagnosis last September and found this site shortly thereafter.

What I find especially discouraging is that my daughter-in-law, whose family has gluten, dairy, and egg intolerances, says that just because you have the gene doesn't mean that it will ever be triggered. That is true, but why take the chance? Now, if I had a gene for breast cancer I would not remove my breasts because of it. I remember reading about a woman doing that, but it seems to me that would be an extraordinary measure to avoid breast cancer. However, a little research shows that even those who do not have gluten intolerance benefit from a gluten-free diet. And we know that in many, perhaps most ways, a GF diet is healthier.

Kelly, your daughter is just beautiful. I know that when I was young and beautiful, even wearing glasses was an offense. Yes, I was arrogant and stupid, and please don't think that I am relating this to your daughter at all. I am just thinking that for myself that I can't imagine how I would have reacted if I had had a serious health issue. I may have matured faster, causing less trouble to those who loved me, and also becoming more at peace with the whole aging thing, which is depressing me now.

[Gloria]

What a great picture of a beautiful mom with her gorgeous daughter! I hope she is chosen to give the valedictorian speech, which I assumes means she is the class valedictorian. You must be very proud of her. I agree with Pat - she'll be fine. She has a good head on her shoulders.

Gloria

[ant]

If a picture is worth a thousand words your daughter and you have already 'said'..... very....."Intelligent", "Sensitive to the world" and "Beautiful"!!!!

If a speech is added (which would, of course, be great) it is icing on the cake.

But, unless I am mistaken, you two have already blown 800+ pp people away with a wonderful picture (which, of course, is much more than just a picture) !

Best wishes, ant

[irisheyes13]

Sara, Pat, Denise, Gloria, Marliss and Ant - Thank you for your so very kind, supportive words. She is a really big-hearted, hard working wonderful person. I couldn't be more proud of the woman she is becoming.

The latest news of having to eliminate gluten and diary has unfortunately set her back and she isn't handling it well at all. Time will tell how she manages it and whether she will fully commit to a gluten free lifestyle as she moves to independent college living. It's difficult to accept the news when, from her point of view, she is asymptomatic. My hope is that her head will eventually overrule her heart and she'll begin to process and understand the science behind it all and want to do what's best for her health. She is a health/science major and the decision was based on a personal injury she incurred a few years ago. Who knows, maybe she'll adjust her major based on this latest curve ball that's been thrown at her and decide to delve into research and discover a cure for diabetes or MC some day;)

Marliss, you are so right about how sensitive we are concerning our looks and how others perceive us in our youth. Change is hard for any of us but it is much more difficult when you feel like you have your whole life ahead of you and your world gets turned upside down. Maturity happens to everyone at a different rate but health issues can certainly speed up that process. I know it knocked me down several pegs. BTW, I love your latest avatar picture! What a beautiful photo of both of you!!

No news on the valedictorian speech but either way she's a winner to me;)

Love,
Kelly

[Kari]

Oh Kelly - it's so wonderful to see the two of you together - you're both so beautiful, and the love between you shines. Soooo very sorry your daughter has to deal with all of this, but she sure sounds capable and smart.

Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful picture and good luck to your daughter with her presentation.

Lots of love to both of you,
Kari