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| Jesse's nest |
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| Spring is arriving |
On April 1, we head down to the doctor's office. Knowing that it will be a long day, we take the dogs with us. It is sunny and warmer than usual for early Spring. I haven't been Down There since mid-December, but it seems like just last week that we drove the muddy, bumpy road down to the pavement and into town. And, yet with all that has happened, it seems like a year ago. And this time we take MAX down to our Jeep at Larry and Elsie's. I know the dogs are surprised when we get to the main canyon road and keep going, instead of turning around and heading for home. They get a long run, and seem glad to be able to ride when we get to the Jeep. There is still a lot of snow on the road most of the way down, but it is clear past the gate.
We finally arrive at the doctor's and get JB checked in. The procedure will take a while and JB has to come out of the anesthesia afterwards. It being April 1, the nurse threatens to paint his finger and toe nails while he's asleep, and I advise that a bright red would look best. So, leaving him in good hands, the dogs and I go run some errands and get lunch. It is such a nice day that we stop at the park along the way.
By the time we get back to the doctor's office, BJ is babbling as he slowing awakens, no worse for wear. We consult with the doctor, and his findings confirm the blood test. JB has Celiac's disease. Sounds terrible, but just basically means his body can no longer digest gluten. It is actually an autoimmune disease that can eventually cause death, but dealing with it is very simple: delete all gluten from JB's diet. Gluten causes the celia in his small intestine to wilt and they are unable to take nutrients from the food he eats. But a low white cell count is only one of many, many guises this disease has. However, the doctor assures us that after six months on a gluten-free diet, the celia will recover and be as good as new. The disease is genetic, so JB has to inform his two sons, and all his brothers, nieces and nephews of his diagnosis so they can also be tested.
We find that changing his diet is much easier to do now than it would have been five years ago. It seems that more and more people each year are being diagnosed with Celiac's. But because of its many symptoms, even more people are not diagnosed, which is too bad because it just takes a simple blood test. The month of April is practically consumed with researching the disease and product sources for a gluten-free diet. Since JB already enjoys baking bread, he can still make his own, just using different flours. The natural food stores all carry the necessary ingredients, but they are pricey. Our Fred Myer grocery store has a very large selection, but the ready-made products are expensive. We finally go to the Bob's Red Mill site on the internet and are able to purchase their all purpose blend of flours in 25 lb. bags. We can substitute that flour in any recipe, adding just a little xantham gum (powder) and it will turn out perfect. They also have large bags of gluten-free oatmeal which is JB's favorite breakfast. It is amazing how many food products contain wheat or gluten in some form.
As we go about our research and learn to cook with new ingredients, the snow is melting and Spring has arrived in the mountains. At the end of the month, we are able to bring my Jeep two miles up the road to our cutoff, and should be able to drive it all the way up to Rose Camp in a few more weeks.
Now: July 21, 2011
It has been almost 16 months since JB was diagnosed with Celiac's, and we have easily adapted to his new diet. I have found that the GF (gluten-free) foods seem to be less filling. As far as pasta goes, we now use the quinoa pastas and they have a nutty flavor that we both really like. Friends and family always bring him GF foods and mixes when they visit us or he goes to Seattle. JB's stamina has improved and his digestive problems have all but disappeared.
Yesterday we made an unscheduled trip Down There to buy the heavy duty shelves JB wants in his shop. He found them at Costco and wants to be sure we get them before they are gone. We also stopped at AG Supply for a more heavy duty mouse trap. The little ones we had been using don't seem as effective as they used to be, or maybe the mice are just getting smarter. It was cloudy and cool, so the dogs came with us. Today JB is going to mow the paths again, something that on a "normal" year he would not have to do after June. I plan to cut some more branch wood. Tomorrow we want to get started on the deck/shop again.
RJ is coming to breakfast this morning and then will return to the other side of the mountains. He and Mike will be back up for our annual Rose Camp BBQ and Potluck on August 7. We should have about 15 people this year.
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