Spring break is over and we are slowly returning to our “normal” lifestyle. I spent a few days visiting my mom in North Carolina and upon returning on Monday, was faced with a very dirty house, a huge pile of dirty laundry, something vaguely but not quite resembling banana pudding in the refrigerator, bills, a doctor’s appointment this morning and did I mention a huge pile of laundry?
First, the week passed with no signs of protest from Jessie concerning her father’s trip to Virginia. I was amazed and quite honestly a bit frightened. When things go too smoothly, something new is ALWAYS lurking around the corner. Thankfully, it was a good week off.
We went to visit our brand new Georgia gastroenterologist this morning for a little meet and greet. (You know you’re seeing too many doctors when your child asks which part of her body we will be discussing today.) We are entering our favorite zone, “Experiment Land” yet again. Jessie was ALL OVER this one. Amazingly, she has already forgotten our little experiment with her medication last month. Kids – how soon they forget.
Anyway, the doctor looked over her previous endoscopy and bloodwork and noted that the Virginia doctor had doubts as to whether the diagnosis should be Celiac Disease. The biopsy was positive and the bloodwork was iffy. He said that if there is any question, the only way to be sure is to consume gluten and see what happens. If her symptoms return, well, you get the picture. If not, then Jessie gives him a little blood in a month and he runs the tests to see what they show. I side with the doctor on this reasoning. This is a lifelong diagnosis, so you’d better be pretty darned certain that you are on the money before giving up an entire food group.
Moving along. First, Jessie literally told this little doctor that she loved him. Her mouth proceeded to water so much that she could hardly form her words. He quickly added that by tomorrow, she may do a complete 180 on her opinion of him. Next, as soon as he left the room, she decided what she has missed more than anything else. It was a no-brainer – Panera Bread. Think about it. If a person has, possibly, a one-shot chance to have gluten for maybe the very last time in her life, she should get what she desires.
Thanks to the trusty Garmin we’ve lovingly named Myrtle, Jessie and I located the nearest Panera and headed 7 miles in the opposite direction of the doctor’s office, which was 10 miles from our house to find the coveted cinnamon crunch bagels. We anxiously arrive at Panera only to find that they had SOLD OUT of the darned things. Not to be out done, Myrtle promptly located the next Panera Bread which, may I add, is 8 more miles south. This time a little light bulb lit up and we called to see that they had what we wanted. They did! We drove literally into the city of Atlanta (which is a BEAR) to get these stupid bagels – excuse me – delicious bagels. Jessie was then terrified to eat one, so she smelled it all the way home where she carefully toasted it and sliced it like a pizza. That was about five hours ago and we haven’t seen anything ugly yet. We can only hope and pray. If nothing happens, I have three more with her name on them.
Anyway, that just about sums it up, except for the banana pudding. I don’t know what happened. All I can say is that was unrecognizable, the pudding itself never set up and was an odd brown color. It went bye-bye.
Have a nice evening!
Living Chronically 