(Age:
69 years, female)
I am a female, just turned 69 years. I was diagnosed with celiac disease (then known as sprue disease) in 1969.
From very early childhood I had been sickly, pale, underweight and lost a great deal of school due to lack of appetite and vomiting. I recall crying many times with stomach cramps and suffering from cankers on my tongue.
My relief would come when my parents were able to get me to a doctor and he would give me IRON, sometimes a red liquid, sometimes a thick syrup-like medication. Very quickly I would respond and would be excited as food now smelled and tasted good.
During my teen years this condition seemed much better. Still I was not of average size. At age 18 years, I had my first menstrual period and I grew inches.
I was married at age 24 and felt well, had five children in seven years (all Sections).
Around 1968, I ran into problems; very tired and losing weight. I went often to my doctor seeking help. I was teaching in school at the time. The worst part of my day would begin around 3:30 p.m. Gurgling would start in my stomach, an overall miserable feeling. I could eat a good dinner, but shortly after I would have to change into something loose, as I would become very bloated. At times this was accompanied with severe diarrhoea.
This continued for months, yet I was able to teach.
Finally, I gave in to going to an out-of-town hospital where I could be checked by a specialist. I spent close to three weeks in hospital. During that time I was asked to sit before huge room full of doctors to answer questions.
I was later told that my case was borderline rare. I was asked to return in three months. I had gained eight pounds and was feeling fine.
Again, I returned a year later.
My specialist made the comment, “You don’t look like the same patient I treated over a year ago.”
Good doctors are a gift from God.
