The thing that nourishes me destroys me, and why I want it permanently tattooed on my body…….

I have been suffering with intense stomach pain, every doctor I went to told me something different, I have been diagnosed with acid reflux, hiatal hernia, IBS, and anxiety, but no matter what they did I continued to suffer. My family and friends stopped believing me, but they were never there at 3am when I couldn't walk because the pain was so intense, the only one who saw the agony I was in was my wonderful husband. With the help of the internet and numerous chat boards I began reading about Celiacs Disease.

"Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive process of the small intestine. The small intestine is connected to the stomach-the first parts of the small intestine, the duodenum and the jejunum, are where celiac disease is commonly found.

When a person who has celiac disease consumes gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, the individual's immune system responds by attacking the small intestine and inhibiting the absorption of important nutrients into the body." Approximately 1% of the population suffers from Celiacs disease which can cause abdominal pain, malnutrition, osteoporosis, Neuropathy, anxiety, depression, weight loss, and even certain types of cancer. Sadly about 97% of those with Celiacs Disease are undiagnosed, mostly because doctors in the U.S learn about Celiacs in medical school and never hear of it again.

This was true in my case, after 10 years of listening to Doctors tell me what they believed was causing the pain, I realized if I didn't take control, I would continue to suffer. I made an appointment with a new physician. The day of my appointment I walked in with all the research I had done and said "I am pretty sure I have Celiacs Disease" he responded "No you don't" I proceeded to tell him that I did not care if he thought I didn't, I was demanding the test. I said "I will do the test, but I guarantee you do not have it." Needless to say, when the blood work came back he entered the room with his tail between his legs. I never went back to him again.

Growing up in an Italian family we had bread with every meal, pasta every Sunday, each holiday was filled with cookies and cakes. After 29 years growing up on these delicious homemade goodies, I was told I could never have Grammas ravioli on Christmas day, Auntie Joyce's imperials, great grammas Italian knot cookies, Mom's meatloaf and the list goes on.

There are so many emotions, I cry when I go to the grocery store and have to read the back of everything I purchase, I loathe calling the manufactures to ask where the "natural flavors" come from, I envy my husband who can eat his cheeseburger on a bun, but I am also thankful that I have the resources that helped me diagnose myself, I am lucky that I don't need to control this disease with medication only a diet change, I feel victorious, I am empowered, I am educated, and I am determined to spread the word so other people get the medical treatment they deserve.

I have been gluten free now for 8 months, and always wanted a tattoo but never knew what I wanted on my body for the rest of my life. That was until I was diagnosed with Celiacs Disease, at that point I was sure of what I wanted. I need to celebrate the wheat that was such a big part of my life, at the family holidays, the friendship dinners, also to show what a struggle it has been, what a large part of my life has been disturbed by it, as well as to celebrate my new outlook on life, my health that is greatly improving, the friendships I have made and the awareness I am sharing with others. This piece is everything to me, it is a celebration of my victory, a commemorate of a life I am leaving behind, and the continuance of the saga of living gluten free in a gluten filled world.

Source - UIC Celiac Disease Center