The End of the World As We Know It
We've had an interesting week at Chez Andrews. To say the least.
Last week we visited our doctor for a routine medication checkup and she had her staff call and ask for more time with Hubby. Oh crap. What could it be? Cancer, heart, prostate? After 50 you never know, do you?
The previous week, when we had some routine blood work done, our Doc also had a new test for food allergies run on Himself. Because he's already got a number of known food allergies (sesame, peaches, melons, carrots, salmon, etc.), she suggested a new test known as the the ICAP. Sounded like a great idea, right? Hubby has had long-term acid reflux and a strangling sensation in his larynx for months and was getting pretty tired of it and was willing to try darned near anything.
What were the results? My poor Hubby is allergic to:
- Wheat
- Corn
- Soy
- Scallops
- Walnuts
Our first reaction was relief--it was something we could manage and he would be OK. Then we experienced all of Kubler-Ross' five stages of grief, but we are rapidly
moving to acceptance. We found a gluten-free bakery in Pacific Grove when we visited his Mom this week and bought some bread and a flourless chocolate cake for the freezer. The difficult part is that many alternative recipes use either corn flour or soy flour in the mixture that substitutes for wheat flour.I've spent the last 13 years since meeting my sweetie, perfecting the making of artisan breads and homemade pastas--the very foods that were making him sick. We bought a bread machine today and all sorts of alternative flours so we can start our new journey together.
We have a wonderful life and a can-do attitude, but this kind of threw us for a loop....big time.
On the good side, after a wheat-soy-corn-free week, his throat is better and he's been able to quit the acid reflux meds. His immune system went into shock (and withdrawal?) and he caught a case of bronchitis that has him pretty miserable.
He's just grateful that he can still eat his homemade cheese and salami and drink red wine.
I think I'll go pour up a glass.......
10 comments:
Our best friend has Celiac's disease, a total intolerance for gluten. She's gotten quite creative!
You might add this gal's blog to your list, she's a fun read, is an author, and her dh is a chef.
http://www.glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/
When I was trying to figure out another allergy, I removed everything but rice from my diet and slowly added back in. I thought it was wheat but it turned out to be soy. Which is also in just about everything. sigh. I can really empathize with your DH. Try quinoa flour as a substitute for wheat. If he can do oats then you can use oat flour. I mainly cook from scratch and I can keep it all at bay. Good luck to you and hubby.
sounds like quite the adjustment, but well worth it if after a week he's already feeling significantly better!
I think that you just lost a little sewing time as you will probably need to spend more time in the creativity area of the kitchen and more time in the food preparation. It will be worth it!
Boy, that certainly is going to be a life style change. Good thing he is still able to have wine - he's going to need something to enjoy!! I'm sure once you get used to a different way of cooking that fact that he is going to feel so much better will make it all worth it. Good luck
Good luck, I can't imagine life without corn, pasta, pizza and bread. Glad his symptoms are better though!
Me again, I am tagging you this time, see my CQ blog.
I'm not allergic but just can't keep my weight down when eating traditionally. I've been eating low carb for some time now and really have learned to love it. I'm losing weight, feel better and really can eat quite well. It was hard to give up bread, pasta, etc (but I admit I do have a bite or two once in a while) but overall I feel SO much better that it was worth it! Good Luck on your new journey! I'm sure that you'll find some wonderfully creative ways to make your food enjoyable!
Holy cow! One never knows, do one? I'm anticipating the great Moment of Truth on Monday -- have to visit the doctor for a physical. AAAARGH!
n, np
Good luck with the new diet regime. I'm happy that you discovered what was causing your husband's problem. Maybe there is a place online that shares recipes that are free of the gluten.
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