The twins are coming! The twins are coming! I feel like Paul Revere, making the announcement that the British were on their way.
Truthfully, I don't know when my daughter's twins will make their way into this world, but Rachel looks like she is done! At nearly 37 weeks pregnant, she is huge! Her belly is gigantic. She can hardly walk, and she feels as if everything will soon fall out.
Our whole family is excited about the babies' impending birth. It has been a sacrifice for everyone who loves Rachel. Of course, she is the one with the sore back and swollen ankles, sleepless nights and nausea. However, her husband has had to be gracious with his emotional and sometimes impatient wife. Her family has had to put up with her frustrations and fears as she deals with an OB set in her ways. We have had to "lend" our children to her, almost every day. (I miss having the entire family home at once.) One of the children is always missing...or we have Rachel's boys here. She simply can't do it by herself.
Although it has been a sacrifice, if you were to ask me if it is worth all the time and effort we have invested in order to help bring two precious souls into this world, you KNOW my answer if you know me at all: OF COURSE! Absolutely. Positively. Rachel needs the help. We happen to have a family large enough to have plenty of helpers. And God knew it all beforehand!
I sat and watched Rachel this evening as she sat in her chair, feeling the babies move. The skin of her tummy is shiny, it is so stretched. It looks like a balloon ready to pop. Rachel looks tired, but happy. She murmurs to the babies as they stretch, and we see a little knee push out, or a foot defined and obvious. She smiles as her two year old talks about the babies and pats his mommy's tummy.
All is right with the world, and the babies are coming.
Soon!
Janet, soon to be a grandmother to 14!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Alive in Christ AND Fulfilled in Marriage! Imagine that!
I have never considered myself part of a movement. Yes, my husband and I were convicted as a young married couple to present our bodies a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable to God. That meant that we decided to use no birth control, and we joyfully received from the Hand of God the children He planned for us to have. We were "quiverfull" before the term was coined. We rejoiced in reading Mary Pride's "The Way Home", but it did not sway us. It just cemented what God had already taught us.
Yes, we have homeschooled our children all the way through (except for the eldest, who attended a Christian school for the first four years, and a public school for a short time.) When we began homeschooling, we did so because Deuteronomy makes it very clear that we are to teach our children when we sit down, when we rise up, when we walk by the way... all the time. There were no homeschoolers that we knew, no curriculum vendors, no public speakers. We were not part of the homeschool movement. We were simply Christian parents who wanted to raise our family to know and love the Lord, and to glorify His name.
Yes, I have been a stay-at-home mom for most of our nearly 34 years of marriage. I have tried to obey God's word and line myself up under my husband's leadership. Except for a short time as a part-time bus driver, and a short time as a Communications Co-ordinator for Carey Outreach Ministries, I have remained at home, serving my family. I guess I could be accused of being part of the "Patriarchal Movement". I don't see it that way. I was simply obeying the Word of God.
There is a discussion going on right now in cyber-space, and women who are Christians AND feminists are up in arms, decrying those who decide that large families, homeschooling, and traditional roles for men and women are God's plan for their lives. In other words, people like me and my daughters are apparently deluded or under some sort of legalized bondage. We simply can't know what it is to be Alive in Christ if we are stay-at-home moms with large families who are under our husband's authority.
I will quote one of the comments on the "true womanhood" site:
Yes, we have homeschooled our children all the way through (except for the eldest, who attended a Christian school for the first four years, and a public school for a short time.) When we began homeschooling, we did so because Deuteronomy makes it very clear that we are to teach our children when we sit down, when we rise up, when we walk by the way... all the time. There were no homeschoolers that we knew, no curriculum vendors, no public speakers. We were not part of the homeschool movement. We were simply Christian parents who wanted to raise our family to know and love the Lord, and to glorify His name.
Yes, I have been a stay-at-home mom for most of our nearly 34 years of marriage. I have tried to obey God's word and line myself up under my husband's leadership. Except for a short time as a part-time bus driver, and a short time as a Communications Co-ordinator for Carey Outreach Ministries, I have remained at home, serving my family. I guess I could be accused of being part of the "Patriarchal Movement". I don't see it that way. I was simply obeying the Word of God.
There is a discussion going on right now in cyber-space, and women who are Christians AND feminists are up in arms, decrying those who decide that large families, homeschooling, and traditional roles for men and women are God's plan for their lives. In other words, people like me and my daughters are apparently deluded or under some sort of legalized bondage. We simply can't know what it is to be Alive in Christ if we are stay-at-home moms with large families who are under our husband's authority.
I will quote one of the comments on the "true womanhood" site:
Imagine it… where would you rather be when you’re thirty, when you wake up and read what the Bible REALLY has to say??? Would you like to have 7 children already and a husband you have trouble respecting because he abuses his leadership, or be single and in a position to start your life fresh????? Marriage is for keeps… there’s no sending children back… so say you did wake up in this situation, you’re only option is to pray for a miracle in your husband’s heart!!!! While you gradually become the outcast, because everyone in your circle will eventually catch on to your “rebellion”.
Or, you can grieve for the years that bondage to legalism stole from you, but you can pick yourself up, pray that God would redeem the years that the locusts have eaten, and start living like an ALIVE woman in Christ.
You know, I have been married to the same man for nearly 34 years. I have kept his home and done his laundry (but not always his socks! - at least not always on time!!) and made his meals and answered his telephone and done his errands and carried and birthed and nursed his children. I have taught his children, prayed with his children, and delighted in his children - for they are mine, too!
I haven't woken up and felt that all of those years and all of those tasks were wasted. In fact, I believe that God is pleased with my servant's heart, and that He is glorified by my nose-wiping and my dish-doing and my child-rearing.
When I examine my life in Christ, I realize that God has used my marriage and my children to refine my rough edges and make me more Christ-like. How would I have learned patience and trust in a Sovereign God, were it not for wayward children? How would I have learned submission, were it not for a husband who did not always see things my way? How would I have learned applied theology, were it not for teaching my children the catechism, and having heated discussions with my husband regarding the doctrines of grace or the role of women? As iron sharpens iron, so my relationship with Rick and the children God has given us has sharpened me.
How would working outside the home have been more fulfilling? Having to get up early in the morning, fight the traffic, arrive on time, sit in meetings... how is that more blessed? How could having a boss other than my husband have been better? My husband respects me. He knows my strengths. He encourages me in my talents. No boss can ever know me like Rick knows me...I haven't the time left on this earth to invest 34 years in another relationship.
The poster above says
She says that like it is a bad thing to pray. However, we who are Christians know that it is a privilege to enter the throne room and petition Almighty God on behalf of someone we love. It is a privilege and joy to have a relationship with one man, and to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ together.
Oh, you young thing... how sad I feel for you. How you have missed the joy of learning by paradox that the way down is the way up, and that to be low is to be hight. You have missed that to give is to receive, and that to have nothing is to possess everything. You know nothing of the joy of servanthood, and you have failed to realize that we are most like Christ when we share in His sufferings.
Jesus made himself of no reputation. He did not seek after degrees or recognition. He was content to stay in a tiny area and minister to a miniscule group of unimportant people.
Kind of like a stay at home mom, under the authority of her loving husband, ministering to her children.
Alive in Christ, I'd say.
Janet
I haven't woken up and felt that all of those years and all of those tasks were wasted. In fact, I believe that God is pleased with my servant's heart, and that He is glorified by my nose-wiping and my dish-doing and my child-rearing.
When I examine my life in Christ, I realize that God has used my marriage and my children to refine my rough edges and make me more Christ-like. How would I have learned patience and trust in a Sovereign God, were it not for wayward children? How would I have learned submission, were it not for a husband who did not always see things my way? How would I have learned applied theology, were it not for teaching my children the catechism, and having heated discussions with my husband regarding the doctrines of grace or the role of women? As iron sharpens iron, so my relationship with Rick and the children God has given us has sharpened me.
How would working outside the home have been more fulfilling? Having to get up early in the morning, fight the traffic, arrive on time, sit in meetings... how is that more blessed? How could having a boss other than my husband have been better? My husband respects me. He knows my strengths. He encourages me in my talents. No boss can ever know me like Rick knows me...I haven't the time left on this earth to invest 34 years in another relationship.
The poster above says
"you're (your!) only option is to pray for a miracle in your husband's heart!"
She says that like it is a bad thing to pray. However, we who are Christians know that it is a privilege to enter the throne room and petition Almighty God on behalf of someone we love. It is a privilege and joy to have a relationship with one man, and to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ together.
Oh, you young thing... how sad I feel for you. How you have missed the joy of learning by paradox that the way down is the way up, and that to be low is to be hight. You have missed that to give is to receive, and that to have nothing is to possess everything. You know nothing of the joy of servanthood, and you have failed to realize that we are most like Christ when we share in His sufferings.
Jesus made himself of no reputation. He did not seek after degrees or recognition. He was content to stay in a tiny area and minister to a miniscule group of unimportant people.
Kind of like a stay at home mom, under the authority of her loving husband, ministering to her children.
Alive in Christ, I'd say.
Janet
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Dealing with Labour - My response to Amy.
Amy wrote in Amy's Humble Musings, "In this way, it is possible that two people can perform the same action and one is sin and the other is not. If I end my fertility because I am afraid of labor, it is much different than ending it to receive cancer treatments. One decision is made in fear and the other in faith.
The other problem with this scenario is that life is too cruel to allow a person to escape a trial that easily. If it is not one thing, it will be another. Better to face it head on and say once and for all, “I fear God and Him only.”"
Amy, THIS was an interesting comment. I’ll get to it in a minute.
As you may remember, I am the mother of 12 children. My pregnancies weren’t easy, and my deliveries were all different. The first was a 19 hour marathon, with all of the typical hazards of giving birth in a hospital in the 70’s: shave prep, enema, vomiting through transition, episiotomy, etc. I was blessed to have taken a “Lamaze Method of Natural Childbirth” class, and I honestly believe that knowing as much as I did helped me to cope. My 8 lb baby was beautiful and alert, and I was exhilarated to have accomplished the feat.
Subsequent deliveries were progressively shorter until I settled into a pattern of about three hours of very hard labour. I dreaded the whole thing - both the labour and the delivery. However, I put my trust in the living God, knowing full well that it was HE that had blessed us, and that He would be with me, no matter what.
The sixth baby was three weeks overdue. I had to be induced. She was sick for a week, on iv… not a lot of fun. Seventh was similar, though only 10 days overdue. Doctor induced me, and I experienced the worst pain of my life. The contractions started suddenly, stayed unremittingly, and ended with the birth of a 10 and a half pound baby girl 55 minutes later. I prayed that God would take my life. I didn’t think any human being could endure such pain without a heart attack. Apparently, I was wrong.
The 8th was a placenta previa pregnancy. I would have to have a C-section. Blessed thought! I really was relieved that I would not have to experience the pain of labour and delivery. The C-section wasn’t all that bad, but the fact that my baby nearly died made me think that I could, in fact, go through another delivery, if the Lord would choose.
My ninth was actually not that bad, until he got stuck at the shoulders. The tenth was fine (painful, but endurable), and the Lord sustained me with the 23rd Psalm. I was blessed to have a picture of a person walking through deep woods on the wall, and I meditated on “yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…”. After baby #10 was born, my placenta broke and I retained half of it, nearly bleeding out. After watching the docs pump blood into me with a blood pressure cuff around the bag to pump it in quicker, I knew that my survival was in the hands of God. I felt great peace, and was actually surprised when I woke up from surgery, alive.
During the eleventh pregnancy, I absolutely dreaded the pain. I wasn’t afraid to die, but was dreading the whole experience. I prayed and prayed and prayed some more. I told my husband how much I feared the delivery, and he prayed, too. My eleventh delivery was by far the best: I had contractions three minutes apart, with a real break between (unheard of…with all the previous labours, the tightness and pain never let up, but with this one, my uterus completely relaxed between contractions!!). This continued right through delivery. It was amazing. Three hours start to finish, and a 9 and a half pound baby, with all of that time to relax between contractions! Wow! If all labours could only be that good. Let it give you hope for the next one, Amy. My eleventh was the very best one!
I lost the 12th pregnancy with a miscarriage at 13 weeks. My 12th baby was born via C-section, due to another placenta previa.
Now we get to your comment:
"In this way, it is possible that two people can perform the same action and one is sin and the other is not. If I end my fertility because I am afraid of labor, it is much different than ending it to receive cancer treatments. One decision is made in fear and the other in faith."
We made the decision to end my fertility after all of the pregnancies, deliveries and complications. I was 44, and just didn’t have the energy ( some would say faith!) to go through it again. You can not imagine how many well-meaning Christians rebuked me for my lack of faith.
To be truthful, I do believe the decision was made with both fear and faith in mind. My husband chose life, my life. He felt none of the angst that I experienced after our decision. I did fear the thought of going through that all over again. I didn’t want to be separated from my children for months at a time again. Twice was enough.
You also wrote:
"The other problem with this scenario is that life is too cruel to allow a person to escape a trial that easily. If it is not one thing, it will be another. Better to face it head on and say once and for all, “I fear God and Him only.” "
Amy, I can hear Elisabeth Elliot in these sentences. I agree that it is better to face the trials of life head-on. God gives grace. He really does. He gives the grace to endure the pain of childbirth, and he gives the grace to endure the rebuke and judgment of others. He is Sovereign. All things really do work together for good to those who love Him, to those who have been called to be His children.
I believe that your experiences have been used of the Lord. You have written so candidly, and countless women have been encouraged and blessed by your honest sharing…even when you were sharing the confusion you felt when you suffered so much.
I would recommend that you consider writing a book in response to “Supernatural Childbirth”. Of course, you’ll have to do so in your spare time. :biggrin_wp:
Blessings,
Janet
The other problem with this scenario is that life is too cruel to allow a person to escape a trial that easily. If it is not one thing, it will be another. Better to face it head on and say once and for all, “I fear God and Him only.”"
Amy, THIS was an interesting comment. I’ll get to it in a minute.
As you may remember, I am the mother of 12 children. My pregnancies weren’t easy, and my deliveries were all different. The first was a 19 hour marathon, with all of the typical hazards of giving birth in a hospital in the 70’s: shave prep, enema, vomiting through transition, episiotomy, etc. I was blessed to have taken a “Lamaze Method of Natural Childbirth” class, and I honestly believe that knowing as much as I did helped me to cope. My 8 lb baby was beautiful and alert, and I was exhilarated to have accomplished the feat.
Subsequent deliveries were progressively shorter until I settled into a pattern of about three hours of very hard labour. I dreaded the whole thing - both the labour and the delivery. However, I put my trust in the living God, knowing full well that it was HE that had blessed us, and that He would be with me, no matter what.
The sixth baby was three weeks overdue. I had to be induced. She was sick for a week, on iv… not a lot of fun. Seventh was similar, though only 10 days overdue. Doctor induced me, and I experienced the worst pain of my life. The contractions started suddenly, stayed unremittingly, and ended with the birth of a 10 and a half pound baby girl 55 minutes later. I prayed that God would take my life. I didn’t think any human being could endure such pain without a heart attack. Apparently, I was wrong.
The 8th was a placenta previa pregnancy. I would have to have a C-section. Blessed thought! I really was relieved that I would not have to experience the pain of labour and delivery. The C-section wasn’t all that bad, but the fact that my baby nearly died made me think that I could, in fact, go through another delivery, if the Lord would choose.
My ninth was actually not that bad, until he got stuck at the shoulders. The tenth was fine (painful, but endurable), and the Lord sustained me with the 23rd Psalm. I was blessed to have a picture of a person walking through deep woods on the wall, and I meditated on “yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…”. After baby #10 was born, my placenta broke and I retained half of it, nearly bleeding out. After watching the docs pump blood into me with a blood pressure cuff around the bag to pump it in quicker, I knew that my survival was in the hands of God. I felt great peace, and was actually surprised when I woke up from surgery, alive.
During the eleventh pregnancy, I absolutely dreaded the pain. I wasn’t afraid to die, but was dreading the whole experience. I prayed and prayed and prayed some more. I told my husband how much I feared the delivery, and he prayed, too. My eleventh delivery was by far the best: I had contractions three minutes apart, with a real break between (unheard of…with all the previous labours, the tightness and pain never let up, but with this one, my uterus completely relaxed between contractions!!). This continued right through delivery. It was amazing. Three hours start to finish, and a 9 and a half pound baby, with all of that time to relax between contractions! Wow! If all labours could only be that good. Let it give you hope for the next one, Amy. My eleventh was the very best one!
I lost the 12th pregnancy with a miscarriage at 13 weeks. My 12th baby was born via C-section, due to another placenta previa.
Now we get to your comment:
"In this way, it is possible that two people can perform the same action and one is sin and the other is not. If I end my fertility because I am afraid of labor, it is much different than ending it to receive cancer treatments. One decision is made in fear and the other in faith."
We made the decision to end my fertility after all of the pregnancies, deliveries and complications. I was 44, and just didn’t have the energy ( some would say faith!) to go through it again. You can not imagine how many well-meaning Christians rebuked me for my lack of faith.
To be truthful, I do believe the decision was made with both fear and faith in mind. My husband chose life, my life. He felt none of the angst that I experienced after our decision. I did fear the thought of going through that all over again. I didn’t want to be separated from my children for months at a time again. Twice was enough.
You also wrote:
"The other problem with this scenario is that life is too cruel to allow a person to escape a trial that easily. If it is not one thing, it will be another. Better to face it head on and say once and for all, “I fear God and Him only.” "
Amy, I can hear Elisabeth Elliot in these sentences. I agree that it is better to face the trials of life head-on. God gives grace. He really does. He gives the grace to endure the pain of childbirth, and he gives the grace to endure the rebuke and judgment of others. He is Sovereign. All things really do work together for good to those who love Him, to those who have been called to be His children.
I believe that your experiences have been used of the Lord. You have written so candidly, and countless women have been encouraged and blessed by your honest sharing…even when you were sharing the confusion you felt when you suffered so much.
I would recommend that you consider writing a book in response to “Supernatural Childbirth”. Of course, you’ll have to do so in your spare time. :biggrin_wp:
Blessings,
Janet
Monday, July 02, 2007
Dominion Day, 2007
O
O
True patriot-love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North, strong and free,
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow,
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!
O Canada, glorious and free! etc.
O
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to
Our own beloved native land!
Our True North, strong and free!
0
Ruler Supreme, Who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion in Thy loving care.
Help us to find, O God, in Thee,
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day
We ever stand on guard.
O Canada, glorious and free! etc.
Lord of the Lands!
The following version is by Albert Durrant Watson:
Lord of the lands, beneath Thy bending skies,
On field and flood, where'er our banner flies,
Thy people lift their hearts to Thee,
Their grateful voices raise:
May our Dominion ever be A temple to Thy praise.
Thy will alone let all enthrone;
Lord of the lands, make
Lord of the lands, make
Almighty Love, by Thy mysterious power,
In wisdom guide, with faith and freedom dower;
Be ours a nation evermore
That no oppression blights,
Where justice rules from shore to shore,
From lakes to northern lights.
May love alone for wrong atone;
Lord of the lands, make
Lord of the lands, make
Lord of the worlds, with strong eternal hand,
Hold us in honour, truth and self-command;
The loyal heart, the constant mind,
The courage to be true,
Our wide extending Empire bind,
And all the earth renew.
Thy Name be known through every zone;
Lord of the worlds, make all the lands Thine own;
Lord of the worlds, make all the lands Thine own!
Greater still is pondering the Glory of God and His control over the nations, including Canada.
Psalm 8:6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; You have put all things under his feet. When I read Psalm 8, I am astounded that God would exalt sinful, lowly humanity, giving them dominion over all of His creation.Psalm 72: May he have dominion from sea to sea. (Ad mare usque ad mare!) Psalm 72 tells us what that dominion should look like, in practical terms:
*we ought to be a nation that judges people with righteousness. Sadly, a regular reader of the papers or Reader's Digest (That's Outrageous!) will see corruption and unfair practices happening throughout Canada. We must pray for those in authority, including police officers and judges.
*We ought to defend the cause of the poor. Yet poverty abounds, and the rich get richer while the poor stay stuck in a rut with no way out. An education will almost bankrupt a student.
*We ought to give deliverance to the children of the needy. Yet abortion still takes place in this country, despite the fact that the number one wish on CBC's wish list was that there would be no more killing of Canadian babies.
*We ought to crush the oppressor. Yet the people of Canada are whining about soldiers dying in Afghanistan, instead of supporting the troops that are going after the Taliban, or other such oppressors of women and children.
It is the Christian's responsibility to PRAY for his nation. We are to humble ourselves and pray. According to 2 Chronicles 6:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Oh, Lord, help me to do so, each and every day. And thank you for ordaining that I should be born a Canadian.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Celiac Disease
Most of our family has celiac disease, or Gluten Sensitive Enteropathy. The list of symptoms family members have or have had is extensive: chronic anemia, bloating, dysmenorrhea, bowel problems, skin problems, canker sores, gut pain, sore joints, arthritis, seizures, migraines, dark circles under the eyes, etc. We are thankful that my sister discovered she had a problem with wheat in 1999, and told me about it. We are hopeful that our grandchildren won't suffer the same way we have for many years. Both my mother and my grandmother died at a young age of cancer. I hope that I have changed my lifestyle early enough and drastically enough to prevent the same illness for myself.
A lifelong autoimmune intestinal disorder, found in individuals who are genetically susceptible. Damage to the mucosal surface of the small intestine is caused by an immunologically toxic reaction to the ingestion of gluten and interferes with the absorption of nutrients. Celiac Disease (CD) is unique in that a specific food component, gluten, has been identified as the trigger. Gluten is the common name for the offending proteins in specific cereal grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in all forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn, and faro), and related grains: rye, barley, and triticale and must be eliminated.
A lifelong autoimmune intestinal disorder, found in individuals who are genetically susceptible. Damage to the mucosal surface of the small intestine is caused by an immunologically toxic reaction to the ingestion of gluten and interferes with the absorption of nutrients. Celiac Disease (CD) is unique in that a specific food component, gluten, has been identified as the trigger. Gluten is the common name for the offending proteins in specific cereal grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in all forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn, and faro), and related grains: rye, barley, and triticale and must be eliminated.
What Happens With Celiac Disease
When individuals with CD ingest gluten, the villi, tiny hair-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from food, are damaged. This is due to an immunological reaction to gluten. Damaged villi do not effectively absorb basic nutrients -- proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and, in some cases, water and bile salts. If CD is left untreated, damage to the small bowel can be chronic and life threatening, causing an increased risk of associated disorders -- both nutritional and immune related.
Some long-term conditions that can result from untreated CD:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Osteoporosis
- Vitamin K deficiency associated with risk for hemorrhaging
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Central and peripheral nervous system disorders -- usually due to unsuspected nutrient deficiencies
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Intestinal Lymphomas and other GI cancers
- Lactose intolerance
- Neurological manifestations
Other associated autoimmune disorders:
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)
- Insulin-dependent Type I Diabetes Mellitus
- Thyroid Disease
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Liver Diseases
Less commonly linked to CD:
- Addison’s Disease
- Chronic Active Hepatitis
- Down Syndrome
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Turner Syndrome
- Williams Syndrome
- Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Alopecia Areata
- Scleroderma
Cause
The cause of Celiac Disease, also known as celiac sprue, or gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), is unknown. Research indicates that CD is strongly associated with a group of genes on Chromosome 6. These genes (HLA class II) are involved in the regulation of the body's immune response to the gluten protein fractions.
One out of 133 people in the United States is affected with celiac disease. CD occurs in 5-15% of the offspring and siblings of a person with celiac disease. In 70% of identical twin pairs, both twins have the disease. It is strongly suggested that family members be tested, even if asymptomatic. Family members who have an autoimmune disease are at a 25% increased risk of having celiac disease.
Symptoms
TreatmentCeliac Disease may appear at any time in a person's life. The disease can be triggered for the first time after surgery, viral infection, severe emotional stress, pregnancy or childbirth. CD is a multi-system, multi-symptom disorder. Symptoms are extremely varied and can often mimic other bowel disorders. Infants, toddlers, and children often exhibit growth failure, vomiting, bloated abdomen and behavioral changes.
Classic symptoms may include:
- abdominal cramping, intestinal gas, distention and bloating
- chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both)
- steatorrhea -- fatty stools
- anemia - unexplained, due to folic acid, B12, or iron deficiency (or all)
- weight loss with large appetite, or weight gain
Other symptoms:
- dental enamel defects
- osteopenia, osteoporosis
- bone or joint pain
- fatigue, weakness and lack of energy
- infertility - male/female
- depression
- Aphthous ulcers
Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) is skin manifestation of celiac disease characterized by blistering, intensely itchy skin. The rash has a symmetrical distribution and is most frequently found on the face, elbows, knees and buttocks. DH patients can have gastrointestinal damage without perceptible symptoms
The only treatment for CD/DH is the lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, the small intestine will start to heal and overall health improves. Medication is not normally required. Because osteoporosis is common and may be profound in patients with newly diagnosed CD, bone density should be measured at or shortly after diagnosis. Consult your physician regarding specific nutritional supplementation to correct any deficiencies. The diagnosed celiac should have medical follow-up to monitor the clinical response to the gluten-free diet. Dietary compliance increases the quality of life and decreases the likelihood of osteoporosis, intestinal lymphoma and other associated illnesses.
Adapting to the gluten-free diet requires some lifestyle changes. It is essential to read labels which are often imprecise, and to learn how to identify ingredients that may contain hidden gluten.
Be aware that hidden gluten can be found in some unlikely foods such as: cold cuts, soups, hard candies, soy sauce, many low or non-fat products, even licorice and jelly beans.
Potential harmful ingredients include:
- unidentified starch
- modified food starch
- hydrolyzed vegetable protein - HVP
- hydrolyzed plant protein - HPP
- texturized vegetable protein - TVP
- binders
- fillers
- excipients
- extenders
- malt
Gluten may also be used as a binder in some pharmaceutical products. Request clarification from food and drug manufacturers when necessary.
Duck (?) Pond
I have a pond in my front yard. It's been there about three years, and I really enjoy it. The water trickling down over the rocks gives a soothing sound to the patio, and the lilies are spectacular! We enjoy the tadpoles, frogs, and various other water creatures that have found their way to this spot, but I particularly love my goldfish. I have been growing them for three years, taking them in during the winter, and putting them back into the pond each spring. I love to watch them swim through the lilies or dart in and out of the rocks.
This year I have two problems: my pond is green. I can't see my fish. I have treated the pond with algae eater that will work over time, and I am waiting patiently, sort of.
We do have ducks, which are NOT allowed in my pond. They have their own swimming pool, literally (an old child's pool that has been given over to the ducks), and they have been told in no uncertain terms that they are not permitted to crash my pond and wreck my lilies, and especially, they are NOT allowed to EAT my fish!
Imagine my dismay this afternoon when I walked out my front door to see a duck, dipping in the pond, tail feathers on display. I hurried down the steps to chase the culprit from the pond, in order to save the lives of my hapless goldfish.
Upon closer inspection, what looked like the rear end of a duck was actually grandson Stewart's discarded Pull-Up diaper. He was finished with it, and I suppose he thought that tossing it into Granny's pond was as good a place as any to rid himself of the hated thing.
I wish my digital camera was working... I don't know which was funnier: the diaper "duck" or the look on my face. GRIN!
This year I have two problems: my pond is green. I can't see my fish. I have treated the pond with algae eater that will work over time, and I am waiting patiently, sort of.
We do have ducks, which are NOT allowed in my pond. They have their own swimming pool, literally (an old child's pool that has been given over to the ducks), and they have been told in no uncertain terms that they are not permitted to crash my pond and wreck my lilies, and especially, they are NOT allowed to EAT my fish!
Imagine my dismay this afternoon when I walked out my front door to see a duck, dipping in the pond, tail feathers on display. I hurried down the steps to chase the culprit from the pond, in order to save the lives of my hapless goldfish.
Upon closer inspection, what looked like the rear end of a duck was actually grandson Stewart's discarded Pull-Up diaper. He was finished with it, and I suppose he thought that tossing it into Granny's pond was as good a place as any to rid himself of the hated thing.
I wish my digital camera was working... I don't know which was funnier: the diaper "duck" or the look on my face. GRIN!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Asimov and Progress
The children and I are busy organizing our rather substantial library. I came across a couple of general anatomy books written by Isaac Asimov. I had heard of Asimov, but didn't know much more about him than the fact that he was a science fiction writer. I went online to Wikipedia and found all I need to know right now, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimov
I learned that Isaac Asimov, although brilliant, was not a Christian. He wrote books about the Old and New Testaments, but considered the Bible to be merely Jewish myth, in a similar manner to the Iliad being Greek myth.
As I was discussing this with my children, it came to me that my 7 year old son, Christopher, is more wise than Isaac Asimov ever was. Christopher is not a member of Mensa nor the Humanist Foundation. He has written no books, given no lectures, and outside of friends and family, he is known by nobody. Asimov was well-known throughout the world.
But my young son sat at the table this morning, listening to his mother read "Pilgrim's Progress". He was able to articulate that God is the one who rescued Pilgrim, and that the Holy Spirit is the Guide of the Christian. He knows that although the Devil wants to pour water on us to quench our fire, Jesus stands behind the wall and pours oil on our fire, causing its flame to burn brighter and higher in spite of temptation and adversity.
Critter prayed, "Dear Lord, thank you that we can sit around the table and read "Pilgrim's Progress", and learn about You." And even though he still says "Pwogwess" instead of "Progress", I would say that he is farther on his journey to the Celestial City than Isaac Asimov or any other brilliant atheist will ever be -- unless, by God's grace, they bow the knee and confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believe.
Father, thank you for reminding me out of the mouth of my "babe", that salvation is by Your grace. Thank you for journeying with Your children through this life that is filled with many trials. Thank you that You will never, ever leave us, nor forsake us. And thank you so much that You have opened the eyes of my children, so they, too, can give thanks.
I learned that Isaac Asimov, although brilliant, was not a Christian. He wrote books about the Old and New Testaments, but considered the Bible to be merely Jewish myth, in a similar manner to the Iliad being Greek myth.
As I was discussing this with my children, it came to me that my 7 year old son, Christopher, is more wise than Isaac Asimov ever was. Christopher is not a member of Mensa nor the Humanist Foundation. He has written no books, given no lectures, and outside of friends and family, he is known by nobody. Asimov was well-known throughout the world.
But my young son sat at the table this morning, listening to his mother read "Pilgrim's Progress". He was able to articulate that God is the one who rescued Pilgrim, and that the Holy Spirit is the Guide of the Christian. He knows that although the Devil wants to pour water on us to quench our fire, Jesus stands behind the wall and pours oil on our fire, causing its flame to burn brighter and higher in spite of temptation and adversity.
Critter prayed, "Dear Lord, thank you that we can sit around the table and read "Pilgrim's Progress", and learn about You." And even though he still says "Pwogwess" instead of "Progress", I would say that he is farther on his journey to the Celestial City than Isaac Asimov or any other brilliant atheist will ever be -- unless, by God's grace, they bow the knee and confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believe.
Father, thank you for reminding me out of the mouth of my "babe", that salvation is by Your grace. Thank you for journeying with Your children through this life that is filled with many trials. Thank you that You will never, ever leave us, nor forsake us. And thank you so much that You have opened the eyes of my children, so they, too, can give thanks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
