Continental NORAD Region Holiday Greeting 2014

What a miserable birthday. No gifts, cakes, people! Just me. And now my mate isn't coming for Christmas! EGAD!

July 4th, Burlington, VT will officially open their first Marijuana Dispensary on the waterfront. Sliding scales too! So I can afford it!

July 4th, Burlington, VT will officially open their first Marijuana Dispensary on the waterfront. Sliding scales too! So I can afford it!

Vermont

Vermont

Surgery

During my cancer surgery, a great deal of scar tissue was created. Gives me blockages, particularly Pyloric Valve blocks. On Monday, a simple Upper GI with a balloon on the end will be inserted near the valve to stretch it. Worked at Cleveland Clinic and Dartmouth. So...once again I go for surgery Monday (maybe Tuesday, maybe this weekend). But it will help. Good thing. Hurts to eat. A lot! Wish me "break legs!" — at 174 Maple Street #8.

Bad days...

Even the most careful people will, once in a while, accidentally eat Gluten. Remember. Celiac is NOT Lactose Intolerance. You can have cream In your coffee if Lactose Intolerant. Any trace of Gluten (say cooking breaded Chicken tenders in the same oil as French Fries or Chips), and you react. Migraines. Nausea. The works. It is more like a bee sting allergy. Unforgiving yes but also why you have to talk to chefs. (Luckily, McDonalds only cooks fries with fries. Safe there).

So bad days happen. Try to just get through the day. Know it will pass. Also know you have one of the least understood and under diagnosed diseases on the planet. Even if its frustrating "they" don't get you're tired. They will. Takes time. Be well. Stay warm.

One of the first things a Celiac has to do is learn to speak to chefs.  "Secret ingredients" will become a nightmare for you if you don't.  Most are okay with it, they don't have to disclose their secrets, just tell you whether or not there is Gluten in the food they serve (some places don't know honestly what is in their food...so be careful of that!)...

http://www.celiac.org is a helpful site.