Preparing for an endoscopy

My babycake was now going to have a procedure to confirm her diet change.  She would have an endoscopy which would require for her to be sedated. Before she was in the hands of the capable doctors, I did the best I could to prepare her. I took her to the pediatric prepare unit at UCSF to visit with a Child Life specialist and we did a little bit of medical play with the dolls on site. Then we each took turns blowing bubbles through an induction mask so she would get used to breathing in the mask before her procedure began. Soon her endoscopy would begin so I held her tight and said a little prayer that everything would be alright. Perhaps we would be able to confirm answers to our infinite questions. I tried to comfort her as she sat in my lap. She cried a little as I held her induction mask over her mouth while still trying to suck on her binky. I also held the practice mask over my mouth and whisper, "Breathe, just like we practiced."  Her body soon lay limp in my arms and I said a difficult goodbye.


Her confirmed diagnosis after the endoscopy changed the way we eat as a family. Her twin brother was diagnosed a year after her. I have learned a lot as a mom taking care of kids with Celiac and I am always trying to learn more. I decided to blog about my findings to keep myself organized. So glutenfreeteacups.blogspot.com was born and I hope our gluten free adventures can help other moms and dads taking care of children with gluten intolerance.

In the beginning before we knew

4/25/07

7/21/08

My scrumptious cupcake changed dramatically in fifteen months and we weren't sure why. This babygirl had a sensatiable appetite and would eat anything gave her.  Hence we thought her protruding stomach was the result of a wonderful appetite.  At night, she would sometimes grow restless and we assumed she had growing pains. However, this was not the case. Her excretion was different so I spoke to my doctor about it. At her next pediatric visit the the doctor mentioned that she should have a simple blood test to analyze her gliaden levels since comes from a long line of Northern European descendants.  The results of the TTG blood test were positive for celiac disease so in order to confirm this new gluten free lifestyle change, the doctor ordered an endoscopy.