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Dear Listmoms and Dads,

Thank you all so much for all your support and information during my time
of panic.  After putting my daughter back on the basics for a few days, she
is completely recovered and back to her sweet self.
She has gained so much weight and has grown so much, we had to buy her new
clothes for the rest of the winter!!!  I was thrilled.  Her ribs and
shoulders don't stick out and her face is actually round!!!  Her dark
circles under her eyes are gone and she is so beautiful now that her eyes
are not sunken in.

What I realized is that I was using the CSA food guide as gospel even
though it clearly states to check with the manufacturers before using any
products listed in it.  I called Quaker and found that the Quaker Cocoa
Blast cereal and Quaker puffed rice are GF according to the ingredients,
but are processed on the same equipment as the other cereals, and even
though they clean it, they cannot guarantee that it is GF.  I also called
Kelloggs about Corn Pops, and they said the same thing.  They did inform me
that they have one cereal (Puffed Rice) that is guaranteed to be GF because
it is manufactured on totally separate equipment.  It can be mail ordered
only as it is not sold in stores.  The number to call for an order form is
1 (800)962-1413.  We also use Nature's Path Honeyed Corn Flakes and Crisp
Rice from EnerG foods.  I guess my daughter is more sensitive than I
thought.  We are now being extra careful and calling every manufacturer of
every food that goes into her mouth.

I appreciated all the advice about how to be careful with her like:

- calling every manufacturer and asking for the quality control department
or the food scientist instead of the customer service rep. to make sure
that all issues are discussed.

-like making sure she is not getting anything at school (we already knew
that)

- putting the whole family on the diet to reduce the chance of cross
contamination in the kitchen (we have because I hate to cook and if I'm
going to cook, it's GF or nothing - my family loves that I am cooking and
my teenage son now makes it a point to be home for our homecooked GF meals)
Also having separate toasters, cutting boards, butter dishes, etc.

- keeping it simple with lots of fruits and veggies and no processed foods,


-sending her food with her to school, parties, friends houses etc. (we have
been doing that all along to help her "fit in".  The kids usually want what
she has brought)

-lots of suggestions for breakfast like GF cereals I mentioned above,
scrambled tofu, Van's GF waffles, GF pancakes and Mochi etc.

-making sure relatives and friends know that even a little slip increases
her chances of lymphoma and colon cancer.

My daughter has also hooked up with many e-mail pen pals.  She is very good
about sticking to the diet because she says  "I don't want to feel bad or
die".  It helps her to know other kids are just like her.  She is an
example for us all.

Have any other parents noticed personality changes in their children when
there is a gluten slip?  My husband and I are curious to know if this is a
common characteristic in CD kids or if our daughter is reacting this way
for some other reason.  One parent wrote that they have a dairy allergic
child who was ADHD until taken off all dairy.  Our daughter is also dairy
and egg allergic.  Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks for everything.  You are the most wonderful people in the world.
G-d bless.

Warmly,

Bev Wahl
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