<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Sherill Roberts <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > My father's sister, who is 80 years old,....is not in good > health....My father asked her recently if it's possible she may have > had CD all along, but she emphatically denied it.... > 2) If so, if she were your aunt, would you say something to her at > this point in her life, or would you just let it go? There was an older woman in our support group that died about a year ago. She had been diagnosed with CD about five years earlier, and joined our support group shortly thereafter. She, too, had a colostomy several years earlier. From her symptoms it seemed rather likely that she had suffered from CD for many years before it was finally diagnosed. (To this day I have my suspicions about whether or not that colostomy had ever been necessary.) After she died our group received a letter from her husband, thanking us for all the help and support. Though saddened by her death, in his letter he rejoiced in the last five years of her life. With her diagnosis, she was able to recover sufficiently to allow them to travel and enjoy themselves. It's obvious that her husband is glad they didn't just "let it go" when the idea of CD was brought up. Sometimes, you don't know how bad you've been feeling until you start to feel better. It is only then that you realize how poor your health was. It will, of course, be your aunt's decision; but I certainly would advocate screening for CD. (But keep in mind I am NOT a doctor.) Fearing the hassles of a GF diet is not a reason to avoid finding out whether or not you have CD. Jim Lyles ........ <[log in to unmask]> ........ Holly, Michigan, USA