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I just got off the phone after speaking with my mother.  I am in Texas,
she is in California.  She is 74 years old and had a coronary bypass one
month ago.  Prior to the surgery her cardiologist suggested she might
have myleodysplasia because of an extremely low iron and folic acid
count.  At that time I called him to tell him about my celiac and that he
might look into that possibility.  At any rate, she had the surgery and
within two weeks of coming home was back in the hospital.  Diagnosis:
severe malnutrition that was making her recovery impossible.  Again, I
called and suggested celiac be considered.  The biopsy was performed and,
sure enough, celiac is the culprit.
 
I am alarmed because the hospital in which she is being treated seems to
know very little about celiac and she is getting lots of things she can't
eat.  Tonight she wanted to know if she could eat Kellogg's Rice
Krispies, Corn Flakes, or Crispix.  I've always avoided those products
and buy from a natural foods store.  So, I couldn't answer her question.
These are the choices the dietician is offering her for breakfast
tomorrow!  Can anyone give me some good advice fast?
 
I know her frustration, I've spent 9 years figuring out on my own what I
can and cannot eat.  This list has been a wonderful resource for me since
I recently discovered it.  Hopefully, more of the medical community will
become aware of the complexity of the diet, and more helpful in guiding
newly diagnosed patients.  I feel fortunate that I can pass on my
accumulated knowledge to my mother, and appreciate the additional info I
glean daily from the list.
 
Carol Fonken