<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Before I describe this medical history, I need to warn you that it is rather
graphic,
if you choose to keep on reading.

I have celiac, as do my two children.  My mother's side of the family is
Ukrainian.
My mother is 75 and she was diagnosed with bladder cancer last year.  A few
weeks
ago, the doctors discovered a blockage, in what they thought was the large
intestine.
Today, my mother had major surgery.  The surgery was to create an ostomy from
the colon.  There were major complications.  The surgeon said that the small
intestines were filled with scar tissue and the intestines were stuck
together, instead
of being loose and pliable.  He said he had never seen anything like it.  My
mother had never had surgery in that area before.   She has developed many
auto immune conditions over the years such as rheumatoid antibodies,
Hashimotos thyroiditis,
unexplained hives, miscarriages, diverticulitis, etc.  I could never convince
any of her doctors that she might have CD and I could not convince her to try
the gluten free diet.

Her prognosis for survival is poor.  There is also a chance that she will not
regain use of her small intestines and will be unable to eat or digest food
again.  I will find out more from the doctors, but I believe, that given our
family history, that the extensive scar tissue in her small intestines is
really severe celiac disease that was never diagnosed.

Has anyone had any experience with this?  Any input or similar history would
be greatly appreciated.   If my mother is able to eat again, you had better
believe it will only be gluten free if I have anything to say about it.

Thank you in advance.

Jill

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