Mary Janssen

Hometown

Victoria, TX

Joie de VIVre

Spending time with my family — my children, Nicholas, 19, and Melanie, 17, are my pride and joy. I have been married to a wonderful husband, Doug, for 23 years and my parents are the source of who I am and what I have accomplished. Pilates and Muscle Flex classes help me to feel strong. Most of all I love God and what he has done for me.

VIV Moment

My VIV Moment occurred in September 2009, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease. That day, I learned that I had been unknowingly hurting my body for more than 15 years and realized that I could stop and begin to heal.

For years, I had suffered from stomach cramps, gas pains and occasional vomiting, as well as bloating, which I covered with baggy clothes. I had been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, which I treated with every pill, liquid and strip that was on the market. None of this helped.

Finally, I had reached the point where I was feeling bad nine days out of 10. My husband called me while I was at work in September of last year and told me that I had a doctor appointment. Reluctantly, I saw this doctor and underwent a sonogram, X-rays, a CAT scan and blood tests — including a celiac blood test. When the results came in, the doctor was so shocked, he asked me to take a repeat blood test. I finally had a diagnosis.

I was angry that I had been misdiagnosed for so long, but then I was happy that I finally knew what was wrong with me, and that I could do something about it.

Celiac Disease is a digestive disorder — a toxic reaction to gluten by the immune system that damages the small intestine and does not allow for the proper absorption of nutrients. (Irritable bowel syndrome affects the large intestine.)

The average time people wait until they get a correct diagnosis for celiac disease is 11 years. It is becoming more common — as many as 1 in 133 Americans are thought to suffer from the digestive disorder — but only 3 percent of the patients have the correct diagnosis. This is something that needs to be changed. If left untreated, the consequences can be serious, and the risks of developing autoimmune disorders, neurological problems, reproductive issues, osteoporosis and cancer are increased.

After eight weeks on a gluten-free diet, I  started to feel better; after four months, I no longer had bloating, gas and pain. Eliminating gluten — found in wheat, rye and barley — has made a big difference in some parts of my body, though I still have foot cramps, no foot padding and hair loss. But without the daily pain and bloating I am able to enjoy more activities.

It’s been very difficult adjusting to my new diet. I went through a down time where I was really depressed about my new diet.  I have always enjoyed eating pastries, pasta, bread, crackers, etc.  Now if I ingest only 1/8 teaspoon of gluten, my small intestine will be damaged for 6 to 8 weeks.  Gluten is hidden in many products and listed under many different names.  I’ve had to learn all this and read all labels very carefully.  When I’m cooking for my family, I can’t taste the food to see if it’s seasoned enough. But I am not tempted to eat the wrong foods because I know what it does to me.

I now have a new life, and I hope my story is helpful to other people who suffer the same symptoms and have yet to be diagnosed.

Tags: autoimmune disorders, Biology, Bloating, Cancer, CAT, celiac disease, Coeliac disease, digestive disorder, food, foot cramps, gas pains, Gastroenterology, Gluten, Gluten sensitivity, Gluten-free diet, Health/Medical/Pharmaceuticals, Intestine, Irritable bowel syndrome, Medicine, occasional vomiting, osteoporosis, pain, pains, Small intestine, stomach cramps, Wheat