Ep 161 A Child Diagnosis Story

A Conversation with Lisa Rigney

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

We’ve spoken before about some of the differences in the diagnosis of a child as opposed to an adult.  On this episode I speak with Lisa Rigney about how her daughter was diagnosed and some of the immediate changes it made to the family dynamic.  It’s easy in hindsight to look back and see some symptoms in a child that were clearly missed as the family went about their daily lives.  Lisa has recently begun working with the Edmonton Chapter of the CCA and hopes her family’s story will help others on the difficult journey of having a child diagnosed with celiac disease, when neither parent has been diagnosed.

Mother and Daughter

Sue’s Websites and Social Media

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts

As adults we are very conscious of what is normal and when we need to seek medical assistance.  If we’re having more and more urgent bathroom breaks than those around us; if we experience pain from eating that doesn’t seem to effect others; if we get sick more often and don’t get over things like our friends and relatives do – it’s time to seek medical help.

The story is different with children.  Many children suffering with the symptoms of celiac disease don’t know any different.  They don’t know what it’s like to go through a day without tummy upset.  Why would they, they’ve never experienced it. 

I remember back to before my diagnosis, and before I knew to have my daughters tested.  My oldest was always a whiny child, not fussy, just whiny.  She was pleasant in the morning, energetic and enthusiastic.  As the day worn on, she became “difficult”, she didn’t want to do anything with the rest of the family, she complained, not about anything in particular, but everything in general.  Then, the next morning, she was pleasant and lively again.

I remember she often got ear infections, which required an antibiotic.  A couple of the medications didn’t agree with her and caused her to be spending most of her time in the bathroom.

She was also small.  Our family is not tall in stature, but she was smaller than any of us.

These are the things I can look back on now, knowing she was diagnosed with celiac disease before her 5th birthday.  She was an early talker, and always had lots of words, but she couldn’t tell us that something was wrong, because to her it was normal to feel this way.  I, as her parent only thought she was a difficult child, not in the mornings, but as the day went on. I was able to explain away subtle symptoms, that I know now should have raised a bigger red flag. 

It wasn’t until I was diagnosed and then had both the girls tested that my oldest came back positive.  I didn’t know enough about celiac at the time to put all the pieces together, but now the pieces fit like a puzzle.  The celiac diagnosis of a child is rarely straight forward, but it’s a gift.  If I hadn’t been diagnosed, I can’t imagine how long she would have gone without having the puzzle pieces connected.  I am thankful for my diagnosis, not in small part, because it led to her diagnosis and as time went on, we were both able to get healthy together.

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