Sweet Faces of Celiac Disease: Meet Weston

Weston is 4 years old and was diagnosed at 2 1/2 years old with celiac disease. 

What symptoms was your child having before being diagnosed?

Weston started complaining of tummy pain, mostly when eating. He was never doubled over in pain, so I figured it was his way of saying he was done eating. He'd always eat a large breakfast and hardly anything the rest of the day. On two occasions he got really sweaty when having a stool and would fall asleep right after. I finally took him into the doctor when he was having very foul and mucous stools and seemed to be losing weight. The day I made an appointment he had such a long string of mucous that I thought maybe he had a parasite. The doctor actually thought that, too, so did a huge stool workup (told me to be very careful handling the stool as it was highly contagious) as well as multiple blood tests (including celiac). I remember telling a friend as I was leaving the lab that I just got the doctor to do a million dollar workup for toddler poop.

Any other family members diagnosed with celiac disease?

None

How has your child’s life changed since being diagnosed?

Going gluten free when you never wanted to be has been the most challenging. I tell friends that I'm so thankful that I love cooking and trying new recipes, so changing the way I cook meals has been a fun challenge. I was so overwhelmed in the beginning. I even had to get rid of about 15 different dried spices (SPICES!!!) because they all said may contain wheat in them!

What advice would you offer a parent who’s child was just diagnosed with celiac disease?

It's so overwhelming at first, but it does get better.

What a handsome little boy you are Weston! I bet you are feeling so much better and keepin your momma busy with how active you are! Jack has a little brother named Jason and he's 4 years old too and he keeps me on my toes alllll the time! He just loves to play and play. :)

Yes Mom, a diagnosis that your child will have to live a gluten-free lifestyle for his/her life is overwhelming to say the least! But once you see your child's drastic changes in health, mood and physical appearance, it's the best diagnosis ever.