The faces of Sarcoidosis patients, caregivers and friends are varied and range the emotion gamut from intense concentration to learn new things and adding to a great sense of humor and feeling of camaraderie within the group.

When we finally found where we needed to be, the Old Guy grabbed a wheelchair to move us at a fast clip.  We went in the furthest distance entrance from the Mt. St. Helen’s room at Good Sam hospital in Puyallup – it seemed a good ten mile walk inside that huge hospital.  They need Yellow Brick arrows painted on the floors or walls to guide folks around between the old hospital and the new hospital.

I knew the meeting was on gluten free food but didn’t connect that it is thought that gluten might cause Sarcoidosis among other things.  I was shocked to discover that there is a medical condition called Celiac Disease caused by gluten intolerance and perhaps causing Sarcoidosis and a whole range of other things that might be cleared up just by changing what we eat.

The speaker, Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN CEN of Corvallis, Oregon was an ER nurse for 16 years and by the time she was 40 years old – in November 2006 she was finally diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  Nadine thought she would be dead in six months or less.  She is a dynamic speaker and her presence alone states a good case for our investigation.

A few high points are that standard medical testing doesn’t work.   “Celiac disease occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.  The proteins in wheat, rye, barley and sometimes oats cause an inflammatory auto-immune response that can and does affect every organ system in the body.  If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to lymphoma, bowel cancers and much, much more.”

“Think it doesn’t affect you, your family and friends?  Think again.”

***

This morning I did a Gluten Free Google search and found an article May 2010 in the North Kitsap Herald by Leila Arciero about a newly opened Gluten Free Bakery and Market in Poulsbo!

Martha Hofmann, Michelle Hofmann and Lisa Garza living gluten-free with limited access for proper food decided to open their own store and share their hard earned knowledge and food to others in the same gluten-free boat.

http://blogs.pnwlocalnews.com/glutenfreefoodies/ http://www.yourglutenfreebakery.com/

According to the article, Lisa Garza has Celiac disease, runs the Gluten Free Foodies blog and hosts a monthly gluten-free and food sensitivity support group.   The problem is the Celiac disease body is unable to process the gluten and protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/nkh/business/93787379.html

Rain storm on the way to Puyallup…I care about rain photos because of Kitsap Frames topic this week.

Meet Lynn Short…the head honcho and patient who knows more about Sarcoidosis stuff in Washington State…maybe the entire Pacific Northwest than almost anyone or so it seems to me.   Lynn Short, Sarcoidosis Networking, is a wonder of organization and determination and almost singlehandedly with her husband makes Sarcoidosis information available to anyone.  She is a human library of Sarcoid information and believes in educating the patient.  She has been doing it for years and puts out a great informational newsletter.

(253) 826-7737   www.sarcoidosisnetwork.org

Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN CEN – (541) 602-1065 – Nadine@GlutenFreeRN.com www.GluutenFreeRN.com

Dani Martin – her expression I’m sure mirrored mine and everybody else at that meeting.  I’ve seldom gotten so much information at any meeting – surprising and shocking for the most part.  Dani works at the Pierce County Health Department.

Dani Martin   –     Linda Fulghun

Kenny Harelson

Beverly Proby – Islamah Rashid

…not another picture…when I asked for just one more…had to get it right…thank goodness for digital and a good sport!

Kai MarQuis – Jeff Smith

Reina Heck

To everyone, thank you for letting me take so many pictures until I had the right one.  I’m getting my eyes checked next month…

More later…. Sharon O’Hara