I have been on my no wheat diet for 5 days now, and my skin has not gotten any better, so I guess I just assumed that I'm not allergic to wheat after all. Because I have been so miserable and uncomfortable in my skin I went to the doctor again today and got more steroids; this steroid cycle will last 6 days longer than the last time, so 12 days total. That will be good. The doctor didn't really have an explaination for my skin rashes, but I wasn't surprised by this. She insisted I make an appointment today to see another doctor; this time an allergy doctor. I proceeded with my day, went grocery shopping and bought many healthy and organic foods (no wheat!), and then got a call from my mom saying she had scheduled an appointment for me at Sebring. The appointment was in an hour. So I shoved food in my mouth, did some self food allergy tests, took 40mg of my miracle drug, and left for another doctor.
I could go into detail about my 2nd appointment, but I don't feel like it. I was disappointed with what she, the doctor I was seeing, had to say. She didn't even think my rashes were related to my allergies at all and was insisting I go see a dermatologist in San Marcos that she knew. "It may take 6 months to get an appointment with her, but don't get discouraged, it will be worth it!" Sometimes I feel like a freakin' ping pong ball being swatted back and forth between allergy specialist to dermatologists to nutritionalists. Oh well.
After she had said all she had to say she took me outside our little room and walked me over to another door and tapped on it. "I want to see what Dr. Sebring has to say about your condition", she said to me as we waited for him to come out. "The Dr. Sebring?", I thought. I felt kind of honored to be seen by a man who is world renown (according to my mom) and does so well that he can ask for only cash payments, no insurance accepted. He opened the door and stepped out. She asked him what he thought, and he took a good look at me. He asked me how long I had had this rash, and I told him about a month, and that it was likely to be a reaction from my food allergies, but I just didn't know what food it was. He looked at my arms and shoulders, looked me in the eyes, and told me without a spec of hesitation, "You're allergic to grains. Corn (wow, how did he know that?) rice (again, yes), oats (...yes!), and wheat (rush of frustration, anger, and sadness overcomes me). You need to cut out all grains from your diet."
I left the doctor's office feeling somewhat optimistic about the news, for I was glad to finally hear something new that I could use to change my health for the better, but I was also extremely frustrated. I already have so many food allergies, and now I am adding wheat and all other grains to the list. Damn this sucks. Plus I just really love bread. It is so delicious! I was crying a little and felt too frustrated to drive, so I pulled over on the side of the road. It was a gorgeous evening. I sat in the tall grass that was on the side of the road. It was perfect. The breeze was blowing and the grass was bowing to the sun. It calmed me down almost immediately. I love the relationship I have with God's creation. Nature calms me so much, and brings me such peace. So I sat there. I watched the sun as it was setting and shining on the furry tips of the tall grass, casting a golden glow all around me. It was amazing.
So a discouraging day ended beautifully. Thank you, Lord.
(And then a stranger pulled over on the side of the road where I was and got out of his car to make sure I was alright. Even though I didn't need his assistance, I really appreciated his concern. It is so encouraging to see other people's care and concern for people they don't even know. There is some good in this world after all.)
