My coeliac disease journey: Living gluten-free and finding my voice through writing.

Alongside creating Gluten Free Freddie, I felt this strong pull to share my own coeliac disease journey.

Writing it down has been surprisingly cathartic;  I was reminded of how far I have come since my diagnosis, and just how much living gluten-free has shaped and molded me. It hasn’t been easy to write – at times it’s been (wiggle on your seat) uncomfortable, especially when I look back at all of my health ‘nudges’ (my kinder way of naming the symptoms I missed or ignored).

The early feedback from beta readers on the first couple of chapters has been so encouraging. Apparently, my gluten-free story resonates! So, I thought I’d share a sneak peek from the foreword here.

‘Caroline, your test results have come back. They are not life-threatening, but they are life-changing.  I strongly think you have coeliac disease,’  said the GP. My world froze; the air in the room felt instantly heavy. Tears started to well up in my eyes. ‘I have a disease?’ It was a disease I knew nothing about. Was it serious? I had no idea what coeliac disease was. In that heartbeat, my life changed forever.

This is my story: a journey of highs and lows, a rollercoaster of discovery. And subsequently, the opportunity for a new adventure. You may see similar experiences that have you shouting, ‘Yes, that’s what happened to me!’ It’s an overwhelming discovery to realise you have coeliac disease. Eating out becomes a minefield, and grocery shopping is a long, exhaustive task. To say it’s been a real ‘learning curve’ would be a massive understatement. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. While I was writing this book, I noticed many health symptoms I should have taken notice of over the years. Let’s call them NUDGES. Sometimes there were even RED FLAGS! But yup, I ignored them. Each and every one of them. For years. Perhaps you will be able to relate to some of my experiences? 

Learning to live with an autoimmune condition hasn’t been easy. And coming to terms with has been a wild ride. It’s certainly a game-changer, but it doesn’t have to be a game-over scenario. As you read each page, my wish is that you find my story useful, brutally honest, and even a little funny at times – let’s laugh through occasional tears, right? But most of all, I hope you find it empowering and positive, whilst navigating your own diagnosis. 

The title of my book has yet to be decided, but you will be the first to know. Look out for more information in the coming weeks.