My name is Theresa Brandon. I was born in the fall of 1948 and I was sick from the very beginning of my life with fevers, vomiting, and colds.

At 18 months I went into convulsions, which my doctors were unable to explain. For the next eight years I suffered with anemia and, at one point or another, I experienced what seemed like every childhood disease possible.  I was diagnosed with scoliosis and thought this was the reason I was so small.

I weighed a mere 18 pounds as I entered kindergarten and wore a size 2 in clothes and shoes.  I would have a huge amount of body pain from time to time, usually in an ankle, arm, shoulder or back.  I always had a painful tummy but I thought this was normal.

At age 10, I had my first heat stroke followed by two more in my lifetime. When I was 13, I had diarrhea for three months and lost 60 pounds. 

I got married at age 18 and become pregnant within the first few months.  This pregnancy ended with a miscarriage.  Within the next year, I became pregnant again.  This time, I carried my son to term and he was born weighing five pounds.  When he was two, my husband and I tried to conceive again which resulted in two additional miscarriages. 

Over the next 15 years, I saw doctor after doctor and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis along with degenerate arthritis. I gained 35 pounds in a month.

I had cysts and tumors removed from my body so many times.  Of course, no doctors knew why this was happening to me.  I had skin cancer removed and had swollen lymph nodes under my chin for four years.  Three specialists said it was three different things.

As my immune system deteriorated, I developed shingles. I continually visited the hospital and was unable to work for a year. At one point it was recommended that I see a psychiatrist. Finally, my internist suggested that I see a gastroenterologist.

I was in a gastroenterologist’s office the next day and underwent exploratory surgery. At first, the doctor thought I had cancer but, as soon as I woke up from surgery, the doctor informed me that I had celiac sprue.  My husband and I quickly got on the Internet and discovered everything we could read about the disease.  I started my new way of eating that day. 

I could not believe how quickly I turned around.  The constant pain in my head was gone. My ears didn't ring any longer, I could see better, and the cane was put in the corner.  I had my life back again! 

I had always taken numerous medications. I no longer take any and I have not been to a doctor in almost a year. My 14 year old grandson has since told me, "Granny, it is so nice to have the old Granny back in our lives, the one who played, sang and danced with us.”