I created “Loving Simone” after realizing that the blog I already had was really not the proper place to go into detail about Simone’s life, needs, interests, struggles or care. There is a lot to this little bundle of loveliness and I couldn’t help but dedicate something completely to her.
Simone Isabella (we call her Simmi) was born on June 10th, 2007. The picture to the left was taken when she was only six months old and when I still had my hair. I have scarring alopecia which permanently kills my hair follicles. You can read more about my life and musings at The Alopecian Muse. I will be taking some of the postings that I wrote about Simmi on the Muse and copying them here…where they should be.
My husband and I are both contributors to this blog. My name is Angela and my husband’s name is Dominic. We are Simmi’s legal guardians as well as her grand parents. It has been a joy and a pleasure having her in our lives, and we look forward to sharing that joy with all of you.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Hello Angela,
I see that you linked to me on your Blogroll (thank you!) and I have been looking at both your blogs, and I have to ask:
Have you been tested for celiac disease or tried a 100% gluten-free diet? Are you aware that Alopecia is connected to Celiac? And is your granddaughter 100% gluten-free now?
Please let me know if there are any questions I can answer for you about testing or about the gluten-free diet.
Sincerely,
Alison
March 6th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Hi Alison,
You’re welcome…you have a lot of great content on your site.
I have never been tested for Celiac, but I’m not a big fan of breads, pastas or other products that contain gluten. I have a form of scarring alopecia and also non-scarring alopecia. I do know that certain types of mold (which I’m allergic to) triggers an auto-immune response, which in turn affects the follicles. There are other triggers, but we have found that if I am in contact with certain types of mold, not only do I become very sick but my hair falls out…in some places it is permanent.
Simmi has had wheat only once in her life and that was in a biter cookie before we found out that she was allergic. She actually tasted the cookie and spit it out immediately. Her lips and face started to break out as well as her hands. It was only about three weeks later after having her tested that she in fact had a wheat allergy as well.
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll definitely be picking your brain for special goodies, treats and meals for Simmi. Now that she is finally eating, I’m excited to make her meals zing as much as possible.
March 7th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Angela,
What you have gone through (and are still going through) must be very hard. That is amazing that you have linked it to mold. That must be difficult to avoid. I still think you should be 100% gluten-free if you are not already… celiac/gluten is so connected to other autoimmune disorders, and even a little bit keeps the immune system reacting. Just trying to help as I find that people are unaware of these connections. Good luck to you,
Alison
March 7th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Hi Alison,
We battled the mold thing for five years and last November we found out just how contaminated our home was…it was condemnable. We fled our home taking nothing, and even the clothes on our backs were thrown into the garbage. We got on a plane and headed for New Mexico and that is where we live now. It has made all the difference in the world for my health and the health of my family.
I have been slowly getting my kids accustom to rice pasta by having them try Simmi’s food. Eventually I would like to phase out all wheat products in our home. I’m already a manic trying to clean up little crumbs and things the kids may have dropped and I would hate for Simmi to put something that was left out into her mouth.
March 21st, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Hey Angela,
I bet you are very happy to have your man around. The blog site is great. Simi looks fantastic! We like getting the good news from Dom about the family progress. Enjoy your weekend, Doug
March 21st, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Hi Doug,
Thanks for coming by and saying hi! Yes, it is awesome to have Dom home again. I heard from him that Sarah has a website about natural products? You’ll have to tell me more about it and send me a link so I can add her to my resources!
I hope she and the little man are doing great.
Give her my love!