Hashimoto’s Disease is a disease where the thyroid is damaged by the person’s immune system. To define it, Hashimoto’s Disease is an “autoimmune lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland closely associated with the presence of antithyroid autoantibodies and often resulting in chronic hypothyroidism.”(Brier, 2009) Due to the damages that occur, the thyroid is unable to function properly. My dad was recently diagnosed with this disease. Coping with Hashimoto’s Disease brings many lifestyle changes for the benefit of health; it is not an easy process but it is necessary. The person afflicted has to make daily nutritional choices; however, the family as a whole has to adjust as well. It all began in May 2015, when after eating a meal my dad
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Now when we go to a restaurant, my dad has to be very careful with what he orders. Usually items on a menu include things he cannot eat, so he has to request substitutions. For example, we go to a burger place, so we have to ask if their special sauce has any of the ingredients he cannot have; if they do, we have to ask for his burger without sauce and bun. On special occasions, we used to go to a favorite Chinese restaurant; however no longer can we go there because everything is prepared with soy, gluten, and grains. My mom, brother, and I can still eat there; however, we avoid it if dad is with us. Not only did our restaurant options have to be adjusted, but my dad’s meals on vacations were affected as well. In November 2015, when we went to Disneyland, my mom had to make many calls and make reservations in advance for the chefs to be able to accommodate my dad’s diet. Whenever we sat down to eat, as soon as my dad told the waiter or waitress that he had diet restrictions, they immediately sent for the chef, who came out to talk to him personally. Once my dad told the chef what he wanted to eat, the chef made sure that he prepared the food to the specifications. When the food was brought out, it was perfect, and my dad had no problems. We were encouraged to see that there is more awareness in restaurants to accommodate foods to dietary needs and the food industry is very willing to help. A few months later, my dad had another appointment with his doctor. He had hopes that his numbers had changed for the better and that the diet was working. However, the results showed next to no
Now when we go to a restaurant, my dad has to be very careful with what he orders. Usually items on a menu include things he cannot eat, so he has to request substitutions. For example, we go to a burger place, so we have to ask if their special sauce has any of the ingredients he cannot have; if they do, we have to ask for his burger without sauce and bun. On special occasions, we used to go to a favorite Chinese restaurant; however no longer can we go there because everything is prepared with soy, gluten, and grains. My mom, brother, and I can still eat there; however, we avoid it if dad is with us. Not only did our restaurant options have to be adjusted, but my dad’s meals on vacations were affected as well. In November 2015, when we went to Disneyland, my mom had to make many calls and make reservations in advance for the chefs to be able to accommodate my dad’s diet. Whenever we sat down to eat, as soon as my dad told the waiter or waitress that he had diet restrictions, they immediately sent for the chef, who came out to talk to him personally. Once my dad told the chef what he wanted to eat, the chef made sure that he prepared the food to the specifications. When the food was brought out, it was perfect, and my dad had no problems. We were encouraged to see that there is more awareness in restaurants to accommodate foods to dietary needs and the food industry is very willing to help. A few months later, my dad had another appointment with his doctor. He had hopes that his numbers had changed for the better and that the diet was working. However, the results showed next to no