Today is National Dietitian day. So id like to dedicate this post to the fabulous ladies in my life who have supported me in my treatment for my PKU.

As a child the first Dietitan I remember was a lady name Carol. I remember she has red hair and a twin sister.  I dont really remember her from my clinic but after, When I was a kid she kept in touch with my mom and she sent me My first TY beanie babies.  The first one she sent me was a shark named “crunch” She sent him to me for a report I did on great whites in school that I did good on.  For many years after she sent me beanie babies and I had a hudge collection. I really wish I didnt give them away when I moved out.

I know Carol was a big support to my parents.

After Carol, was another Carol. I know her fairly well, don’t really remember her as my dietician for very long. I know my mom and her did not get along. Also I found her intimidating, maybe my judgement of her was based on my mom’s feelings though.  I kept in touch with her and saw here when I came to clinic to see my other dietitian.  When I was 13 , I began to take over the diet on my own and I was passed on to a new dietitian Alette.

Now Alette and I had a up and down relationship.  when I began to take over the diet I began to lie and cheat and sneak foods. I made myself very sick and ended up having to be admitted to the hospital for re education, with drawl from high levels and treatment for my high levels. These admissions are what bonded me to Alette. She spent alot of time with me and was very patient. She was always there for me no matter what. She spent hours with me meal planning, teaching me different methods to track, and about PKU and what my Levels did. I didnt realize it then , but she saved my life.  I love her very much and I have kept in touch with her all these years. Every year I see her at the CanPKU BC PKU days and I always look forward to it. She makes me smile. I am embarrassed for all that I put her through and what I put myself through. Yet she is still kind to me and welcomes me with a smile and a hug! I caused everyone alot of hell thats for sure. I am glad to know her now and have her see just how I have done!

When I transitioned to the Adult Clinic at 18, my first dietitian was Annie, and wow she was fantastic! I came to her still suffering from my high level symptoms and on many medications and struggling to keep my levels in range . I did not do regular blood test and didnt eat alot of low pro food.  With Annie I got my levels down to like 0 and 1.

Unfortunately i did not get to stay on with Annie and was switched over to Taryn. If I remember right Taryn may have been or was going on maternity leave. Or maybe she was coming back and thats why I went with her, I remember at first I was very pissed off. i hate changing people. i like to keep with the same people who know me and I dont have to get to know anyone else. SO I was annoyed and stubborn as hell.  I know in between Taryn and maternity leaves I also had Marty and Jen.

Currently I have Taryn and Jen. Jen works the first half of the week and Taryn the last. When I met Jen the first time I was stubborn as hell all over again and missed Taryn. Now I love both these ladies. Man the hell I have put them through to. They are so fanstaic and so supportive. No matter what. The countless emails, questions, the cycles of on and off track , the crashes and the burn outs, the numerous formula and product switches and  my  in ablitliy to cooperate and do my annual blood tests, they still are there for me. I have grown with them the longest.  I would really hate to loose either one.  I really rely on them for so much. I go to them for everything! even when i probably should go to my doctor.  They are even there for me if I just need to rant about my PKU. They send me recipes and samples and are patient with all the changes I make.  I feel so lucky to have Taryn and Jen,   I have an amazing team because of them.  Even when comes to cole, they are supportive of him and his questions, concerns and educating us both on maternal PKU.

I really don’t think I would be the same person I am with out the care I have received from my special ladies over the years. I could not imagine having a dietician that I did not get along with or that I felt did not support me. They are so vital to my quality  of life. I see them more than I see my Doctor or my PKU Doctor. Not to mention I consider them friends. Of course they are professionals first, but they are so important to my life its hard not to know them on a personal level.

My dietitians are always a phone call or email away and I know how special that is. I appreciate there hard work and dedication. They have taught me so much over the years and have been beside me through out my journey with PKU and I think they defiantly deserve to be honoured!

So thank you from the bottom of my heart. To all my past and previous dieticians  Thank you for helping me manage my PKU and live a some what normal life!

Thank you for all your hard work, dedication, support and for everything else you do for me and all the PKU adults at the clinic.

Amanda C