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Our minds have a way of blocking out information that doesn't necessarily pertain to us. For example, I never really pay attention to types of cars until I'm the one driving the same kind of car. Suddenly, it seems like everyone is driving my same kind of car! We know those things are there, but we don't think about them until it's necessary or until it becomes a part of your own life.
I had that experience recently, and now I live with it on a daily basis.
Allergies. More specifically-food allergies. Even more specifically-food allergies in my baby/almost toddler.
Sure, people have allergies. I knew that. I knew that kids had allergies. What I didn't realize was the constant fear one with allergies may face everywhere he/she goes. This is my reality. This will be my daughter Sloan's reality for (likely) the rest of her life.
One evening several months ago, as a mom of two after a long day, I figured nothing would be less tiring for me or make the kids more happy than if I made them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I tore off a tiny piece of sandwich to give to Sloan. It was her THIRD exposure to peanuts. My four year old devoured his faster than you can say Cat Boy speed. However, Sloan had a bite and became extremely fussy and asked to get down from her high chair. She barely ate, but if you have kids, you know that sometimes they just don't eat and you go about your day.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction are nothing like what I expected. Not even two minutes after she took a teeny bite of sandwich did she start acting funky. Scratching her ears and hives (what I thought were ant bites, at first) on her fingers. I took a picture to send to my husband who was working on the other side of town. I stripped her down and put her in the bath. Panic began to set in as she got more and more puffy. I was in complete denial. Is she really having a reaction? Benadryl? Of course, I didn't have any because allergies were never a thing I dealt with myself or with my first child.
I packed up the kids as quickly as I could to head to a close CVS; Clark barefoot and Sloan in a diaper only. The adrenaline rush I felt was nothing short of miraculous. Not giving a hoot about anyone in my way, I quickly found Children's Benadryl. With only one hand semi-free I tore the package open with my teeth (I went into full-on mama bear mode) and gave Sloan a quick lesson in drinking from a medicine cup rather than a syringe. I threw some cash at the cashier and ran out. Enter John who got into his car and sped to me as soon as he heard my panicked and likely nonsensical voicemail.
We all arrived at a pediatric urgent care within 5 minutes. It was rainy. It was trafficky. Don't care. Just get there. Thankfully, the staff took one look at Sloan and immediately rushed her to a room. Two epinephrine shots, one steroid shot, and an anti-inflammatory later and they finally cleared her safe.
The adrenaline wore off, the word "ok" was spoken, and I broke the eff down in the waiting room.
Clark, on the other hand, was my super rockstar. He knew Sloan was in trouble, therefore, he handed me bandages at CVS, constantly asked if I was ok, if Sloan was ok, and was extra compliant. The nurses at the urgent care made sure he received a popsicle and his choice of cartoons on the tv in a nearby room. "Can we go to the doctor again tomorrow?" he asked as we were leaving. "Um, no. But thanks for being the coolest kids ever." I responded.
The night slowly turned back to "normal" as we arrived back home and placed Sloan down in her crib for some much needed rest.
Since this time, we've taken two trips to the family allergist. So far, Sloan's list of no-no's include: peanuts, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. Birthday parties, new foods, and restaurants have all been interesting experiences, to say the least. When I ask the parents of the birthday kid where the cake is from, some moms get it, and some moms give me a puzzled look. I can't blame the latter parents. It's an out of sight, out of mind mentality. Heck, I was there less than a year ago. We take no chances when it comes to allergies.
This Halloween, I'm asking all of my friends, family, and anyone else who may read this post to participate in the teal pumpkin Halloween initiative. By placing a teal pumpkin in front of your house, you're declaring that you will offer allergy-free options for trick-or-treaters.
Here's my plan for this Halloween: I have a bowl full of candy (and going totally nut-free). And a totally separate bowl of non-candy treats. I have stickers, glow-in-the-dark sticks, erasers, pencils, spider rings, etc. Think Dollar Store or cheaper. As long as it's food-free, you'll have some happy kids; and more importantly-happy parents.
My hope is that ALL homes decide to partake in this kind of Halloween. With peanut and nut allergies on the rise, it only makes sense. Let's keep the fun in Halloween, but also stay safe.
For more information on teal pumpkins, ideas on allergy-safe treats, and other generic information, please go to: www.Tealpumpkin.org
Have a happy, spooky, and safe Halloween!!
We all arrived at a pediatric urgent care within 5 minutes. It was rainy. It was trafficky. Don't care. Just get there. Thankfully, the staff took one look at Sloan and immediately rushed her to a room. Two epinephrine shots, one steroid shot, and an anti-inflammatory later and they finally cleared her safe.
The adrenaline wore off, the word "ok" was spoken, and I broke the eff down in the waiting room.
Clark, on the other hand, was my super rockstar. He knew Sloan was in trouble, therefore, he handed me bandages at CVS, constantly asked if I was ok, if Sloan was ok, and was extra compliant. The nurses at the urgent care made sure he received a popsicle and his choice of cartoons on the tv in a nearby room. "Can we go to the doctor again tomorrow?" he asked as we were leaving. "Um, no. But thanks for being the coolest kids ever." I responded.
The night slowly turned back to "normal" as we arrived back home and placed Sloan down in her crib for some much needed rest.
Since this time, we've taken two trips to the family allergist. So far, Sloan's list of no-no's include: peanuts, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. Birthday parties, new foods, and restaurants have all been interesting experiences, to say the least. When I ask the parents of the birthday kid where the cake is from, some moms get it, and some moms give me a puzzled look. I can't blame the latter parents. It's an out of sight, out of mind mentality. Heck, I was there less than a year ago. We take no chances when it comes to allergies.
This Halloween, I'm asking all of my friends, family, and anyone else who may read this post to participate in the teal pumpkin Halloween initiative. By placing a teal pumpkin in front of your house, you're declaring that you will offer allergy-free options for trick-or-treaters.
Here's my plan for this Halloween: I have a bowl full of candy (and going totally nut-free). And a totally separate bowl of non-candy treats. I have stickers, glow-in-the-dark sticks, erasers, pencils, spider rings, etc. Think Dollar Store or cheaper. As long as it's food-free, you'll have some happy kids; and more importantly-happy parents.
My hope is that ALL homes decide to partake in this kind of Halloween. With peanut and nut allergies on the rise, it only makes sense. Let's keep the fun in Halloween, but also stay safe.
For more information on teal pumpkins, ideas on allergy-safe treats, and other generic information, please go to: www.Tealpumpkin.org
Have a happy, spooky, and safe Halloween!!
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