Luckly he didn't have a reaction...

Today while Nathan was having a snack at daycare his arm got bit by another child. The child who bit him was eating and luckly Nathan didn't have a reaction.

This is just another worry for a parent who has a child with a food allergy. Even someone who just kisses Nathan's cheek after having an ice cream can cause Nathan to have a reaction. We just have to be so careful.

Trace Adkins appeared on “The Celebrity Apprentice"

Trace Adkins appeared on “The Celebrity Apprentice” raising awareness for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), and will reprise his role as the 2008 National Honorary Chair of FAAN’s Walk for Food Allergy.

I was really disapointed tonight that Trace didn't win the Apprentice because I really wanted his charity (FANN) to receive the donations. It was a good show and watching Traces' special about his daughter and her allergies hit so close to home that it made me cry.

Day-care made a HUGE mistake

Daycare called me at work (yes the dreaded call) and said Nathan was having an allergic reaction. I left work and got there as fast as I could. They aready gave him Benadryl. His eyes were swollen, face was red and bumpy, his ears were so red, he looked awful. They told me that he didn't have anything other than his food (I brought). They went outside and didn't do any kind of craft today. I was really puzzled as they were....wondering what caused this. THEN I get a call later from the Director that Nathan ate a piece of cheese (DAIRY). They thought it was his. Apparently, a mom brought it in for a child and someone at the center put it into Nathan's lunch bag. I just don't know what to think or do!! I am mad, but who can I blame?? Nathan has RICE cheese that looks just like regular cheese. The director said the cook was gone for the day and she will talk to her tomorrow.

I need to think of a way to prevent this from EVER happening again!! I was thinking of buying green dot stickers and applying them to every item of Nathan's lunch and telling daycare that if it has a green dot it is safe. I don't know, what am I going to do??

They have been so apologetic and feel horrible this happened. I can't really be mad at them, but it could have been life-threatening. Luckily, he was ok.

Letter to a Restaurant

When we visit a restaurant that we haven't taken Nathan too, I like to contact the restaurant ahead of time to find out about foods that are safe for him. Here is an actual letter to Potbellys.

From: Jeanette
Phone Number:
Sent: 3/10/2008 9:24:13 PM
Comments: We plan to visit your restaurant soon and our son has food allergies. He is allergic to Dairy, Egg, Wheat and Peanuts.Can you please send me a list of items that are free of these ingredients?

Reply:

Hello Jeanette ~Thanks for writing to Potbelly. I'm excited to let you know that we have a revised nutritional analysis that answers all of your questions. You can find it on our website, www.potbelly.com, under the Nutrition Tab on Our Food page. There is also a downloadable pdf file on Allergens. I hope this helps.

Best regards,
Laura Berrones
Speaker of the House
Potbelly Sandwich Works

Nathan's Allergy to Dogs and Cats

Not only is Nathan allergic to foods but is also allergic to dogs and cats. We used to have a cat until Nathan was 7 months old and the cat died. It was months later we found out about his allergy to the cat. Nathan had very bad eczema and we never knew why, I think the cat really made his eczema worse.

Here's the thing....I am an animal lover always have been, I always grew up with a cat or dog. It is killing me inside that we can't have a pet. I know the safety of my child comes first so that is why we never got another pet. I sometimes have the feeling that a woman gets when she wants a baby and can't. I wonder around the pet store looking at the animals for sale and I just want to cry.

Nathan seems to be an animal lover too, dogs mostly. He loves them! If one comes on TV he gets very excited and tries to touch the dog. When we are out for walks he runs up to our neighbors dogs and gets so happy and excited. How will I tell him someday that we can't have a dog because they make him sick.

EXAMPLES OF ALLERGY TO ANIMALS:

My sister has a dog and when Nathan was around the dog he did ok until the dog licked him. Then Nathan would break out in hives where the dog licked him.

We were at the Zoo last year and Nathan was by the goats that you could feed, we as soon as Nathan had goat saliva on his hand and arm, he broke out into hives. I had to give him Benadryl to stop the rection.

Another thing that makes it hard for us is going to peoples houses with pets. We have been invited to playgroups but could not attend because they have a pet. It is hard.

The Oat Challenge

Nathan had his Oat challenge today and he passed, this is great news!! We were at the Allergist for a long 3 hours. Nathan ate Oatmeal for his challenge he seemed to really like it...Maple and Brown Sugar.

Now that he passed both Oat and Soy he is down to 4 food allergies instead of 2.

They said they won't test again now for another 6 months to 1 year. Too long, I just wonder if we challenged more, he could pass them.