A lesson ot be learned...

We had a great time at the pumpkin farm today, the weather wasn't as cold but did have a few sprinkles of rain.

We went with some friends and Nathan and the little girl were playing and the next thing I knew Nathan was eating her caramel corn that she was eating. She shared hers with him. I know I always want to teach my child to share but when food allergies are involved it is not a good idea. I panicked because I had no idea what was in them so I grabbed the bag and started reading the label. Luckily, there was no milk or wheat. I was so relieved!! This was a lesson that I really have to teach Nathan to always ask me before he eats something. I ended up buying him his own bag to take home since he loved them so much and it was something he could eat.

The Flu Shot Debate

Even though Nathan is allergic to eggs he has gotten the flu shot in the past, once by the allergist office and once by his Pediatrician.

Well, I called at made an appointment for a flu shot this year at his pediatrician's office and they told me they can't do it, we need to go to the allergist to get it done. I told them they did it last year and Nathan didn't have any problems so why can't they do it this year. The nurse told me the pediatrician will call me.

Is the flu shot this year stronger and they worry he will have a reaction. Going to the Allergist will be a long 3 hour appointment because they just do a little bit at a time.

Part of me says forget the flu shot but we get it every year plus Nathan has Asthma that is mostly viral induced. He needs the flu shot.

Food allergies on tv/movies

I don't recall many shows where the story is about food allergies, I try to think back to ER episodes, Grays and more and I can't think of any that have food allergies as the story line.

I think having more shows and or movies about food allergies will help with awareness. There are many people that have no clue about food allergies.

When I read that Nick News will be about allergies on Sunday night, September 27th, at 8 o'clock Eastern time, I was thrilled - I set the DVR so I won't miss it. "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee; I'm Allergic to My World."

I also have heard (but have not seen) the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs has a character in the movie who has a peanut allergy.

This is really great news to me - helping awareness.

What could it be??

We were at a relatives house for dinner tonight and Nathan suddenly started coughing and sneezing, my first thought is he is getting a cold. They don't have any pets and he didn't eat anything (that I know of and I was watching) so what was it?? There were some deviled eggs sitting out on a table and Nathan says to me "mommy, cupcakes" I said no those are not cupcakes and you are allergic". He never went near them but his allergy to egg is severe that I thought could the eggs be making him sick, like in the air.

After we got in the car his cough was really bad, it really scared me because I wasn't sure if he was having trouble breathing. At this point I didn't think it was a cold.

When we pulled in the driveway I never heard another cough or sneeze.

This really baffles me as to what he was reacting too, so I emailed the host to see if I could figure it out and I asked her if they had a pet at the house recently and they did, a dog.

So my guess would be he was reacting to a dog but I don't know what kind of dog.

I *think* Nathan had MILK

I *think* Nathan had milk is what daycare said to me when they called me at work around lunch time.

The teacher didn't see him drink it but thinks he did drink from a little girls cup who sat next to him. They gave him Benadryl and said he seems fine and they checked him over. Then I hear someone crying and they said it is Nathan and he scared because there is fly near by. I told them I will call them back after I call my husband.

I call back a few minutes later and told me that Nathan threw up 3 times. And ask me if he gets sick when upset, yes he has in the past. But this sounds more like he had milk and it is making him sick. I tell them to give him the Epi Pen. They said are you sure, then I said well if he got sick already is out of his system. I asked if he has any other symptoms and said I am on my way to pick him up.

When I get there he is resting and just looks like he had been through a lot. He was so happy to see me and wanted to go home.

I get him in the car and the owner of the daycare was on the phone and wanted to talk to me. She told me that she had a mother (who was there & who is also a doctor) check Nathan's vitals and he is fine. Also, she said they don't want to give Nathan the Epi Pen because if he really didn't need it, then it could raise his heart-rate. This is really not for them to decide. If I say give the Epi Pen then they should.

He is going back on Monday and I guess I need to have a new plan. I am going to maybe get some cups so that they are different then the other children and teach Nathan to drink only out of his cup. I thought Nathan was sitting at a table with another allergy girl but they are not doing that anymore.

Swim Lessons

We are on our second week of swim lessons at the YMCA, Nathan really enjoys the water. I like that fact that the water in the pool does help with his eczema. It seems to really dry out those rough patches and he has less itching.

Just eat your ice cream....

"Just eat your ice cream and shut up" is what I really wanted to say to the people at the table next to us.

We were at the driving range and my husband was hitting golf balls and Nathan was hungry so I took him over the the tables to eat his lunch. The people next to us were eating ice cream and singing "I scream for ice cream, every body eat ice cream" or however it goes. I just wanted to tell them to shut up and eat it. No, I really wanted to shove it their faces. Nathan can hear them really enjoy their ice cream, wouldn't be a big deal except my son can't have ice cream and I don't carry his special ice cream everywhere I go. He said "mommy I want ice cream", it just broke my heart. He is watching the other people really enjoy their ice cream. I am not saying people can't eat ice cream just don't sing and make a big deal about it.

Allergies in my tummy, mommy

Yesterday Nathan told me his tummy hurt, I asked him why and he said he had "allergies in his tummy." It was so cute! I told him he didn't eat anything that would give him "allergies" in his tummy.

He doesn't quite understand his food allergies yet but he does get the concept that allergies can make his tummy hurt.