For my new readers, my girl has a severe allergy to milk. She can have at best, a skin reaction to eating or touch any food or substance with dairy ingredients...at worst, an anaphylactic reaction.
It's hard many times, to explain the severity of her allergy. My biggest pet peave is when I go to tell someone of Flynn's allergy & they respond with, "Oh, I'm lactose intolerant too."
IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING THE SAME.
And then others think that's cool if the milk is cooked or if they use the same spoon, etc.
My fellow mom allergy & blogger, milk allergy mom, posted this food allergy video on her blog that I wanted to share.
It's not long. You should watch. It gives a teeny peek into our world. Only we "only" have ONE food allergy to be really worried about.
Showing posts with label allergy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label allergy. Show all posts
4.02.2009
1.28.2009
1.07.2009
Mystery Solved
Last Wed., Flynn started losing her voice. Days went by where she was extremely hoarse. Incidently, her lips also got a few bumps on them.
It worried me enough to take her to the dr Monday (thank you for another co-pay). The dr did a step test, which was negative. She said her throat was red, but that was all. That she really didn't have anything but laryngitis (sp?) --- which is basically, a lack of voice.
BUT, in true high-strung fashion, I could not let it go. I mean, how does a 5 yr old get a random loss of voice? It's not as if she attended a concert or sporting event to strain her voice, or spent the day singing opera.
Today her voice is MUCH better. No more bumps around her mouth. And I noticed that it got increasingly better after Monday.
Enter my detective work. My girl has been loving on this new (Christmas present) AVON disney chapstick. Jeff hated the stuff instantly because Wednesday (making the connection?) she decided she needed to start lubing up with this stuff, which is dark & super covering. Reminds me of one of the old ladies at the nursing home I used to work at. You know, the ones whose coffee cups are covered with bright redness.
I look over at that same chapstick, which she has not worn for several days, & it dawns on me to check the label.
And you guessed it, MILK PROTEIN. About 1/2 way down.
I have been letting my girl smear MILK all over her lips (& undoubtedly the amount that went in her mouth & down her throat).
Just a reminder to my allergy friends, to check even the most minor things, like lip & skin products... hair/body care.... and medicine (I almost gave her culturell, by recommendation of the pedatrician, when she had diarrhea) which sometimes contains milk protein.
And Avon, you've disappointed me.
It worried me enough to take her to the dr Monday (thank you for another co-pay). The dr did a step test, which was negative. She said her throat was red, but that was all. That she really didn't have anything but laryngitis (sp?) --- which is basically, a lack of voice.
BUT, in true high-strung fashion, I could not let it go. I mean, how does a 5 yr old get a random loss of voice? It's not as if she attended a concert or sporting event to strain her voice, or spent the day singing opera.
Today her voice is MUCH better. No more bumps around her mouth. And I noticed that it got increasingly better after Monday.
Enter my detective work. My girl has been loving on this new (Christmas present) AVON disney chapstick. Jeff hated the stuff instantly because Wednesday (making the connection?) she decided she needed to start lubing up with this stuff, which is dark & super covering. Reminds me of one of the old ladies at the nursing home I used to work at. You know, the ones whose coffee cups are covered with bright redness.
I look over at that same chapstick, which she has not worn for several days, & it dawns on me to check the label.
And you guessed it, MILK PROTEIN. About 1/2 way down.
I have been letting my girl smear MILK all over her lips (& undoubtedly the amount that went in her mouth & down her throat).
Just a reminder to my allergy friends, to check even the most minor things, like lip & skin products... hair/body care.... and medicine (I almost gave her culturell, by recommendation of the pedatrician, when she had diarrhea) which sometimes contains milk protein.
And Avon, you've disappointed me.
12.31.2008
Allergy Testing Update
We are disappointed with how little we learned from Flynn's testing.
Um, newsflash, she is still allergic to milk (thank you Cap'n Obvious) & that's all we know.
The allergist told Jeff that it's not good to test them for more than one thing (I've never heard that).
When Jeff recommended the blood testing, he told Jeff that we won't learn much more about the severity of her dairy allergy. Again, confused.
He's usually very knowledgeable. I'm just hearing some things that I've never heard before (which always makes me doubt). I'm also disappointed because we're wanting to get some answers.
Oh yah, he told Jeff that the best way to find out if she's allergic to shellfish is to just "give her some & see how she does."
H E L L O ?
Think it's time for a new allergist?
Um, newsflash, she is still allergic to milk (thank you Cap'n Obvious) & that's all we know.
The allergist told Jeff that it's not good to test them for more than one thing (I've never heard that).
When Jeff recommended the blood testing, he told Jeff that we won't learn much more about the severity of her dairy allergy. Again, confused.
He's usually very knowledgeable. I'm just hearing some things that I've never heard before (which always makes me doubt). I'm also disappointed because we're wanting to get some answers.
Oh yah, he told Jeff that the best way to find out if she's allergic to shellfish is to just "give her some & see how she does."
H E L L O ?
Think it's time for a new allergist?
Pray for Flynn (allergy testing!)
Right now, Flynn is at the allergist's office getting the scratch test. We've NEVER done the scratch test for her dairy allergy (first allergist we had said too risky??).
We have reason to suspect that perhaps her sensitivity is decreasing?? This is not based on the fact that she has INGESTED dairy & had improved reaction (not true) yet that she survived a whole year of a preschool setting sitting among other children who are eating DAIRY & to our knowledge, has not reacted.
Also, she used to regularly have skin/contact reactions -- to what we were never sure (dairy on others hands/faces coming in contact w/ her?).... she RARELY has these types of reactions.
What she has had tho, has been reactions to food made with CHOCOLATE that is supposed to be dairy-free. So, I'm hoping that she'll be tested for some of those specific ingredients (chocolate liquor, cocoa, cocoa butter).
She also had a reaction the other day (a pretty bad skin reaction) to a 'boo boo device' ... one of those things you keep in your freezer, that's filled w/ a gel that is cold to hold on a booboo. She had fallen flat on her face & asked for the "car" to put on her booboo. So, after 4 or so minutes of holding it on the booboo, I pulled it away to assess the booboo. She was swollen, red, & welted EVERYWHERE the booboo laid. Like an outline of the car. Bizarre. So, apparently yet another allergy (latex? plastic?).
Pray for:
-decreased milk allergy (hey, if you're so moved, pray for completely healed from allergies!)
-NO other allergies found
-no asthma symptoms today
Thank you!!
PS Why am I not with her? Gabe's pretty sick. And I'm home running the sick ward. Thankful for a hubby who has this week off! :)
We have reason to suspect that perhaps her sensitivity is decreasing?? This is not based on the fact that she has INGESTED dairy & had improved reaction (not true) yet that she survived a whole year of a preschool setting sitting among other children who are eating DAIRY & to our knowledge, has not reacted.
Also, she used to regularly have skin/contact reactions -- to what we were never sure (dairy on others hands/faces coming in contact w/ her?).... she RARELY has these types of reactions.
What she has had tho, has been reactions to food made with CHOCOLATE that is supposed to be dairy-free. So, I'm hoping that she'll be tested for some of those specific ingredients (chocolate liquor, cocoa, cocoa butter).
She also had a reaction the other day (a pretty bad skin reaction) to a 'boo boo device' ... one of those things you keep in your freezer, that's filled w/ a gel that is cold to hold on a booboo. She had fallen flat on her face & asked for the "car" to put on her booboo. So, after 4 or so minutes of holding it on the booboo, I pulled it away to assess the booboo. She was swollen, red, & welted EVERYWHERE the booboo laid. Like an outline of the car. Bizarre. So, apparently yet another allergy (latex? plastic?).
Pray for:
-decreased milk allergy (hey, if you're so moved, pray for completely healed from allergies!)
-NO other allergies found
-no asthma symptoms today
Thank you!!
PS Why am I not with her? Gabe's pretty sick. And I'm home running the sick ward. Thankful for a hubby who has this week off! :)
12.12.2008
Woot!
I saw a contest about being thankful. I figured, why not, I'll ask Flynn what she's most thankful of & will type as she talks.
I was of course proud & pretty impressed as she rambled on & on about her allergy & how glad she is to stay safe. And of course, when she gave shouts out to her HomeBoy, God.
So, I was super excited to get a phone call that she was one of the semi-finalists. She didn't win the grand poomba, but won her category & 4 tickets to see our zoo all lit for Christmas (yay!).
Wanna check out her entry?:
http://stlouis.momslikeme.com/members/JournalActions.aspx?g=640988&m=3058977&grpcat=
Sincerely,
Proud Momma
I was of course proud & pretty impressed as she rambled on & on about her allergy & how glad she is to stay safe. And of course, when she gave shouts out to her HomeBoy, God.
So, I was super excited to get a phone call that she was one of the semi-finalists. She didn't win the grand poomba, but won her category & 4 tickets to see our zoo all lit for Christmas (yay!).
Wanna check out her entry?:
http://stlouis.momslikeme.com/members/JournalActions.aspx?g=640988&m=3058977&grpcat=
Sincerely,
Proud Momma
10.07.2008
9.12.2008
The Best Laid Plans...
Well, our evening didn't go as we had planned.
Despite an offer from Nana to babysit -- we didn't plan to head to town. We decided to hang around our sleepy town. Cash in a bandana's birthday giftcard from Aunt Stuf. Then to head home with a movie for the bigs & a movie for the littles.
Well, not being one of spontanaeity, and, of all of the dumb & stupid ideas, we decided to head to a little (newish) ice cream shop down on Main St.
As we walked into the cute (orange & yellow tiled floored, which I LOVED) soda shop look alike, Flynn was lit up like Christmas. We'd never done anything like this. But deceived by our good fortune lately, we thought we might branch out.
We immediately addressed the person who appeared to be the most 'in charge'. She seemed knowledgeable about this one particular sorbet & swore it to be milk-free. She obliged us when we asked to read the ingredients. And, I quickly gave my order to another employee to go help the littles find a 'clean' place to plop down.
We gingerly gave Flynn a nibble, from one of those tiny sampling spoons. We made her wait a few minutes before another nibble. And after not an inkling of a reaction, we allowed her to go hog-wild (or would that be cow-wild?!).
Two minutes into our seemingly pleasant ice cream visit. Jeff, who was sitting across from her at a table for two, calls over to me, "Honey, look at her lips!!".
So, she comes running to me & jumps in my lap (which is a tail-tale sign that it's not going well & she's feeling that feeling of strangeness). Sure enough, a mouth full of welts surrounding her even poutier pouty lips.
Jeff grabs her medicine bag, we give her a dose of benadryl. And watch her response. I decided to run to the car w/ her (tired of the staring), and on the way she started wheezing. This would've typically freaked me out, yet she's been having asthma flare ups with our poor air quality (thanks Hurricane Ike).
Jeff & Gabe were shortly behind us. I asked him to jump in the back with the kids while I jumped in the driver's seat & headed away from our one-horse hospital toward the city (& the reputable medical places).
We knew it wasn't a bad one. Her breathing didn't seem affected (save for the normal asthmatic wheezing), her tongue wasn't swollen. She wasn't drooling & her digestion didn't seem affected. But, it was a Friday night & I didn't want to wait all weekend for her to be seen. It just feels better to get a medical opinion.
As we were passing an exit, about 20 minutes from here, which has an urgent care, I felt like we should just go there. Knowing the severity (or lack of) of this particular episode, I figured this might do the trick. Nothing committal or heavy duty. Just an on duty physician who can check her & someone to get her vitals.
Jeff agreed, so we took her there.
Thank goodness it wasn't an emergency (urgent, my behind!). We were immediately taken to a room, where we waited for another 15 or so minutes. Saw a nurse, then waited another 5 or so for a doctor. When the dr came in (who couldn't have been any older than me), she listened to her lungs, said they sounded fine, then started writing the discharge papers.
"Um, could you at least check her mouth, her airway?"
"Oh. Sure....
Yep, looks great. Good job Mom."
Okay. ?
Then, patted us on the back & said, "See you later." (hope not!)
And that my friends, was the first & last time we visit an ice cream shop.
Despite an offer from Nana to babysit -- we didn't plan to head to town. We decided to hang around our sleepy town. Cash in a bandana's birthday giftcard from Aunt Stuf. Then to head home with a movie for the bigs & a movie for the littles.
Well, not being one of spontanaeity, and, of all of the dumb & stupid ideas, we decided to head to a little (newish) ice cream shop down on Main St.
As we walked into the cute (orange & yellow tiled floored, which I LOVED) soda shop look alike, Flynn was lit up like Christmas. We'd never done anything like this. But deceived by our good fortune lately, we thought we might branch out.
We immediately addressed the person who appeared to be the most 'in charge'. She seemed knowledgeable about this one particular sorbet & swore it to be milk-free. She obliged us when we asked to read the ingredients. And, I quickly gave my order to another employee to go help the littles find a 'clean' place to plop down.
We gingerly gave Flynn a nibble, from one of those tiny sampling spoons. We made her wait a few minutes before another nibble. And after not an inkling of a reaction, we allowed her to go hog-wild (or would that be cow-wild?!).
Two minutes into our seemingly pleasant ice cream visit. Jeff, who was sitting across from her at a table for two, calls over to me, "Honey, look at her lips!!".
So, she comes running to me & jumps in my lap (which is a tail-tale sign that it's not going well & she's feeling that feeling of strangeness). Sure enough, a mouth full of welts surrounding her even poutier pouty lips.
Jeff grabs her medicine bag, we give her a dose of benadryl. And watch her response. I decided to run to the car w/ her (tired of the staring), and on the way she started wheezing. This would've typically freaked me out, yet she's been having asthma flare ups with our poor air quality (thanks Hurricane Ike).
Jeff & Gabe were shortly behind us. I asked him to jump in the back with the kids while I jumped in the driver's seat & headed away from our one-horse hospital toward the city (& the reputable medical places).
We knew it wasn't a bad one. Her breathing didn't seem affected (save for the normal asthmatic wheezing), her tongue wasn't swollen. She wasn't drooling & her digestion didn't seem affected. But, it was a Friday night & I didn't want to wait all weekend for her to be seen. It just feels better to get a medical opinion.
As we were passing an exit, about 20 minutes from here, which has an urgent care, I felt like we should just go there. Knowing the severity (or lack of) of this particular episode, I figured this might do the trick. Nothing committal or heavy duty. Just an on duty physician who can check her & someone to get her vitals.
Jeff agreed, so we took her there.
Thank goodness it wasn't an emergency (urgent, my behind!). We were immediately taken to a room, where we waited for another 15 or so minutes. Saw a nurse, then waited another 5 or so for a doctor. When the dr came in (who couldn't have been any older than me), she listened to her lungs, said they sounded fine, then started writing the discharge papers.
"Um, could you at least check her mouth, her airway?"
"Oh. Sure....
Yep, looks great. Good job Mom."
Okay. ?
Then, patted us on the back & said, "See you later." (hope not!)
And that my friends, was the first & last time we visit an ice cream shop.
7.03.2008
Safe Cheese
Flynn was so excited to get, try, & enjoy her first (that she remembered) package of 'american' slices of soy cheese -- that I had to capture it on video (pardon the cell phone quality).
6.25.2008
The Blessed-By-Jesus Drawer
There is a 'skinny' drawer in the kitchen, that I kept 'baby things' in (bibs, spoons, medicine spoons, etc.). Then, when my oldest baby got bigger, I started keeping snacks in there that are safe for her. That way, if she gets permission, she can access the drawer for a safe & (sometimes) healthy snack.
Today she has the munchies. And after earning a marshmallow for cleaning up a mess that Gabe created, she said she was still hungry. I told her she could pick something from her drawer. After a recent allergy fair, I dumped our bag of allergy-friendly goodies. Among those were lots of kosher treats. She spied a tiny package (of about 6) m&m-knockoffs. She was THRILLED. We did our usual take a nibble, wait a few minutes to see if she reacts...then have at it. Well, she fortunately did well, then skipped & sang as she practiced such self-control - a nibble here, a nibble there. She made those little m&ms last forever.
And she was so thankful. She sidled beside me & said, "I'm so glad! Jesus made me a whole drawer of safe snacks!"
Today she has the munchies. And after earning a marshmallow for cleaning up a mess that Gabe created, she said she was still hungry. I told her she could pick something from her drawer. After a recent allergy fair, I dumped our bag of allergy-friendly goodies. Among those were lots of kosher treats. She spied a tiny package (of about 6) m&m-knockoffs. She was THRILLED. We did our usual take a nibble, wait a few minutes to see if she reacts...then have at it. Well, she fortunately did well, then skipped & sang as she practiced such self-control - a nibble here, a nibble there. She made those little m&ms last forever.
And she was so thankful. She sidled beside me & said, "I'm so glad! Jesus made me a whole drawer of safe snacks!"
5.29.2008
Kids Eat Free
It's easy to just look at a K.E.F. list & get to go wherever. But just like anywhere we go to eat, it takes research (& prayers) ahead of time.
So, here is a list of St Louis area restaurants whocelebrate participate in a KIDS EAT FREE night (or more). note: to my friends in other states, some of these restaurants are in your area too, so read on!
Kriegers Sports Grill: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
Their ingredients/nutritional facts are no where to be found. I've emailed them for that.
Cici's: KIDS 3 & UNDER ARE FREE EVERYDAY.
We had decent luck with Flynn was a baby with plain pasta. HOWEVER, the last few years, we have not taken her in there. The open food bar poses too many threats.
D Dooley's: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The website gives no ingredients/nutritional facts (just a menu), so this is one place we'd have to "chance" going & seeing firsthand (which does sometimes have its advantages) if they had anything that was safe. Doing it this way sometimes brings the manager/owner out of the woodwork & will show firsthand, if a restaurant is allergy-friendly or not. There are only 2 locations: Fenton & Eureka.
Fortel's Pizza Den: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The pasta (we have had good luck w/ spaghetti) as well as the red pasta sauce, are both safe. She loves it. They also get their drinks free! (adults, bring your cups from last time & get a super great discount on your drink)
O'Charley's: KIDS UNDER 10 EAT FREE *EVERYDAY* (doesn't include drinks)
"O'tenders" are safe for Flynn. As are the fries.
We love this place, even tho the service is hit or miss.
IHOP: *KIDS EAT FREE EVERYDAY*.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them requesting ingredients.
Pasta House Company: KIDS EAT FREE SUNDAYS.
Plain pasta has been fine for her in the past. And the rolls were fine when she was a baby but the ingredients may have changed.
Culpeppers: Monday nights KIDS EAT FREE.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them to ask for them. Flynn's never eaten there.
Fazoli's : Tues nights, kids eat for 99 cents.
Flynn has plain spaghetti...there is one red sauce that's 'safe', but she prefers plain anyway.
Ponderosa: (or as we call it as we drive by "Pon da gross a", because we're so mature) Kids Eat Free on TUESDAYS.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.
Captain Ds: KIDS EAT FREE after 4:00 on Thursdays. Includes the drink.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.
LoneStar Steakhouse: KIDS EAT FREE, 11 am - 4 pm on Saturdays.
Again, totally unsure what's safe for the girl -- email has been sent.
Fuddruckers: Kids 12 and under eat 99 cent meals on Monday and Tuesday after 4:00 pm, up to 2 kids per parent. They get an entree, side, drink and cookie.
Fraileys: Mondays KIDS EAT FREE.
This is pretty far from us, so I wouldn't go through the hastle of finding out what's safe for her.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Mondays KIDS EAT FOR 99 cents.
Email sent to them to get ingredients, meanwhile, we go elsewhere.
WHAT DO I SAY IN MY EMAIL?:
We're planning a trip to your restaurant but were unable to find the ingredients anywhere on your web site. My daughter has a severe allergy to milk-based ingredients. It's just easier if we find out what foods are safe for her, before we go to a restaurant.Is that something that could be emailed to me?
I really appreciate it & thank you in advance!
SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND TO TELL ME, BASICALLY, IN NOT SO MANY WORDS, TO JUST NOT BOTHER.
Meanwhile, eat up, for cheap!
So, here is a list of St Louis area restaurants who
Kriegers Sports Grill: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
Their ingredients/nutritional facts are no where to be found. I've emailed them for that.
Cici's: KIDS 3 & UNDER ARE FREE EVERYDAY.
We had decent luck with Flynn was a baby with plain pasta. HOWEVER, the last few years, we have not taken her in there. The open food bar poses too many threats.
D Dooley's: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The website gives no ingredients/nutritional facts (just a menu), so this is one place we'd have to "chance" going & seeing firsthand (which does sometimes have its advantages) if they had anything that was safe. Doing it this way sometimes brings the manager/owner out of the woodwork & will show firsthand, if a restaurant is allergy-friendly or not. There are only 2 locations: Fenton & Eureka.
Fortel's Pizza Den: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The pasta (we have had good luck w/ spaghetti) as well as the red pasta sauce, are both safe. She loves it. They also get their drinks free! (adults, bring your cups from last time & get a super great discount on your drink)
O'Charley's: KIDS UNDER 10 EAT FREE *EVERYDAY* (doesn't include drinks)
"O'tenders" are safe for Flynn. As are the fries.
We love this place, even tho the service is hit or miss.
IHOP: *KIDS EAT FREE EVERYDAY*.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them requesting ingredients.
Pasta House Company: KIDS EAT FREE SUNDAYS.
Plain pasta has been fine for her in the past. And the rolls were fine when she was a baby but the ingredients may have changed.
Culpeppers: Monday nights KIDS EAT FREE.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them to ask for them. Flynn's never eaten there.
Fazoli's : Tues nights, kids eat for 99 cents.
Flynn has plain spaghetti...there is one red sauce that's 'safe', but she prefers plain anyway.
Ponderosa: (or as we call it as we drive by "Pon da gross a", because we're so mature) Kids Eat Free on TUESDAYS.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.
Captain Ds: KIDS EAT FREE after 4:00 on Thursdays. Includes the drink.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.
LoneStar Steakhouse: KIDS EAT FREE, 11 am - 4 pm on Saturdays.
Again, totally unsure what's safe for the girl -- email has been sent.
Fuddruckers: Kids 12 and under eat 99 cent meals on Monday and Tuesday after 4:00 pm, up to 2 kids per parent. They get an entree, side, drink and cookie.
Fraileys: Mondays KIDS EAT FREE.
This is pretty far from us, so I wouldn't go through the hastle of finding out what's safe for her.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Mondays KIDS EAT FOR 99 cents.
Email sent to them to get ingredients, meanwhile, we go elsewhere.
WHAT DO I SAY IN MY EMAIL?:
We're planning a trip to your restaurant but were unable to find the ingredients anywhere on your web site. My daughter has a severe allergy to milk-based ingredients. It's just easier if we find out what foods are safe for her, before we go to a restaurant.Is that something that could be emailed to me?
I really appreciate it & thank you in advance!
SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND TO TELL ME, BASICALLY, IN NOT SO MANY WORDS, TO JUST NOT BOTHER.
Meanwhile, eat up, for cheap!
The Part Where I Want to Kick Someone In the Throat
...on account of reading some of the comments posted here. In response to our MLB stadium making a decision to open a peanut free section (ONE section) at one of the games this season (ONE game), they opened the question up to some the fine (using the term loosely) readers on their site.
Some people still think that parents of allergy kids are overreacting & blowing things out of proportion.
I wish those people had been around the evening last summer when Flynn's airway closed. And then I could've jammed the giant needle of the epi-pen into their leg as well.
As I read, I thought to myself, 'Really? Are there really people that ignorant? Really?'
And then I commented. And so did Jeff. And I wanted to kick someone in the throat.
Some people still think that parents of allergy kids are overreacting & blowing things out of proportion.
I wish those people had been around the evening last summer when Flynn's airway closed. And then I could've jammed the giant needle of the epi-pen into their leg as well.
As I read, I thought to myself, 'Really? Are there really people that ignorant? Really?'
And then I commented. And so did Jeff. And I wanted to kick someone in the throat.
5.12.2008
A Day in the Life of an Allergy Mom
It would take me forever to write every single moment or meticulous thing I have to do to ensure Flynn's safety. But here are some of the things I can remember (as I'm barely able to stay awake right now):
6:30 am Flynn wakes me. I know lots of moms who brag that their kiddos don't wake them or they can wave them off to the other room to play or watch tv. But not an option for us. She could help herself (not likely, but still) to something to eat or drink that could be deadly for her. Or if something was left out the night before, or by Jeff in haste for his early departure. So, I'm up with her.
She immediately asks for a drink. I go ahead & pour Bub's cup too since I like to group task & Mondays are a bit rushed. I have a method of unscrewing his cup, but leaving the lid on til the last moment...I then hold his lid in one hand as I fill it up w/ the other. That eliminates the chance that his lid will leave a residue on the sink. Which could be deadly to her (you'll see that phrase a few times)
7:30 am I put her breakfast out. We have this down pat, but I can't just give her any ol' thing. It has to be what we've bought ahead knowing it's safe. I gave her a banana & a roll.
8:30 am Papa gets here. I show him which cup is hers as she takes one final drink & puts it away. I also remind him that she'll be dropped off after dance by our good friend (the only one trusted so far w/ such a task) today.
8:45 am Load her up in the car. She asks to sit in Gabe's carseat which is in the middle. I usually say no becuz I'm scared the straps / upholstry could have something unsafe (dried milk ingredient something) on them. I say yes this time. For whatever reason.
9 am Drop Flynn off. Kiss her, but not directly on the lips. I don't think I've eaten anything unsafe, but it's just not good practice (besides, major germ-spreading). Touch base w/ good friend & double check that she's dropping Flynn off. I scan girls' faces as I walk out of the studio to see if anyone has obvious signs of dirty mouths / breakfast debris...
Five minutes later. Pray the whole way to my meeting that Flynn stays safe. Will a buddy hold her hand in dance class who maybe ate a chocolate donut on the way to dance? Will someone have a milk mustache & kiss her on the cheek?
10 am (in my meeting) The phone rings. It's Papa. He was a bit worried, Flynn got dropped off w/ a package of the McD's apple slices (sans caramel dip) & he's not sure they're safe. They are. And our good friends know this (she asked ahead of time) but I failed to communicate that to Papa. And am glad he double-checks everything.
11 am Read an email about a little boy who died from a peanut allergy. Say another prayer for Flynn that she'll be safe when she's out of my care.
11:30 am Leaving meeting to go to Shop N Save to get soy dream ice cream. Flynn's preschool is having a beach day & they're (for whatever reason) serving ice cream as the snack. So, I must bring an alternative unless I want her left out again.
They don't carry the i.c.sandwiches anymore. I sadly pick up a $5 pint of plain chocolate. Knowing I'll have to make them.
12 pm Get home. Scrub my hands.
Non challantly comb over her face when I see her. It's just habit now. I don't even mean to do it. So many times tho I've discovered welts/bumps/reactions from the outside 'world'.
12:30 pm Bribe her w/ "Just one more bite & we'll make cookies." We make the cookies. Then I smear dabs of ice cream on each & sandwich to freeze.
1 pm Make a mental note that I need to send a package of wet wipes w/ her for the kids to wipe their hands off after their ice cream. One drip could be deadly.
1:30 pm Try to convince Flynn that a nap would be really fun. And then I could get some stuff done.
4 pm Panic thinking about how I let Flynn talk me into her staying ALL DAY at preschool tomorrow. And what will she take for lunch??
6 pm Dino Nuggets, peas, & fries for supper. Daddy & I have pizza becuz he did a fundraiser & we ordered some. She gets close to me while I'm eating & I snap at her that she should know better than to get close to me when I'm eating something 'unsafe'. Then I think about how she's 4.5 yrs old & how many other kids her age have such responsibility.
Wash hands & mouth.
8 pm I'm working out & hear someone bashing McDonalds. I hate it too but defend it as it's one place we know she has a few safe options.
9 pm Get back from working out. Go to her bed where she's sleeping & kneel down. Say a long prayer that God will protect her like He always does. Please Lord, keep her wise & sound, bring to her rememberance all the careful procedures we've taught her. Give her teachers quickness & concentration w/ her allergy. Keep her from harm.
9:15 pm Laugh at the uncrustables Jeff tried to make. He blames his difficulties on the bread because it's "so soft".
Talk to Jeff about how I can keep her ic sandwiches froz during the 30-minute ride.
Pack the mother of all lunches. Daddy's sandwich (5th try). Pickle spears. Apple sauce. 2 cookies. I cut wheat tortilla into strips & Jeff laughed & asked what she was supposed to do w/ that. I just didn't want her to be hungry. So I sprinkled it w/ cinnamon. Frozen Capri Sun. I wrote I LOVE YOU on the container. I made sure I packed a paper plate & napkin. I got scared thinking about lunch time tomorrow.
10 pm Read email. Allergy fair coming this weekend. Excited about seeing new stuff to make our lives easier.
This is one of the easier days. Scary days are days w/ birthday parties & family dinners. Or going places like chuck e cheese's or someone's house. There are a million things I do everyday w/o even realizing it, that I did not document because it's just 2nd nature to me from doing them for over 4 years.
I always have to give God thanks for blessing Jeff & I with our abilities to keep Flynn's environment safe. I've only messed up a couple of times. And that's only because of God's protection.
6:30 am Flynn wakes me. I know lots of moms who brag that their kiddos don't wake them or they can wave them off to the other room to play or watch tv. But not an option for us. She could help herself (not likely, but still) to something to eat or drink that could be deadly for her. Or if something was left out the night before, or by Jeff in haste for his early departure. So, I'm up with her.
She immediately asks for a drink. I go ahead & pour Bub's cup too since I like to group task & Mondays are a bit rushed. I have a method of unscrewing his cup, but leaving the lid on til the last moment...I then hold his lid in one hand as I fill it up w/ the other. That eliminates the chance that his lid will leave a residue on the sink. Which could be deadly to her (you'll see that phrase a few times)
7:30 am I put her breakfast out. We have this down pat, but I can't just give her any ol' thing. It has to be what we've bought ahead knowing it's safe. I gave her a banana & a roll.
8:30 am Papa gets here. I show him which cup is hers as she takes one final drink & puts it away. I also remind him that she'll be dropped off after dance by our good friend (the only one trusted so far w/ such a task) today.
8:45 am Load her up in the car. She asks to sit in Gabe's carseat which is in the middle. I usually say no becuz I'm scared the straps / upholstry could have something unsafe (dried milk ingredient something) on them. I say yes this time. For whatever reason.
9 am Drop Flynn off. Kiss her, but not directly on the lips. I don't think I've eaten anything unsafe, but it's just not good practice (besides, major germ-spreading). Touch base w/ good friend & double check that she's dropping Flynn off. I scan girls' faces as I walk out of the studio to see if anyone has obvious signs of dirty mouths / breakfast debris...
Five minutes later. Pray the whole way to my meeting that Flynn stays safe. Will a buddy hold her hand in dance class who maybe ate a chocolate donut on the way to dance? Will someone have a milk mustache & kiss her on the cheek?
10 am (in my meeting) The phone rings. It's Papa. He was a bit worried, Flynn got dropped off w/ a package of the McD's apple slices (sans caramel dip) & he's not sure they're safe. They are. And our good friends know this (she asked ahead of time) but I failed to communicate that to Papa. And am glad he double-checks everything.
11 am Read an email about a little boy who died from a peanut allergy. Say another prayer for Flynn that she'll be safe when she's out of my care.
11:30 am Leaving meeting to go to Shop N Save to get soy dream ice cream. Flynn's preschool is having a beach day & they're (for whatever reason) serving ice cream as the snack. So, I must bring an alternative unless I want her left out again.
They don't carry the i.c.sandwiches anymore. I sadly pick up a $5 pint of plain chocolate. Knowing I'll have to make them.
12 pm Get home. Scrub my hands.
Non challantly comb over her face when I see her. It's just habit now. I don't even mean to do it. So many times tho I've discovered welts/bumps/reactions from the outside 'world'.
12:30 pm Bribe her w/ "Just one more bite & we'll make cookies." We make the cookies. Then I smear dabs of ice cream on each & sandwich to freeze.
1 pm Make a mental note that I need to send a package of wet wipes w/ her for the kids to wipe their hands off after their ice cream. One drip could be deadly.
1:30 pm Try to convince Flynn that a nap would be really fun. And then I could get some stuff done.
4 pm Panic thinking about how I let Flynn talk me into her staying ALL DAY at preschool tomorrow. And what will she take for lunch??
6 pm Dino Nuggets, peas, & fries for supper. Daddy & I have pizza becuz he did a fundraiser & we ordered some. She gets close to me while I'm eating & I snap at her that she should know better than to get close to me when I'm eating something 'unsafe'. Then I think about how she's 4.5 yrs old & how many other kids her age have such responsibility.
Wash hands & mouth.
8 pm I'm working out & hear someone bashing McDonalds. I hate it too but defend it as it's one place we know she has a few safe options.
9 pm Get back from working out. Go to her bed where she's sleeping & kneel down. Say a long prayer that God will protect her like He always does. Please Lord, keep her wise & sound, bring to her rememberance all the careful procedures we've taught her. Give her teachers quickness & concentration w/ her allergy. Keep her from harm.
9:15 pm Laugh at the uncrustables Jeff tried to make. He blames his difficulties on the bread because it's "so soft".
Talk to Jeff about how I can keep her ic sandwiches froz during the 30-minute ride.
Pack the mother of all lunches. Daddy's sandwich (5th try). Pickle spears. Apple sauce. 2 cookies. I cut wheat tortilla into strips & Jeff laughed & asked what she was supposed to do w/ that. I just didn't want her to be hungry. So I sprinkled it w/ cinnamon. Frozen Capri Sun. I wrote I LOVE YOU on the container. I made sure I packed a paper plate & napkin. I got scared thinking about lunch time tomorrow.
10 pm Read email. Allergy fair coming this weekend. Excited about seeing new stuff to make our lives easier.
This is one of the easier days. Scary days are days w/ birthday parties & family dinners. Or going places like chuck e cheese's or someone's house. There are a million things I do everyday w/o even realizing it, that I did not document because it's just 2nd nature to me from doing them for over 4 years.
I always have to give God thanks for blessing Jeff & I with our abilities to keep Flynn's environment safe. I've only messed up a couple of times. And that's only because of God's protection.
4.22.2008
Doctor Do-Little
UPDATE: We had him tested for cow's milk, at 12 mos & it was a false positive (thank God). He's had two allergy appts - one at 1 yr, the other at 2 yr bday. Both times, both allergists said he's not currently suffering from either of the A's. Thank God. But I do think it's interesting that he got a breathing treatment last night & quit coughing & fell right to sleep.
Gabe, donning the specs of Read (Flynn's latest build-a-bear)Gabe got a cold on Good Friday. A few days later that cough began. For the following month, he has had a pretty bad cough, off & on. About two weeks after the cough began, I called the pediatrician's office, who offered to 'call out something for the cough.' I'm all about keeping the kids comfy, but am not thrilled about just putting a band aid on the problem. So I declined & did what I hoped would help.
Last week, his coughing escalated & by mid-week, he'd spiked a fever. I called the pedi-office, where I 'asked' for him to be seen. As I posted last week, we were sent onto have x-rays done, which were clear & negative for pneumonia. On the phone, the phone nurse from the dr's office, gave me the results & then recommended I treat the fever. No antibiotics.
That kind of surprised me; I figured if we needed an x-ray, we'd need some antibiotics. But, I trust the dr very much, & didn't argue it.
But, after he ran a temp all day Friday. Sat early morning. Then, again Sunday night, I've really been concerned. He has to be losing weight, he is not interested in eating most of the time. I can almost get one meal out of him each day. All morning with Papa, he just wanted to lay in Papa's arms. And THAT is rare when his favorite person of all time, Papa is here. Then, he fell asleep just a few hours after waking, & ended up sleeping over 4 hours. Now, the boy loves his naps, but doesn't usually love them 4 hour's worth.
Whatever this is, doesn't appear to be contagious. I've accidentally exposed him to others(unknowingly) several times. And over this month-long illness, not one of us has succumbed to what he has.
So, here I sit, hearing him cough his head off while he tries to sleep. Sometimes the cough sounds like he's getting something up; sometimes it's high in tone & almost squeaky. This past month we've tried triaminic, dimetapp, children's mucinex, rx-robitussin, rx-bromfed, humidifiers, showers, warm apple juice, avoiding dairy, propping him, praying for him. Jeff & I have just now decided to use Sissy's nebulizer to give him an albuterol treatment (totally diagnosing & medicating him OURSELVES) to see if that will help him at all.
If tomorrow is anything like today, I will call before the office closes to set an appointment for the following morning. If they don't want to see him, perhaps we'll be trying out a new practice. A month is too long to put up with being sick.
So, say a prayer for my sick skinny boy, that he'll get some relief & sleep cough-free tonight. And won't see another virus til NEXT flu season.
4.16.2008
It's Probably My Fault Again
note: My sis just told me that the mona vie w/ the green label (which is what I have) contains shelfish. That could be it.
With nothing else to think about, I've been mulling it over & over in my mind, just what in the world my girl had a reaction to!
The Acai berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world... nature's perfect energy fruit... so I've started drinking Mona Vie, thanks to a generous distributor who has just GIVEN me my 2nd bottle.
Yesterday, a little of the juice got on Flynn's straw (from a cup), which was drying on a nearby towel. I thought nothing of it, the drink is natural, dairy free, & nothing but berries/fruits. So I rinsed it well, in hot water, & sat it back on the towel to dry.
She drank from that cup at 9 pm at bedtime. At 10:45 pm she was in the middle of her reaction. Her allergist just told me this morning that most food allergy reactions happen right away - usually within 2 hours. And that he felt strongly that she had had a viral reaction. ?? I think he's a wonderful doctor & agree with most things he says, but not this. I truly think she had a reaction to one of the fruits in the mona vie.
And once again I've nearly killed my child.
Mother of the Year?
Thank you for most who have asked how she is. Much better...well enough to pick fights with her bubby. Last night, while sheslept had night terror after night terror, I did lots of web surfing & got much info. I have to thank God again for His blessings of everything always turning out okay (there's no eloquent way of saying it).
So, now we will be sure that she avoids acai, apricot, aronia, acerola, purple grape, passion fruit, camu camu, banana, lychee fruit, nashi pear, kiwi, pomegranate, prune, wolfberry, pear, bilberry, cranberry, blueberry, white grape. Must've been one of those fruits.
With nothing else to think about, I've been mulling it over & over in my mind, just what in the world my girl had a reaction to!
The Acai berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world... nature's perfect energy fruit... so I've started drinking Mona Vie, thanks to a generous distributor who has just GIVEN me my 2nd bottle.
Yesterday, a little of the juice got on Flynn's straw (from a cup), which was drying on a nearby towel. I thought nothing of it, the drink is natural, dairy free, & nothing but berries/fruits. So I rinsed it well, in hot water, & sat it back on the towel to dry.
She drank from that cup at 9 pm at bedtime. At 10:45 pm she was in the middle of her reaction. Her allergist just told me this morning that most food allergy reactions happen right away - usually within 2 hours. And that he felt strongly that she had had a viral reaction. ?? I think he's a wonderful doctor & agree with most things he says, but not this. I truly think she had a reaction to one of the fruits in the mona vie.
And once again I've nearly killed my child.
Mother of the Year?
Thank you for most who have asked how she is. Much better...well enough to pick fights with her bubby. Last night, while she
So, now we will be sure that she avoids acai, apricot, aronia, acerola, purple grape, passion fruit, camu camu, banana, lychee fruit, nashi pear, kiwi, pomegranate, prune, wolfberry, pear, bilberry, cranberry, blueberry, white grape. Must've been one of those fruits.
I Don't Know What People Do...
Who don't cry out to God.
I just wonder what they do when they're holding their sick child.
I am super thankful to serve a God who hears & answers prayers. It's lonely to think of not calling out to Him in times of trouble.
As of late, I've been out as soon as I sit down in the recliner or when my head hits the pillow. Tonight, that was at the miraculous time of 9:30. So, at 11 pm, I was smack dab in the middle of a REM. That's when Jeff yelled for me.
He was standing over Flynn in her bed, her 'overhead' light was on, & she was screaming, rolling around, & scratching furiously -- at about 50 patches of hives.
First of all, I had put my glasses on upside down, yes that's possible. So, when I got my bearings straight, I squatted down next to her bed & started barking orders.
One order was benadryl chewables. Thank God it's now made in this form. Except, it's really hard to open. And, I gave her 2 instead of 1. But, had we ended up in the ER, she would've gotten another antihistamine shot, so I didn't figure she was overdosed.
But, she was still in agony -- it's almost like when she has reactions, the itching is 'internal' & she's in torture. So, we used 1/2 a tube of benadryl cream on her spots. And if that stuff is absorbed into the bloodstream, she might end up sleeping for days.
Then, stripped down, we continually assess her hives. Are they less red? Are they going away?
And we check her breathing. Make sure she's not swelling. Check her pulse to be sure it's not slowed down enough for blood pressure to be a concern.
Anything that would point toward anaphylaxis.
And I worry - and tell Jeff, maybe we should take her to the ER. But the decent hospital is half an hour away & I know that anything that 'needs' to be done would need to be done within that time frame.
We bring her in the living room to change her clothes, just in case she had a reaction to her pjs or bedding. And she reaches out for me & only wants me to hold her.
So I realize this is my opportunity to get a hold of her & really pray over her.
I asked God to help her of course, but to also help us because we had to make such crucial decisions.
I mean, sheesh, if we were talking about some hives or a rash, it's one thing. But to know that less than a year ago, she almost died. And we're trying to figure out if it was something she had eaten or something had touched her.
Then you run through, in your mind, all the things that could happen. If I don't take her to the ER. If I do.
And you ask God to please give you wisdom. And you rock & rock & pray & thank Him because He gives a peace that You know only comes from Him.
And before I realized it - she had stopped her flailing, her moaning, & she was calm.
Schwoo - thank You once again Lord.
And now, she sleeps here on the couch beside me so I can watch her breathe. And keep thanking God.
I just wonder what they do when they're holding their sick child.
I am super thankful to serve a God who hears & answers prayers. It's lonely to think of not calling out to Him in times of trouble.
As of late, I've been out as soon as I sit down in the recliner or when my head hits the pillow. Tonight, that was at the miraculous time of 9:30. So, at 11 pm, I was smack dab in the middle of a REM. That's when Jeff yelled for me.
He was standing over Flynn in her bed, her 'overhead' light was on, & she was screaming, rolling around, & scratching furiously -- at about 50 patches of hives.
First of all, I had put my glasses on upside down, yes that's possible. So, when I got my bearings straight, I squatted down next to her bed & started barking orders.
One order was benadryl chewables. Thank God it's now made in this form. Except, it's really hard to open. And, I gave her 2 instead of 1. But, had we ended up in the ER, she would've gotten another antihistamine shot, so I didn't figure she was overdosed.
But, she was still in agony -- it's almost like when she has reactions, the itching is 'internal' & she's in torture. So, we used 1/2 a tube of benadryl cream on her spots. And if that stuff is absorbed into the bloodstream, she might end up sleeping for days.
Then, stripped down, we continually assess her hives. Are they less red? Are they going away?
And we check her breathing. Make sure she's not swelling. Check her pulse to be sure it's not slowed down enough for blood pressure to be a concern.
Anything that would point toward anaphylaxis.
And I worry - and tell Jeff, maybe we should take her to the ER. But the decent hospital is half an hour away & I know that anything that 'needs' to be done would need to be done within that time frame.
We bring her in the living room to change her clothes, just in case she had a reaction to her pjs or bedding. And she reaches out for me & only wants me to hold her.
So I realize this is my opportunity to get a hold of her & really pray over her.
I asked God to help her of course, but to also help us because we had to make such crucial decisions.
I mean, sheesh, if we were talking about some hives or a rash, it's one thing. But to know that less than a year ago, she almost died. And we're trying to figure out if it was something she had eaten or something had touched her.
Then you run through, in your mind, all the things that could happen. If I don't take her to the ER. If I do.
And you ask God to please give you wisdom. And you rock & rock & pray & thank Him because He gives a peace that You know only comes from Him.
And before I realized it - she had stopped her flailing, her moaning, & she was calm.
Schwoo - thank You once again Lord.
And now, she sleeps here on the couch beside me so I can watch her breathe. And keep thanking God.
3.29.2008
3.28.2008
Trace doesn't win THE APPRENTICE, boo
I was sad when The Trumpster announced to Pierc (sp?) that he'd won.
And right before that, when you could tell he was telling Trace how great he was (so he could let him down easy), Jeff turned to me & said, "Oh no." & I said, "Crap!" because I REALLY REALLY wanted him to win.
But right before that (before I said crap & was mad that he was losing), I said to Jeff, "Even if he doesn't win, he has done SO much for the allergy community to raise awareness."
There are so many people who have NO CLUE what it's like to have a real food allergy & the seriousness of it.
And for those people to see a celebrity talk about their real life & a small portion of what it's like to deal.
I'm thankful.
And one of these days, when I have a huge amount of time on my hands, I will write to show you a glimpse of what it is like living with an allergic child.
You've read some of it, but I still think you'd be surprised.
And right before that, when you could tell he was telling Trace how great he was (so he could let him down easy), Jeff turned to me & said, "Oh no." & I said, "Crap!" because I REALLY REALLY wanted him to win.
But right before that (before I said crap & was mad that he was losing), I said to Jeff, "Even if he doesn't win, he has done SO much for the allergy community to raise awareness."
There are so many people who have NO CLUE what it's like to have a real food allergy & the seriousness of it.
And for those people to see a celebrity talk about their real life & a small portion of what it's like to deal.
I'm thankful.
And one of these days, when I have a huge amount of time on my hands, I will write to show you a glimpse of what it is like living with an allergic child.
You've read some of it, but I still think you'd be surprised.
3.27.2008
The First (& possibly last) Time You'll Ever Hear Me Plug THE APPRENTICE
Country Star and FAAN Spokesperson Trace Adkins One of Final Two Contestants on “The Celebrity Apprentice”
Out of the fourteen original contestants, Trace Adkins is one of the last two players competing for the championship crown on the two-hour live finale of “The Celebrity Apprentice” Thursday, March 27 (9-11pm ET/PT; NBC). It will be the final boardroom showdown between the country music star and British tabloid editor/“America's Got Talent” Judge, Piers Morgan, as Trump makes his final decision and awards a $250K bonus check to the winner's charity.
The final face-off has the two celebrities preparing for a charity auction and performance by multi-platinum group, The Backstreet Boys. They use every bit of star power to battle it out in the final task. Adkins faces the demands of the band, while Morgan is let down by celebrity helper, Stephen Baldwin. With the auction completed, Trump faces his final decision - who will be hired as “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
Throughout the series Adkins developed several marketing concepts that helped keep him in the game and were deemed effective enough to be used by several companies. He wrote and narrated “The Pedigree Dog Adoption” commercial that was broadcast on USA Network during February’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. When asked to develop an awareness campaign for the Crocs’ shoe donation program, Adkins suggested, “Wear ’em, share ’em,” which evolved into “Wear a pair, share a pair,” a slogan that Crocs has adopted and is using on their website. For the Quiznos competition, Adkins created a new sandwich called the “Prime Rib Cowboy Club” that is now for sale for a limited time in over 5,000 Quiznos locations across the country.
Although he has continuously impressed his teammates and viewers with his ideas and determination to play the game with integrity, Adkins admits he didn’t expect to make it this far in the competition.
“I’m really surprised to be here and extremely proud to be representing FAAN,” says Adkins. “I intend to conclude my time on this show with my dignity in tact, and I will try to be as respectful as Piers will allow me to be.”
On “The Celebrity Apprentice” website there is a poll asking, “Who should be the Celebrity Apprentice?” Trace is up against Piers Morgan. Vote for Trace today! Let’s show everyone Trace has what it takes to win the show and become the first “Celebrity Apprentice.”
Watch “The Celebrity Apprentice” on NBC Thursday at 9:00 p.m. EST.
“I decided to do this show because I wanted to help raise awareness for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN),” says Adkins, who has a daughter with severe food allergies. “I don’t think many people are aware that so many children are developing food allergies these days. Something we’re doing has to be causing this, and we’ve got to figure out what it is.”
Adkins is competing in business-driven tasks around New York City to raise money and awareness for FAAN, his designated charity. Throughout the series, over a million dollars will be raised for various charities, and the winner who gets crowned as the first “Celebrity Apprentice” will also have the honor of delivering a $250,000 bonus check to their charity of choice.
Watch exclusive interviews with Trace at NBC.com. The website also offers deleted scenes, photos, “Celebrity Apprentice” games, and a sneak peek at upcoming episodes. To listen to Trace comment on weekly episodes, visit http://www.traceadkins.com/main.
On “The Celebrity Apprentice” website there is a poll asking, “Who should be the Celebrity Apprentice?” Trace is up against Piers Morgan. Vote for Trace today! Let’s show everyone Trace has what it takes to win the show and become the first “Celebrity Apprentice.”
Watch “The Celebrity Apprentice” on NBC Thursday at 9:00 p.m. EST.
“I decided to do this show because I wanted to help raise awareness for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN),” says Adkins, who has a daughter with severe food allergies. “I don’t think many people are aware that so many children are developing food allergies these days. Something we’re doing has to be causing this, and we’ve got to figure out what it is.”
Adkins is competing in business-driven tasks around New York City to raise money and awareness for FAAN, his designated charity. Throughout the series, over a million dollars will be raised for various charities, and the winner who gets crowned as the first “Celebrity Apprentice” will also have the honor of delivering a $250,000 bonus check to their charity of choice.
Watch exclusive interviews with Trace at NBC.com. The website also offers deleted scenes, photos, “Celebrity Apprentice” games, and a sneak peek at upcoming episodes. To listen to Trace comment on weekly episodes, visit http://www.traceadkins.com/main.
Hearing other parents talk about their struggles w/ their own kids is pretty emotional to me. Going through what we've gone through with Flynn has been the toughest thing we've ever went through.
Also, click on over to my milk allergy blog (link on side bar) to hear my latest delight with McDonalds. And parents who have no sense.
2.12.2008
O's, not X's
Are you a Careful Kisser?
How to Smooch Safely with Food Allergies This Valentine's Day
DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Feb. 11 (AScribe Newswire) --
For most parents ofteens, Valentine's Day may evoke over-protective thoughts regarding their child. "I've got two daughters and I think they should never kiss anyone!"exclaimed Roger Friedman, MD, Clinical Professor of Allergy, Immunology, andPediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
All joking aside, parents of food-allergic children have even more cause to be wary of smooching. Today, 3 to 4 million children are affected by food allergies, and allergic reactions can be triggered not just byconsuming food firsthand. Kissing - ranging from passionate to a peck on the cheek - can also prompt a reaction.
"You're pretty unlikely to have anything severe happen from a kiss. But it can happen and you need to be smart," Dr. Friedman advised.
A common form of affection on Valentine's Day, kissing becomes a problem when a grandparent or date consumes an allergen before smooching afood-allergic child or teen.
"A peck on the cheek from a parent or relative will almost always only result in a local reaction such as a welt or hive; it's very unlikely to cause any severe reaction that you'd be worried about," Dr. Friedman explained.
Short of suggesting kissing be prohibited this Valentine's Day, Dr.Friedman recommends teenagers, especially, play it safe. "If you're in a committed relationship that involves passionate kissing, tell your date 'I'm allergic to nuts, please don't eat any before you kiss my face!'" he suggested.
Todd D. Green, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, agreed.
"If a date cares enough about their Valentine to kiss her or him, hopefully they'll care enough to refrain from eating the food theirValentine is allergic to that day," he said.
Kissing (and even sharing utensils, straws and cups) causes exposure to food allergens through saliva, which can contain enough allergen to cause local and systemic allergic reactions. In a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, participants ingested two tablespoons of peanut butter to establish how long the peanut allergen stays in saliva. Researchers collected the saliva of the participants at different times, and also evaluated mouth-cleansing techniques (brushing teeth, rinsing and chewing gum).
According to the study, "the most effective way to avoid causing an allergic reaction, if you're going to eat the food to which your partner is allergic, is to eat the food several hours before a kiss and have a mealf ree of the allergen before you kiss - although not eating the food at all would always be the safest approach," said Dr. Green. Though the risk of having a severe allergic reaction from a kiss is small, there is always a slight possibility, said Dr. Green. "Unfortunately you can't predict the amount of protein that will be transferred during kissing, and it is difficult to predict the reaction," he said. That said, it is better to err on the safe side.
Online support group Kids With Food Allergies offers these tips for safe smooching on Valentine's Day:
- Remind your kissing partner about your allergies;
- Suggest your partner avoid eating serious allergens, if possible;
- Ask your partner to minimize allergen exposure, such as by washinghands and face, or brushing teeth thoroughly, before kissing;
- Carry appropriate medication and know how to use an injectableepinephrine kit;
- Wear emergency medical identification (such as a MedicAlertbracelet).
For more tips on staying safe this Valentine's Day, visit http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org .
Our little Flynn's milk allergy is very much like a peanut allergy in that she's so sensitive to contact (& she even has had an airborn reaction a time or two).
Even to a kiss from Papa on the cheek, after he's drank coffee w/ cream in it. Or once when daddy ate ice cream & only 'rinsed' his hands (didn't use soap) -- everywhere daddy touched Flynn, there were burn-like marks.
If you ever want to show our girl affection, first we suggest you just give her a hug; but if you feel compelled to kiss her on the cheek, please wash your hands & face after eating the unsafe food.
Her little cheeks appreciate it!
How to Smooch Safely with Food Allergies This Valentine's Day
DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Feb. 11 (AScribe Newswire) --
For most parents ofteens, Valentine's Day may evoke over-protective thoughts regarding their child. "I've got two daughters and I think they should never kiss anyone!"exclaimed Roger Friedman, MD, Clinical Professor of Allergy, Immunology, andPediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
All joking aside, parents of food-allergic children have even more cause to be wary of smooching. Today, 3 to 4 million children are affected by food allergies, and allergic reactions can be triggered not just byconsuming food firsthand. Kissing - ranging from passionate to a peck on the cheek - can also prompt a reaction.
"You're pretty unlikely to have anything severe happen from a kiss. But it can happen and you need to be smart," Dr. Friedman advised.
A common form of affection on Valentine's Day, kissing becomes a problem when a grandparent or date consumes an allergen before smooching afood-allergic child or teen.
"A peck on the cheek from a parent or relative will almost always only result in a local reaction such as a welt or hive; it's very unlikely to cause any severe reaction that you'd be worried about," Dr. Friedman explained.
Short of suggesting kissing be prohibited this Valentine's Day, Dr.Friedman recommends teenagers, especially, play it safe. "If you're in a committed relationship that involves passionate kissing, tell your date 'I'm allergic to nuts, please don't eat any before you kiss my face!'" he suggested.
Todd D. Green, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, agreed.
"If a date cares enough about their Valentine to kiss her or him, hopefully they'll care enough to refrain from eating the food theirValentine is allergic to that day," he said.
Kissing (and even sharing utensils, straws and cups) causes exposure to food allergens through saliva, which can contain enough allergen to cause local and systemic allergic reactions. In a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, participants ingested two tablespoons of peanut butter to establish how long the peanut allergen stays in saliva. Researchers collected the saliva of the participants at different times, and also evaluated mouth-cleansing techniques (brushing teeth, rinsing and chewing gum).
According to the study, "the most effective way to avoid causing an allergic reaction, if you're going to eat the food to which your partner is allergic, is to eat the food several hours before a kiss and have a mealf ree of the allergen before you kiss - although not eating the food at all would always be the safest approach," said Dr. Green. Though the risk of having a severe allergic reaction from a kiss is small, there is always a slight possibility, said Dr. Green. "Unfortunately you can't predict the amount of protein that will be transferred during kissing, and it is difficult to predict the reaction," he said. That said, it is better to err on the safe side.
Online support group Kids With Food Allergies offers these tips for safe smooching on Valentine's Day:
- Remind your kissing partner about your allergies;
- Suggest your partner avoid eating serious allergens, if possible;
- Ask your partner to minimize allergen exposure, such as by washinghands and face, or brushing teeth thoroughly, before kissing;
- Carry appropriate medication and know how to use an injectableepinephrine kit;
- Wear emergency medical identification (such as a MedicAlertbracelet).
For more tips on staying safe this Valentine's Day, visit http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org .
Our little Flynn's milk allergy is very much like a peanut allergy in that she's so sensitive to contact (& she even has had an airborn reaction a time or two).
Even to a kiss from Papa on the cheek, after he's drank coffee w/ cream in it. Or once when daddy ate ice cream & only 'rinsed' his hands (didn't use soap) -- everywhere daddy touched Flynn, there were burn-like marks.
If you ever want to show our girl affection, first we suggest you just give her a hug; but if you feel compelled to kiss her on the cheek, please wash your hands & face after eating the unsafe food.
Her little cheeks appreciate it!
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