Allergic Reactions Happen

This is what happens when peanuts touch her skin! She did not eat them but something with peanut on it touched her. Can you imagine what would happen if she ate one? This is why it's so important to read labels and take all food allergies seriously! One taste and she could die!

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose Intolerance is the new issue in our home. J has always suffered with bouts of diarrhea. She has never really had normal BM's. The first time we had 12 weeks of diarrhea at the age of 3. After tons of test, going milk free and seeing the Dr every few days to check for weight loss she was diagnosed with Toddler Diarrhea. The Dr said that one day it would just stop and it did. Then at the age of 4 we had another 13 weeks of diarrhea. We had all the tests done again and the only thing we found out was that her protein levels were low. So, we bumped up the protein and she started feeling better and poop was a little more solid. Now, at age 5 we have diarrhea again! Only this time is it so much worse. She can't hold it to make it to the potty. We've had her on lactose free milk since the last bout with this at age 4 but we still allowed her to eat cheese, yogurt and other dairy. Well, that has all stopped. J is now a lactose free kid! So, on top of reading labels for peanut and eggs warnings we are adding milk and dairy! Can I please catch a break in the food allergy and intolerance dept?!?!? Have you read a food label lately???? Do you know how hard it is to find a label that is peanut, egg and dairy free??? It's next to impossible! But I have one saving grace.... she is now old enough to use Lactaid. So, I'm off to buy some to add to our med bag we carry for N and all her Benadryl / Epi Pen Jr's.

Leann, You wouldn't want to move closer so you could supply me with some of your goat milk? Have you seen how much a 1/2 gallon of Lactose free milk cost!?!?!?!? Holy Cow...I mean Goat!

PEANUTS!

Yesterday we took the girls in for their 5 year check up. I can't believe they are 5!!! When did that happen? So, It takes several hours for all three to get their check up so R & J went before lunch then N had her appointment after lunch. I take her in the room. She is drawing a picture of her family when Dr. L walks in and begins his exam. He tells N that she smells so good and nuzzles her neck. She is all smiles and just love Dr. L. We are chatting while he checks her ears, eyes and throat. When he steps away I asked him what he had put in her mouth. He told me just the tongue depressor. I said well what is causing the allergic reaction? He looks and was like I have no idea. N had hives at the corner of her mouth and going down her neck. Dr. L's was like she needs some benadryl. I said I had some and got it out.

I asked him, " Did you by chance eat any peanuts for lunch today?"

He replied, "Why yes I did...you know those cheese crackers with peanut butter." "But I washed my hands and brushed my teeth!

"You know N is very allergic to peanuts! Right?"

"Yes, but I don't understand I have brushed my teeth and washed my hands several time?!?!?"

" I know but that does not always work. If you have crumbs on your shirt or miss a spot when washing you can contaminate with the allergen."

"Lord have mercy! I feel awful. I'm putting all of this in her chart. How much benadryl are you giving her? Is it liquid?"

"12.5 mgs and it's a Fast Melt Strip they work so much faster than liquid."

"I'm writing all of this in her chart..."

Needless to say Dr. L was very upset. He knew it could've been really bad (her reaction) but thankfully it was mild. The benadryl works fast and in a few minutes the hives were going away.

So, He walks out of the room and hear him telling the RN's what happened. He was so upset. Then he walks back into the room and shows me that he had been snacking on peanut butter cereal at his desk before seeing N. It never crossed his mind that the cereal was PB. So, even though he had brushed his teeth and washed his hands he had eaten PB before coming into the room. He washed his hands in the room but it did not take care of the PB that was on his face. When he nuzzled her neck he passed the allergen to her.

Did she eat a peanut...NO! Did she touch a peanut....NO! All it takes is someone eating or touching a peanut/ peanut product and her coming into contact with them or what they touch.

I hear people say all the time that they know so and so that's allergic to peanut butter. Well, it's not just peanut butter. It's ANYTHING made WITH or NEAR a peanut! It's not so simple to say well we just won't let her eat a peanut/ peanut product. We have to protect her from everyone else eating a peanut/ peanut product and all they touch.

Do we think peanuts should be banned from the earth. NO but it would help if others understood what it means to have a peanut allergy.

We read every label! If is says, May Contain Peanuts / Contains Peanuts / Processes on Machinery with Peanuts we don't buy it and she can't have it. We don't even let J or R have it...Why....Because they could eat it them touch her.

If you want to learn more about food allergies go here to FAAN.

Happy Red Dye I mean Valentines Day!!!!!!

The girls loved their balloons and cards for Valentines Day but you would never know by the look on R's face. Can you tell she is not a morning person! They then headed off to school for a Valentines party in which they brought home tons of junk!The hubby took me shopping after the girls went to school. He took me to my favorite Vera store and let me choose a new purse and matching wallet! Mega Points for Him!!!! Then when I got home from school last night he had roses on the table with a love letter!!!! I know!!! What a guy. Needless to say the girls in this house had a great Valentines!

Here is a picture of the candy that my girls brought home from school. I mean Holy Cow!!! Can I just say that 100% of this had a peanut warning on the label so I had to throw it out! N is allergic and we don't allow anything with peanuts/or a warning may contain peanuts in our house! First, I just have to ask what makes parents of 4 year olds think you want your kid to bring home a boat load of candy??? Is that what they want their kid to do??? Have they not heard of the nasty affect of RED DYE???? Not to mention the peanut allergy!!! I was nice in my treat bags were a pencil, eraser, stickers, whack a balloon and 1 small piece of non-peanut allergy candy! Some of the treat bags had 10 pieces of candy!!!!! 10 x 3=30! That was just from one kid at school!!!! Ok, I'll let the whole candy thing go for now. I'm bracing my self for the Easter party. :)

I got creative for the Grandmas and Aunt. I made these flower arrangements and thought they turned out quite nice. They loved them of course it may have just been the fact that the kids came to their schools to deliver them in person. ;)

I hope you all had a really special Valentines Day and don't forget about the one who loves you the most!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16