Kelly sent me this email and said I could share. It's about the basic thing we all have in common. Makes me feel like I'm not crazy to feel the way I do. That I'm not alone in my fears and anxiety.
"My name is Kelly and my little boy is Zachary he is 4yrs old going to be 5 soon. I still worry every day about him going to school. They have a peanut free campus, but the other day I saw a can of peanut butter there. I know how stressful it is wondering if there will ever be a true safe zone for my son or will I receive a dreaded phone call from the school.
I carry my cell phone everywhere I go. Zachary's doctor told me that there was no way possible to be 100% safe any where in the world today. That he would come in contact with peanuts and tree nuts, that's why we need to learn how to take care of those incidents when they happen.
Zachary understands that some foods hurt him and doesn't want to eat them. I have taught him to ask first before eating anything, fortunately we have a wonderful teacher that calls me to ask first too. I have decided to create a list of all foods to send to school with him from now on, the teachers says it easier for them. Our school nurse has also asked us to send a box of safe snacks to school, just in case. Zachary has peanut, tree nut and asthma was rast tested at 10 months old and then again at 2yrs. Was going to do a food challenge, but was sick and had to cancel it.
That summer he was eating food that had tree nuts: Pizza Huts sauce, bunny bread and ice cream had may contain trace amount of peanuts. Same brand he had been eating and label changed, broke out in hives all over his body, was very sick. Doctor said that was a mild reaction due to small amounts of peanuts and tree nuts, could be bad if he ate a larger amount. He was sick for a month and half, I felt terrible.
Sometimes the rest of the family forgets, so I tote around food and medications all the time to make sure nothing happens, but if it does mom to the rescue. I look at it as to educate my family about the allergies and asthma or any body else that wants to listen. So far only a couple trips to the doctor due to allergy or asthma, thank god.
I carry my cell phone everywhere I go. Zachary's doctor told me that there was no way possible to be 100% safe any where in the world today. That he would come in contact with peanuts and tree nuts, that's why we need to learn how to take care of those incidents when they happen.
Zachary understands that some foods hurt him and doesn't want to eat them. I have taught him to ask first before eating anything, fortunately we have a wonderful teacher that calls me to ask first too. I have decided to create a list of all foods to send to school with him from now on, the teachers says it easier for them. Our school nurse has also asked us to send a box of safe snacks to school, just in case. Zachary has peanut, tree nut and asthma was rast tested at 10 months old and then again at 2yrs. Was going to do a food challenge, but was sick and had to cancel it.
That summer he was eating food that had tree nuts: Pizza Huts sauce, bunny bread and ice cream had may contain trace amount of peanuts. Same brand he had been eating and label changed, broke out in hives all over his body, was very sick. Doctor said that was a mild reaction due to small amounts of peanuts and tree nuts, could be bad if he ate a larger amount. He was sick for a month and half, I felt terrible.
Sometimes the rest of the family forgets, so I tote around food and medications all the time to make sure nothing happens, but if it does mom to the rescue. I look at it as to educate my family about the allergies and asthma or any body else that wants to listen. So far only a couple trips to the doctor due to allergy or asthma, thank god.
Kelly"
Thanks to Kelly for sharing, and thanks to you all for listening. This is one reason to be on here. It's to be here for you like you are here for me.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to everything you are talking about! Except I have myself to worry about. I am 27 and have had a serious allergy to pinenuts all my life. I also have asthma. Two years ago, I became hyper sensitive, due to too many pinenut reactions and am now allergic to all nuts. I know what its like not to be allergic to the common nuts, then suddenly have to worry. I could only imagine how hard it must be to have a child to worry about. I want you to know that as an adult, it does get easier. It takes alot of disapline and self control. I carry Twinjects with me everywhere I go, as now the epi is not enough. I also keep on hand benedryl, as I often find that in a cross contamination situation, the benedryl is all I need. A few tips I live by include: always leaving the house with an extra snack. Sometimes I even eat dinner before going to a function, just to be sure I am not left hungry. Always carry extra benedryl in the car, my purse and at home. Benedryl is definitely something you dont want to be with out. I also keep an extra Twinjects at home, just incase I miss place the other. I also find that keeping homemade baked goods around the house, helps me feel "normal". I do find it hard not to just buy a cookie or a muffin. Baking gives me the reassurence that I will be ok eating these treats, knowing exactly what is in them.
As life changing as my nut allergy has been, its also been easy to get used to. As information about nut allergies continue to spread, it is becoming easier to find "nut free" options while out and about.
As far as eating out, I find the larger chain restaurants to be really good about my allergy. In canada, restaurants like Cactus Club, Earls, Milestones all have strict protocol when it comes to allergy orders. I find it important to state the severity, so they do understand this is not a preferance, it is a serious allergy. I have found that I have to stay away from chinese restaurants but most Japanese restaurants are great because they usually do not carry any nuts in there recipes!
I recenetly started a blog where I review organic/natural/eco-friendly products. Because of my nut allergy, all of my video reviews feature nut free products. Great options like Sunbutter (sunflower seed alternative to peanut butter). My blog is http://organic-please.tumblr.com/ . If you have any questions about how i cope, please do not hesitate to ask. I feel that as nut allergy people, we are one big family, all here to support eachother. NO Nuts For My Peanut, I love your blog and will definitely be passing this on to other nut allergy people I know. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
All the best,
Vanessa Hill
Organic-Please
@organicplease
Thanks Vanessa! I'm actually a new follower of tours on twitter! I can't wait to have a minute to check out your blog!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWith peanut and tree nut allergies research and reading labels is the best way to find out whats safe and not safe. I checked Pizza Huts site and their sauce is peanut and tree nut free, YA! I hoping for more peanut free items, however some things never change.