Yesterday I took my son John to Children’s Memorial Hospital for his food allergy testing. I’ve written about this clinical study in past posts. Every year our family of six participates in this groundbreaking study about food allergies and its connections among family members. It is a wonderful feeling to know that one day a year we are making a true difference as a family in furthering the education and awareness about food allergies. When I discussed with John as we were in the waiting room he had a huge smile. The thought of maybe someday finding a cure for this life threatening disease is something worth smiling about.
During the course of the testing all my kids went through the routine skin and blood testing. However, when John had his skin test, the peanut and milk “hives” on his skin were off the charts. Those two red hives were so big and so itchy that the nurse had to cleanse the area several times and apply ice packs. Just that one little prick of allergy onto John’s skin made his skin react severely. I couldn’t help but wonder…what if that amount was mulitplied and ingested? As a mother my heart sank, my stomach dropped and my hope that maybe his food allergies were decreasing were crushed.
The size of that hive was a painful reminder that until we find a cure John’s life is always at risk. One slip up, one time there is a cross contamination issue or one time I forget to bring his medicine kit with us could cost him his life. It is a sobering thought. And it is something that keeps me up at night.
Wow, that’s a scary experience but think about the good you’re doing by participating in this study.
Also, don’t stay up at night worrying if you can help it. (I’ve done it too.)
Clearly you’re a good mom and your son will be OK. It’s the children whose parents may underplay their allergies that I worry about.
I’ve recently received posts and e-mails on my blog from adults with food allergies who have survived and thrived. It’s great to know that these people are out there–it can be done!
Keep up the great work on your blog, Kelly!
thanks so much jenny! it helps tremendously to have fellow bloggers like yourself and others who truly get it.
I’m so sorry about the dairy and peanut. I know your pain too well as mine is highly allergic to both–though the dairy is worse. And it is heart-breaking each year, with the hoping, the waiting on those tests, to find out nothing has improved.
You’re doing a great job. Keep the faith!
I am so sorry. I have been there, and it can really send you down in the dumps. I hope the hives are smaller next year.
I’m so sorry — I too have been there, and know what you’re feeling.
To give you a little hope, though, my “off the charts” son did outgrow his dairy allergy when he was 11. His blood test results were so high that our doctor used to do the skin tests using a 1/100th dilution of the normal serum. I’m sure he would have had welts like your son’s if they had used the “full strength” stuff.
that gives me enormous hope linda. thanks so much for sharing that.
thanks so much leigha
I cried when my daughter was retested at 3, having strictly avoided dairy in an effort to help her outgrow it. The moment I saw the hive begin to develop, I started to cry. Totally understand the disappointment. That’s why I LOVE your blog and your recipes….many heartfelt thanks.
Linda’s son ougrowing his allergy is awesome! A flicker of hope for the rest of us. In the meantime, we remain vigilent moms!
thanks so much rebecca for your very kind and thoughtful words. i love sharing my recipes and hearing all your stories. it is a great connection that we all share together.
Thank you for participating in a study that is helping researchers unlock the mystery of food allergies. I also have an “off the chart” milk allergic son and I remain hopeful that a treatment or cure will be found for all people with food allergies. You’re doing a good thing!
Thank you for sharing this. I can relate to the lost sleep. My little guys peanut allergy increased this last year, and it is so discouraging. We have been diligent with no peanuts or tree nuts, we do not eat made on eqiupment or may contain trace at all, and still the increase. Thank you for participating in hopes of finding answers.
This post is a reminder to me to have my severely allergic 13 year old re-tested. He is allergic to dairy and eggs. I am allergic to dairy,nuts and seafood… I worry all the time. Love all of your recipes. Life threatening allergies are tough, but my 13 year old has been living with them his whole life.
thanks so much pamela!
The recipe is good! I made it last night. Thank you!