Just a quick note to let everyone know why I am M.I.A. The PA Kid has pneumonia!!
While he is not asthmatic, I do think Tyler's allergies and eczema compromise his immune system. As a result, the winter months are a real struggle for him. It is amazing how pneumonia totally knocks a 5 year old off of his feet!
We are in excellent hands and have amazingly avoided the hospital. He is recovering and I should be back blogging regularly by week's end. I've got lots to share, just no time to write.
Thanks for your patience!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A Taste of the Forbidden
Last month I found out that my Grandma in Oklahoma was near death. As quickly as I could, I hopped on a plane and traveled home to be with my family. It was a long trip and I barley ate anything that day.
Sitting in the waiting room of the hospital that day, my family offered me some food that someone gave them. Quickly, I eyed a can of mixed nuts. I have a radar for nuts. This time, however, it dawned on me that I would not see any nut allergic people (Tyler and my husband) for 3 days.
Could nut residue last that long?
I knew it would be silly to think that what I ate that day could have any affect on people in Michigan! (I was in Oklahoma remember!)
So I laughed and took a few nuts. Some family members knew of my problem with nuts. Others had not seen me since Tyler's birth and had no clue.
As I ate those nuts I realized I had forgotten just how good they were! So I ate more. And more. And even more!
They were so good!
By the end of that day, everyone knew my story about nuts. It became a family joke: Pass the nuts to Robyn!
And, boy, did they ever!
I ate so many nut products I'm pretty sure I gained 10 pounds in 3 days!
Here is what I ate...and enjoyed every bite!
*Mixed nuts
*Pecan pie
*Nutter butter cookies (one of my former favorite cookies. Yummy!!)
*Peanut M&M's
*Chocolate covered peanuts
*Roasted peanuts
*Chocolate almonds
Here is a picture of me with several of the nut products I ate. Included in the picture are the family nuts: my dad and uncle!
OK, 'fess up. Who else has done this sort of thing!
Sitting in the waiting room of the hospital that day, my family offered me some food that someone gave them. Quickly, I eyed a can of mixed nuts. I have a radar for nuts. This time, however, it dawned on me that I would not see any nut allergic people (Tyler and my husband) for 3 days.
Could nut residue last that long?
I knew it would be silly to think that what I ate that day could have any affect on people in Michigan! (I was in Oklahoma remember!)
So I laughed and took a few nuts. Some family members knew of my problem with nuts. Others had not seen me since Tyler's birth and had no clue.
As I ate those nuts I realized I had forgotten just how good they were! So I ate more. And more. And even more!
They were so good!
By the end of that day, everyone knew my story about nuts. It became a family joke: Pass the nuts to Robyn!
And, boy, did they ever!
I ate so many nut products I'm pretty sure I gained 10 pounds in 3 days!
Here is what I ate...and enjoyed every bite!
*Mixed nuts
*Pecan pie
*Nutter butter cookies (one of my former favorite cookies. Yummy!!)
*Peanut M&M's
*Chocolate covered peanuts
*Roasted peanuts
*Chocolate almonds
Here is a picture of me with several of the nut products I ate. Included in the picture are the family nuts: my dad and uncle!
OK, 'fess up. Who else has done this sort of thing!
Monday, January 11, 2010
THe PA Kid Turns 5!!
Tyler and his dadTap...tap..tap...
Is anyone still out there?
Good, glad to know you are out there! You might have noticed I was M.I.A. here lately!
In the last month, I've had tons going on! My grandma passed away, I had a nasty cold, a headache that lasted 2 weeks (yes, it was awful!) and two people in my home had a birthday! Oh, yes, and there was a little something called "Christmas and "New Year's!"
Of everything that was going on lately, one of the positive things (or sad, if you are his Mommy!) is that Tyler, a.k.a. "The Peanut Allergy Kid" turned 5!
It is hard to believe all that the last 5 years has brought into my life. When he was born, I worried just about the fact he was my first child and I wasn't sure if I knew how to be a mom. Now, I have become a food allergy mom and it has actually been a journey I have mostly enjoyed (except something that involved peanut butter and the ER).
Last year for Tyler's birthday, I gave you a little more personal information about who he is. Really, not a lot of those things have changed. This year, I want to celebrate by sharing how much he has grown in his own food allergy awareness in the last year.
*Tyler now asks before he eats ANYTHING out of the home if it is "safe." If you are newly diagnosed, this comes in time. Remember he's 5 now and I remind him EVERY SINGLE DAY!!
*Tyler has made 2 playmates with a peanut allergy. Both moms contacted me after reading this blog. Obviously they are local. It is great to not worry about someone else "getting it" on these great play dates.
*Tyler was diagnosed with a cashew allergy in March through more skin testing. This, of course, was not a positive development. In fact, he had never even seen or heard the word "cashew" when he was diagnosed. (Can you say "nut free home??"). All it took was a quick Google search for a picture and an explanation. Enough said to him! Now he points them out in the grocery store if he sees them.
*Tyler's dad was diagnosed with nut allergies in the spring. This was certainly an "ugh!" moment for me! But, Tyler was thrilled! He was so excited when Daddy brought home his very own EpiPen. (Me?? Not so much...) Now he will tell his dad when things are safe or not. I still hate it that my husband is allergic to nuts but the bond it has created with him and Tyler has been great!
*Tyler is the only kid in his class this year with a food allergy. It's still hard for me to believe that of the 21 kids in his class, he's the only one, but he is! Last year there were several, including a little boy with a peanut allergy. He has handled himself with an incredible amount of maturity this year. After the initial shock wore off, his mom has, too!
Really, there is not a lot new to share about Tyler since I blog about most of his life regarding his peanut allergy (poor boy!) But, I still felt it important to post some milestones. I know some of you out there have much younger peanut allergy kids and feel like they will never be safe or understand their own allergy.
They will! This post is proof!
Is anyone still out there?
Good, glad to know you are out there! You might have noticed I was M.I.A. here lately!
In the last month, I've had tons going on! My grandma passed away, I had a nasty cold, a headache that lasted 2 weeks (yes, it was awful!) and two people in my home had a birthday! Oh, yes, and there was a little something called "Christmas and "New Year's!"
Of everything that was going on lately, one of the positive things (or sad, if you are his Mommy!) is that Tyler, a.k.a. "The Peanut Allergy Kid" turned 5!
It is hard to believe all that the last 5 years has brought into my life. When he was born, I worried just about the fact he was my first child and I wasn't sure if I knew how to be a mom. Now, I have become a food allergy mom and it has actually been a journey I have mostly enjoyed (except something that involved peanut butter and the ER).
Last year for Tyler's birthday, I gave you a little more personal information about who he is. Really, not a lot of those things have changed. This year, I want to celebrate by sharing how much he has grown in his own food allergy awareness in the last year.
*Tyler now asks before he eats ANYTHING out of the home if it is "safe." If you are newly diagnosed, this comes in time. Remember he's 5 now and I remind him EVERY SINGLE DAY!!
*Tyler has made 2 playmates with a peanut allergy. Both moms contacted me after reading this blog. Obviously they are local. It is great to not worry about someone else "getting it" on these great play dates.
*Tyler was diagnosed with a cashew allergy in March through more skin testing. This, of course, was not a positive development. In fact, he had never even seen or heard the word "cashew" when he was diagnosed. (Can you say "nut free home??"). All it took was a quick Google search for a picture and an explanation. Enough said to him! Now he points them out in the grocery store if he sees them.
*Tyler's dad was diagnosed with nut allergies in the spring. This was certainly an "ugh!" moment for me! But, Tyler was thrilled! He was so excited when Daddy brought home his very own EpiPen. (Me?? Not so much...) Now he will tell his dad when things are safe or not. I still hate it that my husband is allergic to nuts but the bond it has created with him and Tyler has been great!
*Tyler is the only kid in his class this year with a food allergy. It's still hard for me to believe that of the 21 kids in his class, he's the only one, but he is! Last year there were several, including a little boy with a peanut allergy. He has handled himself with an incredible amount of maturity this year. After the initial shock wore off, his mom has, too!
Really, there is not a lot new to share about Tyler since I blog about most of his life regarding his peanut allergy (poor boy!) But, I still felt it important to post some milestones. I know some of you out there have much younger peanut allergy kids and feel like they will never be safe or understand their own allergy.
They will! This post is proof!
Monday, January 4, 2010
EpiPen Gets a Facelift!
Guess who is sporting a new look for 2010? That's right! Our good friends over at EpiPen are rolling out a new version of that life saving shot we all love so much!
The new EpiPen design will include:
- Improved needle protection to prevent needle exposure before and after use
- A flip top carrying case
- Blue safety cap to prevent accidental activation
- Ergonomically designed grip for a firm grip
But I know other peanut allergy moms out there like me don't do extremely well with change when it comes to our child's medications. Consider this your "heads up" on your next EpiPen refill...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
