As I review his history each spring with Dr. T., I am reminded of how far we have come! It was a mere 4 years ago that he was allergic to corn, strawberries, tomato, peanuts, milk, egg, apple, chocolate! We didn't give up then. I lived strictly off of chicken, rice, and broccoli for a a full year as I continued to nurse him and provide the best!
Then we learned that the our little guy was allergic to cold. (Yes, cold!) Water had to be just the right temp or his poor body would break out in hives! Cold urticaria we later learned it was called, made that year feel like the longest one yet! The summer wading pool and the water table needed to be filled with warm water from the house. The sprinkler was off limits. Then in fall and winter, we had to cover as much skin as possible, as any skin exposed to the chilly air would swell and cover in hives! The poor kid was essentially living in a bubble! Yet, we embraced the regiment and kept him safe.
Only, a short time later we discovered he had become anaphylaxis to tree nuts after having a cereal bar one day that contained walnuts! His eyes and ears swelled shut, he began vomitting and wheezing, and then came the coughing and sleepiness (BP dropping). I can still recall my frantic drive to the hospital talking to him to keep him awake! I think I aged a good 10 years in a matter of less than 10 minutes! I have never ever felt so helpless in my life! We left the doctor that day with an Epipen that we now carry EVERYWHERE we go!
So, all this being said - we have had a roller coaster of a ride thus far. But today, Dr. T. and looked back and celebrated how far he has come is such a short time! Today he only remains allergic to dairy, eggs, and tree nuts! He is sensitive to white fish and apple skins still, but no tests ever truly prove this, other than us watching him react by violently purging his body anytime he ingests these two items. Apparently his tummy knows something that his bloodwork and skin tests to do not!
He is no longer allergic to cold temps! He loves chocolate like all other 4 year olds! He adores strawberries, PB&J sandwiches, and corn on the cob! What a difference a few short years make! =) He is even beginning to tolerate dairy in baked items! We will attempt a milk challenge under the careful watch of Dr. T. at the end of June. We will allow him to drink milk every 30 minutes at the hospital and see how his body reacts. It will take 4 hours (just as his peanut challenge went 2 years ago!), but we will leave knowing what we can expect when he ingests milk. (Needless to say I will be a nervous wreck that day!)
Here is a photo of his skin test today. He sobbed uncontrollably this morning while this was being done - a first for him. Up until today, he had always handled this with smiles and patience. Was tough on my heart today! Not to mention before we left we received his final MMR vaccination! (Poor kiddo was through the ringer today!)
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| #1= milk, #2=egg, #3-8 the white fish panel, #9-14=tree nut panel (cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia, pistachio) #15= saline control #16=histamine |
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