Frequently people will ask how we found out our children had severe food allergies. Knowing that you have no insight into our family, I decided a short history of our family and our children's allergies might prove helpful.
11 1/2 years ago our precious little girl was born. I studied. I read. Finally, I decided to breastfeed my new little blessing. But within days, my little girl started to develop little rashes on her face. Soon her entire body was covered. I would question the Dr. about the rashes. Eczema I was told. Questions came pouring out.......Is it food related? Is it detergent related? What causes this itchy red rash that my little girl scratches raw? Everyone said the best I could do was heavy lotions. Soon her little faced had a huge abscess. Antibiotic cream was applied religiously. People would question why I couldn't keep her from scratching. Make her wear gloves. Clip her nails better. I often felt as though I was doing something wrong.
When Hannah was six months old, we took a trip to my mom's house. My mom (who loves to make things from scratch) made homemade ice cream for the occasion. It was yummy. Even Hannah tasted it. Shortly after tasting it though, Hannah began to fuss and break out in a weird rash. We asked my Mom for some insight. Calmly, she told us to go to the hospital. Hannah was having an allergic reaction.
Hospital - right! Baby into the car seat. Ugh! Car seat taken apart due to blow out......is she breathing okay? My mom noticing that things may not be right called 911. How kind of God to have a fire station literally 1 mile from her house. We were soon on the way to the hospital. Welcome to the world of allergies........
Testing showed that my girl was severely allergic to eggs. The nurses and Dr. had to wipe the serum off of her back due to her reacting so severely to the scratch test. We were handed an Epi-Pen and told to carry it with us at all times.
Two months later I developed acute mastitis. I tried to nurse through it, but I was so sick. Finally to the Dr. I went. A fever of 103 was the breaking point:) He declared nursing to be over. Handed me a can of formula and put a shot in my behind. Within two days, Hannah's face was 100% better. Her skin was healing! No more eczema.....but the sleep deprived mama didn't make the connection.
Fifteen months later another little blessing popped into our lives. Like his sister, his skin beautful skin was short lived. Soon the same sores covered his body. His bottom bleed from the oozing sores. Diaper changes were horrible. I cried watching how miserable my little blessing was.
Remember the Epi-pen I was told to carry at all times? I asked the Dr. if I could use it on baby boy if needed. I didn't know that a week later I would use it.
Sitting at a McDonald's, I fed 8 month old baby boy a small (very small!) amount of bun. He started to fuss. Why wouldn't he drink his bottle? I realized he was covered in hives and struggling to breath. Instantly, I pulled out the Epi and used it! A family member and I had planned an outing to the zoo that day. We had stopped at McD's for lunch. I didn't realize I needed to go to the hospital. Naively, we continued on to the zoo. En route, I knew we had to go to the hospital. We changed course. He was in trouble!
"911.....What is your emergency?"
"My son can't breathe!"
"Where are you?"
"We are on 35W North"
"Maam....you need to stop. What is the mile marker number?"
" It is XXX. We are stopping. Please hurry!"
The Dr. in the ER told me straight to my face "Your son would have died if you hadn't used the Epi. Most parents don't even carry it."
That wasn't the last time we would call 911.
Blueberries, Fish food, undeclared egg in muffins, a cracker from a well meaning church worker, corn contaminated rice pasta........I could list more.
For awhile, my children wouldn't even go near an ambulance at a Fire Station Open House. They understood far to well what an ambulance meant.
Literally born with allergies, my children know nothing of the carefree eating most children enjoy. But they are a true testament to God's gracious care. He is the one who has protected them when I have made mistakes. He has provided medical technology that has saved their lives. How grateful I am for the skill He has given to Dr's to care for my children.
Parents with allergic kids live with a whole different dynamic. Our children can literally die from these allergies. It could be today. I am grateful that God holds my children's lives is His hands. Psalm 139:13 says that God has numbered our days. How I hold that verse tightly. My children's days are numbered. I must remain faithful to care for my children in a way that does not endanger their lives. Yet, I know their lives are utlimately held in the hands of a God who has chosen this road for us.
I pray that whoever reads this blog (it may not be many!), but whoever it is will be blessed by the road that God has enabled us to travel in serving our kids. This blog is a result of that road started so long ago with a scoop of ice cream.........
