We had our follow-up visit with the allergist today. A few weeks ago, I decided to take Claire in for testing after she had her contact reaction to hummus (everywhere after I wiped it off her face -- and there was a lot of it since we gave her the container to lick -- left red marks!) and then some random reactions to who-knows-what.
I chose Dr. Schmitt because he's board certified for pediatric allergies, which I thought was a nice distinction. After meeting him, I think he's a good choice as he seems to spend ample time with his patients and answers all of my questions and then some. Our first consult gave me a lot of information to consider, and I decided to have her blood drawn rather than trying to figure out how to restrain a toddler for 20 minutes while they pricked her skin.
I'm not sure who was more traumatized by the blood being drawn, Claire or me. Many of you have probably had blood drawn as an adult ... well, it's the exact same thing for a toddler. Same needle in the arm; same vials to be filled. Again, I have to brag about what an amazing person Claire is. Even though she had tears running down her face and kept repeating "boo-boo, boo-boo", she sat in my lap and didn't move her arm. Afterwards, after we left the lab, there were definitely post-trauma tears (and a little shaking by Mommy), but overall we survived.
A couple of days later, I got a message from the dr's office to say that the results are back and until we had time to do our consult, we should stay away from peanuts, eggs, and all melons. You think it sounds easy, but I almost immediately gave her watermelon (which she had no reaction and loves) and James gave her ranch dressing which has mayonnaise (which is made of egg whites) to which she did have a reaction.
Today we did our consult to hear the exact results. Essentially, Claire has been set up by her two parents to be a perfect candidate for asthma, eczema, and allergies. Sorry, babe. Her strongest reactions are to peanut, eggs, and canteloupe, but there was a host of other things that she had some level of reaction to in the labs (I'm serious, the list was astonishing).
We can continue to give her eggs if they're baked/fried because the high-temp cooking seems to change the composition of the egg proteins (which is what you're allergic to), but we're definitely going to be more careful. We'll be staying away from all nuts, which is fine, but can use our discretion on things that "may contain trace nuts" or are "processed on machinery that also processes nuts" because the allergist said that there is no real governance on those labels. To be safe, we'll stay away from canteloupe and honeydew (which, not sure if you've noticed, but "fresh fruit" anywhere you go is usually canteloupe, honeydew, watermelon, and pineapple), but I don't think we'll be giving up watermelon which the allergist said is fine as long as she hasn't had a reaction and loves it.
Some good news, the test for shrimp was negative as were the tests for environmental factors (mold, pollen, dust, animals, etc). The allergist also gave us some recommendations on the medications that her pediatrician has prescribed -- and concurred with his assessments, which I really liked on the part of both doctors! -- and will work with us moving forward on a treatment plan long-term.
Whew! It's a lot to consider, but I'm definitely in the camp that is glad to know. So remember, dear reader, no peanuts (or nuts), straight eggs, or canteloupes/honeydew for our little one. I do NOT intend to use that Epi-Pen anytime soon ... or EVER!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
John Bunn is Back
With cold and flu season running from October through April and all the craziness with this whole H1N1 swine flu, I knew it was just a matter of time before John Bunn (our "beloved" nebulizer) made his reappearance. Then, after Claire got her third fever in the month of September (every other weekend) along with the rattling in the chest, I knew that time was now.
The first time we took out the nebulizer this week, Claire freaked out ... screaming, crying, and scrambling to get away. It was awful, much like the first time all over again. The second time was better, and by the third, she was a champ. I'm so impressed by my little girl and how brave she is. She can effectively tell us, "Claire. Nose. Scared.", yet she will sit there and take deep breaths to inhale the smoke until we're "All Done! Yay!".
The last two September fever incidents, Claire got sick on Friday night or Saturday morning and was easily recovered by Monday. This time, it hit Monday morning, so James and I have been taking turns staying home from work to stay with her. The doctor found on Monday that she has strep, so she's on antibiotics, but no flu. However, the fever lingers, and I even had to pick her up from school today because she was fine all day until about 4:30pm when she got another fever after recesse.
Guess I'll be home again tomorrow! I think it would be more enjoyable if I weren't worried about her and trying to keep her semi-quarentined, but I love being home with Claire and believe she likes it, too, even if she does probably get bored of me by the end of the day. :)
The first time we took out the nebulizer this week, Claire freaked out ... screaming, crying, and scrambling to get away. It was awful, much like the first time all over again. The second time was better, and by the third, she was a champ. I'm so impressed by my little girl and how brave she is. She can effectively tell us, "Claire. Nose. Scared.", yet she will sit there and take deep breaths to inhale the smoke until we're "All Done! Yay!".
The last two September fever incidents, Claire got sick on Friday night or Saturday morning and was easily recovered by Monday. This time, it hit Monday morning, so James and I have been taking turns staying home from work to stay with her. The doctor found on Monday that she has strep, so she's on antibiotics, but no flu. However, the fever lingers, and I even had to pick her up from school today because she was fine all day until about 4:30pm when she got another fever after recesse.
Guess I'll be home again tomorrow! I think it would be more enjoyable if I weren't worried about her and trying to keep her semi-quarentined, but I love being home with Claire and believe she likes it, too, even if she does probably get bored of me by the end of the day. :)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Katie Kirkpatrick
Got this email from Jenny today, and it affected me enough that I feel I need to share.
Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick, 21 yrs old. Next to her is her fiancé, Nick, 23. This picture was taken prior to their wedding January 11th, 2005. Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy. Here Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions...
Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine, Katie took care of every single part of the wedding planning. Her dress had to be adjusted several times due to Katie's constant weight loss.
An expected guest was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception. The other couple in this picture is Nick's parents, very emotional with the wedding and of course to see their son marrying the girl he fell in love when he was an adolescent.
Katie, in a wheel chair listening to her husband and friends singing to her.
In the middle of the party, Katie had to rest for a bit and catch her breath. The pain does not allow her to stand for long period of time.
Katie died 5 days after her wedding. To see a fragile woman dress as bride with a beautiful smile makes you think... happiness is always there within reach, no matter how long it lasts.....let's enjoy life and don't live a complicated life. Life is too short.
I also found some more information on Katie and her story on Snopes if you'd like to read more.
For other emotional still photos, you can check out the Best of Photojournalism website's Previous Winners, and -- as Jenny's forward ended --
Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick, 21 yrs old. Next to her is her fiancé, Nick, 23. This picture was taken prior to their wedding January 11th, 2005. Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy. Here Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions...
Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine, Katie took care of every single part of the wedding planning. Her dress had to be adjusted several times due to Katie's constant weight loss. 
An expected guest was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception. The other couple in this picture is Nick's parents, very emotional with the wedding and of course to see their son marrying the girl he fell in love when he was an adolescent. 
Katie, in a wheel chair listening to her husband and friends singing to her.
In the middle of the party, Katie had to rest for a bit and catch her breath. The pain does not allow her to stand for long period of time. 
Katie died 5 days after her wedding. To see a fragile woman dress as bride with a beautiful smile makes you think... happiness is always there within reach, no matter how long it lasts.....let's enjoy life and don't live a complicated life. Life is too short.I also found some more information on Katie and her story on Snopes if you'd like to read more.
For other emotional still photos, you can check out the Best of Photojournalism website's Previous Winners, and -- as Jenny's forward ended --
Work as if it was your first day.
Forgive as soon as possible.
Love without boundaries.
Laugh without control
and never stop smiling.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
First Family 5K -- Oktoberfest 2009
In years past, James and I have participated in the Addison Oktoberfest 5K that benefits Wipe Out Kids' Cancer. Not only does it serve a good cause, you run 5K to be greeted by free beer at the end! http://www.oktoberfest5k.com/ It's always been a lot of fun and something I have looked forward to each year. This year, James and I had each set a goal back in the spring to get in enough shape to run the race again. Note: this was pre-pregnancy! But we thought it would still be fun, and Claire would be happy sitting in her stroller for a mere 3.1 miles, right? Ummm ...
The first mile was great. She sat in her stroller watching other people fly by us first in one direction and then the other as folks hit the turnaround (we had started towards the back since we had a stroller and didn't want to get in anyone's way). She looked out for babies and doggies and overall relaxed in her seat.
Second mile was when she wanted to be carried. We alternated between the two of us to carry her in our arms, on our shoulders, or even on my back. We started slowing and more people started passing.
Mile three: Claire wants to walk. By the time we started the 3rd mile, we were officially last of the pack of the entire race. Claire needed to stop to check out flowers, trees, rocks, and the bumps in the road. At least I got in a good cool down!
I can 100% guarantee you that my first 5K during this pregnancy is also my last -- I mean, seriously, what was I thinking?! -- but I'm glad I did it.
The first mile was great. She sat in her stroller watching other people fly by us first in one direction and then the other as folks hit the turnaround (we had started towards the back since we had a stroller and didn't want to get in anyone's way). She looked out for babies and doggies and overall relaxed in her seat.
Second mile was when she wanted to be carried. We alternated between the two of us to carry her in our arms, on our shoulders, or even on my back. We started slowing and more people started passing.
Mile three: Claire wants to walk. By the time we started the 3rd mile, we were officially last of the pack of the entire race. Claire needed to stop to check out flowers, trees, rocks, and the bumps in the road. At least I got in a good cool down!
I can 100% guarantee you that my first 5K during this pregnancy is also my last -- I mean, seriously, what was I thinking?! -- but I'm glad I did it.
Our final time was somewhere over an hour
(not exactly sure how long since we didn't start when the clock was 0)
Post-race snacks and smiles
(not exactly sure how long since we didn't start when the clock was 0)
Post-race snacks and smilesTuesday, September 15, 2009
Baby Pee -- 24-Week Appointment
The whole thing about "2nd pregancy syndrome" is so true. With the first pregnancy, I could tell you how many weeks (and days) I was pregnant and probably how much longer to go; now I have to stop and think "well, my LAST appointment was Week 20-ish ... and I go to the doctor in another week or so, so I must be around ...". But I feel good, so no complaints here.
Had my 24(ish)-Week appointment today. Gained a little under 4 pounds the last 4 weeks for a total of 5.4 pounds for this pregnancy. JJ (our nickname for "James Jr." until we choose an actual name) is really active and even gave a little kick to the mic today while we were listening to his heartbeat. Dr. J says everything looks great, and she seems to agree with me that this pregancy is going so quickly! There's something about Labor Day triggering this snowball effect for the rest of the year where it's just chock-full of holidays, activities, etc. I also need to sneak in the glucose screening test before my next appointment.
My stomach is definitely well into protrusion at this point, so I thought I'd share this graphic that Syndee sent me when I was first pregnant. Some images really stick with you because of the impact they make, and this is definitely one. I mentioned it as recently as last month when I was talking to Daphne; hopefully this doesn't scare her off too much. I think about this image all the time when people rub my tummy and I wonder if they know that they're rubbing my small intestine. Hehe.
Organs During Pregnancy
Had my 24(ish)-Week appointment today. Gained a little under 4 pounds the last 4 weeks for a total of 5.4 pounds for this pregnancy. JJ (our nickname for "James Jr." until we choose an actual name) is really active and even gave a little kick to the mic today while we were listening to his heartbeat. Dr. J says everything looks great, and she seems to agree with me that this pregancy is going so quickly! There's something about Labor Day triggering this snowball effect for the rest of the year where it's just chock-full of holidays, activities, etc. I also need to sneak in the glucose screening test before my next appointment.
My stomach is definitely well into protrusion at this point, so I thought I'd share this graphic that Syndee sent me when I was first pregnant. Some images really stick with you because of the impact they make, and this is definitely one. I mentioned it as recently as last month when I was talking to Daphne; hopefully this doesn't scare her off too much. I think about this image all the time when people rub my tummy and I wonder if they know that they're rubbing my small intestine. Hehe.
Organs During PregnancySunday, September 13, 2009
Long Winter Ahead?
Seeing as how we're only three weeks into the new school year and Claire's already on her second cold (complete with low-grade fever and runny nose), I have a feeling it's going to be a LOOOONG winter ahead. Pair that with this whole H1N1 flu thing, I'm definitely not looking forward to it. I guess the good news is that at this rate, Claire will go through the 200+ variations of the rhinovirus at an early age and hopefully be a pretty healthy adult!
From Wikipedia: "An estimated 22 to 189 million school days are missed annually due to a cold. As a result, parents missed 126 million workdays to stay home to care for their children. When added to the 150 million workdays missed by employees suffering from a cold, the total economic impact of cold-related work loss exceeds $20 billion per year."
Studies are in progress on the H1N1 vaccine right now which I have a feeling I'll be getting this year (to be confirmed by my OB this week). Pregnant women are especially high-risk to this strain evidenced by the fact that 6% of the people who have died from H1N1 so far have been pregnant even though pregnant women only make up for 1% of the population. I guess our hormones are already so out of whack, something like the flu is just the straw to that camel's back. Young children are also at the top of the list, but interestingly, there is a segment of the population (40-70? something like that) that doesn't really need to get it because I guess a similar strain passed through during their childhood years that may have built up enough antibodies. My joke was maybe that's the government's way of taking care of the baby boom and social security shortage problem. :) Great, more for the rest of us!
So I'm off to wash my hands yet again as I wait to hear from the government whether it'll be 1 or 2 doses of 15 to 30 ccs, though what I really need to do is stop wiping Claire's snot with my bare hand. Seriously, the things you do as a parent!
From Wikipedia: "An estimated 22 to 189 million school days are missed annually due to a cold. As a result, parents missed 126 million workdays to stay home to care for their children. When added to the 150 million workdays missed by employees suffering from a cold, the total economic impact of cold-related work loss exceeds $20 billion per year."
Studies are in progress on the H1N1 vaccine right now which I have a feeling I'll be getting this year (to be confirmed by my OB this week). Pregnant women are especially high-risk to this strain evidenced by the fact that 6% of the people who have died from H1N1 so far have been pregnant even though pregnant women only make up for 1% of the population. I guess our hormones are already so out of whack, something like the flu is just the straw to that camel's back. Young children are also at the top of the list, but interestingly, there is a segment of the population (40-70? something like that) that doesn't really need to get it because I guess a similar strain passed through during their childhood years that may have built up enough antibodies. My joke was maybe that's the government's way of taking care of the baby boom and social security shortage problem. :) Great, more for the rest of us!
So I'm off to wash my hands yet again as I wait to hear from the government whether it'll be 1 or 2 doses of 15 to 30 ccs, though what I really need to do is stop wiping Claire's snot with my bare hand. Seriously, the things you do as a parent!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Miss Smartypants
It's so incredible how much Claire is learning right now. I feel like everyday brings on a new word or concept that I didn't realize she knew before. I know I've said this before with just about every stage, but I love this age!
Push-ups. Claire's been doing sit-ups and push-ups with James. Last week, after going out for dinner, we were walking by an outside table and chairs. Claire tried to climb up on the chair and couldn't pull herself up, so she immediately dropped to the ground to do some push-ups (to get stronger?) with no prompting, then tried to pull herself up on the chair again. Cuteness.
Dot. At the same restaurant, there was a mat on the ground with lots of round circles. Claire was going to each dot and hitting it with both her hands and saying "dot!" which I had no idea she knew. The people in the restaurant were quite amused.
Family. Her school is teaching about families right now, and Claire's picked up the concept of the small thing is the baby, the bigger is the mommy, and the third is the daddy. As she reads her books now, she'll point out "baby", "mama", and "dada" animals. She's also starting to relate people to each other. For instance, she knows that Ye-Ye and Nai-Nai go together, as do Po-Po and Gong-Gong ("ngog-ngog" still) and A-Yi (Crystal) and Kirby.
Baby Brother. You can ask her where the baby or her baby brother is, and she immediately turns to pull up my shirt to reveal my tummy. For fun the other day, I had her in my lap and told her that her baby brother kicked her, and she tried to kick him back. Sibling squabbles already? :)
Push-ups. Claire's been doing sit-ups and push-ups with James. Last week, after going out for dinner, we were walking by an outside table and chairs. Claire tried to climb up on the chair and couldn't pull herself up, so she immediately dropped to the ground to do some push-ups (to get stronger?) with no prompting, then tried to pull herself up on the chair again. Cuteness.
Dot. At the same restaurant, there was a mat on the ground with lots of round circles. Claire was going to each dot and hitting it with both her hands and saying "dot!" which I had no idea she knew. The people in the restaurant were quite amused.
Family. Her school is teaching about families right now, and Claire's picked up the concept of the small thing is the baby, the bigger is the mommy, and the third is the daddy. As she reads her books now, she'll point out "baby", "mama", and "dada" animals. She's also starting to relate people to each other. For instance, she knows that Ye-Ye and Nai-Nai go together, as do Po-Po and Gong-Gong ("ngog-ngog" still) and A-Yi (Crystal) and Kirby.
Baby Brother. You can ask her where the baby or her baby brother is, and she immediately turns to pull up my shirt to reveal my tummy. For fun the other day, I had her in my lap and told her that her baby brother kicked her, and she tried to kick him back. Sibling squabbles already? :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)