NUTS!

Harrison had his semi-annual allergy check up a couple of weeks ago. He had his first test in December 2011 and we found out what we already suspected -- he is allergic to tree nuts, peanuts, dogs, cats and pretty much every living thing: trees, grass, etc. We had to go back last summer to get a food action plan together to give to the school, along with a second set of epi-pens to be kept up there too.

 

At his first appt, he had a major reaction to peanuts, and a minor one to milk, soy, rice, eggs and wheat. Yikes! Thankfully the follow up bloodwork showed that he is only allergic to peanuts. I somehow came away with the wrong understanding that he is not that allergic to peanuts. I guess that because his allergy doesn't manifest as a breathing issue, just a skin outbreak, I took it that it's not that bad. 

So, this January we had his annual visit/blood drawl. I have been the peanut nazi this year -- we were told that the more we eliminated them from his diet the greater the chance that he would outgrow the allergy. So, if it had treenuts/peanut, may have them, may contain traces of them, he stayed away. It meant that he had to have the nice, expensive granola bars and more organic foods, because generic food brands usually have traces of peanuts. Ugg. And, even with all of that work, there is only a 20% chance that he will outgrow it. But, I wanted to know that I had done the best we could do to give  him this chance.

At his appointment this year, I had more questions. First, I found out that his blood allergy level was a .995 last December. To be considered allergic, you must have above a .005, so yeah, he's just a tad allergic! Yikes! He is super careful too -- he always asks when he gets food if it has peanuts in it, even askes me. :)

When his blood work came back, we actually got some very good news. He still has an allergy, but it had dropped to .445. The nurse said that was amazing and good work! Being the peanut police paid off! Ha! We are on our way to hopefully outgrowing it. And, for the record, we do still have peanut products in our home -- Madeleine takes a PB&J most days for lunch I'm just very careful about cross contamination.

After doing an amazing job having his blood taken (and they took lots!) he got to get a milkshake to help him feel better. He's been such a trooper through all of this and never complains that he can't have certain foods. I am so proud of him!