tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387419236432646206.post6852616962674213006..comments2023-11-02T03:51:26.955-05:00Comments on Notes from a Knew-It-All: dangerous sweetsElissa J. Hoolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651430885573630053noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387419236432646206.post-81675323971240019702011-01-30T13:29:36.557-06:002011-01-30T13:29:36.557-06:00Hey, I am checking this blog using the phone and t...Hey, I am checking this blog using the phone and this appears to be kind of odd. Thought you'd wish to know. This is a great write-up nevertheless, did not mess that up.<br /><br />- DavidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387419236432646206.post-52668497576958776412010-12-29T13:16:43.684-06:002010-12-29T13:16:43.684-06:00Kristan,
That's part of what's so frustrat...Kristan,<br />That's part of what's so frustrating about all of this: we don't actually know how serious his allergy is, except that his blood test is "severe" enough that the doctors aren't willing to let him try a little bit, even at the hospital, to see what happens. He has some pretty good early warning signals of swollen ears and hives around his mouth, but we've never been able to pinpoint exactly what triggered those reactions--it could have been something as simple as eating off a surface that had peanut proteins on it, or it could be something else entirely.<br /><br />I wish we knew how much he could tolerate, but at the same time, I obviously don't want him to experience a severe reaction so that we find out how bad it is. Instead, we just have to act like every exposure is a serious threat.<br /><br />But I mean...he once took a bite of a cookie that had peanut butter chips in it. We gave him antihistamine, and he was okay (he didn't eat the chip itself). I didn't actually make my family wash their hands or put away the nutty cookies, so he was sharing the same air and surfaces as people who were eating peanut butter, and he was okay. it's just such a gamble all the time.Elissa J. Hoolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12651430885573630053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387419236432646206.post-46121611128247331092010-12-29T05:01:28.759-06:002010-12-29T05:01:28.759-06:00My husband is allergic to peanuts but it's not...My husband is allergic to peanuts but it's not so bad. He just scratches himself if he eats a peanut, so no biggie. I'm so sorry that Jabber has such a bad case of allergy.Susanne Winnackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07931371784917865242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387419236432646206.post-44479423675023573872010-12-28T23:01:29.117-06:002010-12-28T23:01:29.117-06:00Wow, Jabber's allergy is that bad?? I know ton...Wow, Jabber's allergy is that bad?? I know tons of people with food allergies, and for them it's a simple matter of avoiding it themselves (and not sharing forks or straws -- or sucking face -- with people who partake). I have to admit, I had no idea some people needed that level of "security" from their allergens!<br /><br />Oy, I can't imagine as a parent how difficult that would be. Yes, there are tons of dangers (car accidents, violent criminals, etc.) but they are not nearly as prevalent as frickin' peanuts. :(<br /><br />Well hey, you know what, you do what you can to protect your family, and don't worry about people's "feelings" being "hurt." I think your "feelings" would suffer a lot worse if anything actually happened to Jabber.<br /><br />This might be lame, but maybe send a note/email a couple days beforehand to anyone you're inviting over with a standard, simple reminder?Kristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771013578685419826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387419236432646206.post-53572377282413590442010-12-28T18:14:13.348-06:002010-12-28T18:14:13.348-06:00Lisa, thanks for commenting! I know that many of o...Lisa, thanks for commenting! I know that many of our teachers have recently gotten a lot more aware of the extent of this issue, and maybe this will carry over into more awareness overall.<br /><br />and Shana, I honestly don't remember the peanut butter treats at the party--honestly, it's something that happens so often, I just try to be aware and cope with it as best as we can. I don't think anyone would knowingly put kids in danger, but you're right; not everyone is aware how even their own kids eating pb or whatever can impact kids with allergies. I sure didn't before Jabber was diagnosed!Elissa J. Hoolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12651430885573630053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387419236432646206.post-88393561386685932992010-12-28T18:05:54.899-06:002010-12-28T18:05:54.899-06:00I am so sorry that this is something you have to w...I am so sorry that this is something you have to worry about. I can only imagine how fearful you must feel in those situations. I honestly think that people truly don't understand the danger for Jabber in these situations. I know I didn't when we first started getting to know each other! Or, maybe they do know, but choose to not believe it. I've heard of family members of other allergic kids doing just that.<br /><br />I remember feeling horrible after a birthday party that you all came to years ago, because I had a treat with pb in it and I honestly figured that it would just be a matter of Jabber not eating it. Kind of like me just not wearing jewelry with nickel because of my allergy, but not needing everyone around me to leave their nickel ridden jewelry at home. <br /><br />A few weeks or months later when I realized how severe his allergy is and overall came to understand the danger of peanut allergies, I was horrified and mad at myself for having such a thing at the party. It wasn't until then that I realized you were probably a hot mess at that party trying to keep Jabber safe! And now all I've talked to all of our kids about Jabber's allergies, so they know that if we are with Jabber we have to be super careful about the foods we have around. <br /><br />Anyway, I hope that for future events people around you will develop a better understanding of his allergies so that you can relax and enjoy your time more.The Finn Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11409092543892423231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387419236432646206.post-15085657762615250952010-12-28T17:55:13.369-06:002010-12-28T17:55:13.369-06:00there is really no easy answer to this, is there? ...there is really no easy answer to this, is there? I have family members that do not eat pork; so considerate family members do not cook it, or label it as "contains pork". Or, when my aunt was a vegetarian, people included vegetarian dishes (or again, labeled). But my family's experiences do not involve life threatening allergies; just preferences... <br /> You have a difficult road to travel; your boys are fortunate that you plan for the journey and are looking out for them.<br /><br />Lisa H.<br /><br />Lisa H.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com