Hello friends!
It's that magical time of year when the children return to school. Social media is clouded with photos of new outfits and back packs. Buses are clogging up the roads, sport's fields are swarming with kids of all ages. It's BACK TO SCHOOL!
Personally, I'm NOT the mom who counts down to the end of summer. I'm the one holding in tears, counting down to the end of the school year, or day! However, I've been very lucky, spoiled some may say. Of Killian's 6 years here, I've worked a total of 2 years combined. His pre-k was 3 days a week for 2 hours, and kindergarten was 5 days a week for 2.5 hours. I consider that lucky! Now I must send him away like the rest of the big kids...booooo!
Killian is off to the First grade! He is also off to the cafeteria for the first time. Because he's going full day, he will also be taking the school bus for the first time, and out for recess for the first time. This year is a year of FIRSTS. As much as I'm excited for him, I'm nervous.
Confidant but nervous.
There will be an aide with him on the bus...just in case! He will have an aide nearby in the cafeteria with an assigned safe seat, as well as NOT being allowed near the garbage...just in case! He will have that same aide nearby, on the playground...just in case! Lunch will be brought from home each day. There shouldn't be any reason to worry but I do. Especially the playground part; this is where he'll be playing with other kids from other classrooms who may not HAVE to wash their hands or deal with allergies. What if?? A thousand "what if" scenarios plague my mind. It's 1:40am the night before the first day of school and I'm up wondering...what if?
May 2012 was the last time Killian suffered from anaphylactic shock. Tony administered the epi and we raced to the hospital. He was given steroids, antihistamines, and more epinephrine. We waited 4 hours before he was discharged. The usual - follow up with allergist, continue steroids and antihistamines for 3 days. All has been well since. We've been educated even more on foods/labels since. So, thankfully, no incidents for over 2 years now.
Being no stranger to anaphylaxis, I know the next reaction can be very different. Much worse. I know sometimes epinephrine isn't enough. Sometimes time isn't enough. And so, once again, I'm panicking on the inside to let my boy outside. What if??? The fear of my son never coming home from school has returned and I hate it. My mind tries to take me to a dark place but I won't allow it. It's too hard to imagine and so I quickly change gears. Killian is in great hands and he's not afraid to speak up, I'm so thankful for this. Hoping his new classmates will be just as cooperative and understanding as the staff.
Here's to another successful school year! Don't forget to tell your children you love them before they leave!
Please check out our walk page, the walk is this Saturday!
Www.foodallergywalk.org/Albany2014
Team "Bovine Intervention"
Thank you!
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Challenges!
It's been a very long time since my last post, I'm well aware...in that time I've had a relative move out went through a healthy pregnancy, have had a little girl move in with us, and everything in between!
Not too much to report in the allergy world, for us. We've had some more pub crawls, great time as always! Planning another for this fall, and let's not forget the annual walk coming up! September 6th at The Crossings, Albany NY.
Right now we're getting ready for first grade, having meetings regarding cafeteria, snack time, and the dreaded bus.
In case you've been living off the grid for the past couple months I'll fill you in on the biggest fad sweeping the nation - the ALS ice bucket challenge. People everywhere are dumping ice cold water over their heads and donating money in the name of awareness. I must admit, I didn't get the ice water part at first. I thought these people were skipping out on donating but I've since learned more (and they're supposed to donate even if they get iced). And I'll say it - it's genius. Someone came up with the perfect idea to bring awareness to something near and dear to them. (I opted out of the getting iced when I was nominated but I did donate.)
It made me think - how can we bring more awareness and funds to Food Allergies!?!? I'm envious, I would love to do 1% of what the ALS challenge has brought in. At last check, I read $41 million has been raised since the ice bucket challenge started. Our pub crawls are certainly adding to our cause, just on a much smaller proportion. So I feel inspired to try something like the ALS challenge. I don't expect it to catch on and go viral but I'm hoping it helps!
The top 8 food allergens in the USA are: Peanuts, Tree nuts, Dairy, Wheat, Shellfish, Soy, Fish, and Egg.
My challenge is for you to choose ONE of these foods and avoid it for 48 hours. Check labels, ask at restaurants, substitute where needed - the "whole shabang". And in addition to that, I ask that you donate ANY $ amount you'd like to FARE. I'll post our page but it really doesn't matter - it all goes to the same place. http://www.foodallergywalk.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1101993&lis=1&kntae1101993=E9907F5F03864B328F1DC9785D8DC1B4&team=5898941#sthash.ZtZF5DDM
So please consider this, take it to heart, and nominate others to do the same. I have a few friends that live this lifestyle daily, just like us. Obviously you'll never experience the symptoms of a life threatening allergy (unless you have one of course) but just the stress of eating to live, checking everything there is! And fish or shellfish may SEEM like an easy option...but you'd be surprised!
Thank you for reading and I hope you say "Challenge ACCEPTED!"
Happy and healthy eating!
Amber
Not too much to report in the allergy world, for us. We've had some more pub crawls, great time as always! Planning another for this fall, and let's not forget the annual walk coming up! September 6th at The Crossings, Albany NY.
Right now we're getting ready for first grade, having meetings regarding cafeteria, snack time, and the dreaded bus.
In case you've been living off the grid for the past couple months I'll fill you in on the biggest fad sweeping the nation - the ALS ice bucket challenge. People everywhere are dumping ice cold water over their heads and donating money in the name of awareness. I must admit, I didn't get the ice water part at first. I thought these people were skipping out on donating but I've since learned more (and they're supposed to donate even if they get iced). And I'll say it - it's genius. Someone came up with the perfect idea to bring awareness to something near and dear to them. (I opted out of the getting iced when I was nominated but I did donate.)
It made me think - how can we bring more awareness and funds to Food Allergies!?!? I'm envious, I would love to do 1% of what the ALS challenge has brought in. At last check, I read $41 million has been raised since the ice bucket challenge started. Our pub crawls are certainly adding to our cause, just on a much smaller proportion. So I feel inspired to try something like the ALS challenge. I don't expect it to catch on and go viral but I'm hoping it helps!
The top 8 food allergens in the USA are: Peanuts, Tree nuts, Dairy, Wheat, Shellfish, Soy, Fish, and Egg.
My challenge is for you to choose ONE of these foods and avoid it for 48 hours. Check labels, ask at restaurants, substitute where needed - the "whole shabang". And in addition to that, I ask that you donate ANY $ amount you'd like to FARE. I'll post our page but it really doesn't matter - it all goes to the same place. http://www.foodallergywalk.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1101993&lis=1&kntae1101993=E9907F5F03864B328F1DC9785D8DC1B4&team=5898941#sthash.ZtZF5DDM
So please consider this, take it to heart, and nominate others to do the same. I have a few friends that live this lifestyle daily, just like us. Obviously you'll never experience the symptoms of a life threatening allergy (unless you have one of course) but just the stress of eating to live, checking everything there is! And fish or shellfish may SEEM like an easy option...but you'd be surprised!
Thank you for reading and I hope you say "Challenge ACCEPTED!"
Happy and healthy eating!
Amber
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