Is it just me?

Is it just me or are there more and more articles coming out about food allergies? I feel like every few hours I see a new article about food allergies. Articles about the science of food allergies, articles about living with food allergies, articles about how kids with food allergies should be accommodated or not accommodated, and so on and so on.
Trust me, I think it's great. It opens up that discussion that needs to occur about the growing epidemic of food allergies.

Walking for a cure

Many years ago my little one was diagnosed with really bad environmental allergies. I got on the computer and started doing research about allergies. This led me to read about food allergies. I found the organization, FAAN(now FARE). I volunteered at their annual walk. I thought that if a cure for food allergies was found that maybe a cure for environmental allergies would be found. The next year we found out that she was anaphylactic to tree nuts. Five years later I am still involved with the walk, as head chair. It is daunting and overwhelming at times but so very, very rewarding. If you have a walk in your area, get involved. You can volunteer for the day or join a committee. You can join someone else's team or form your own. It is a fun day for the kids and an opportunity to raise needed funds to find a cure.

Check it all out at foodallergywalk.org

I made the cake.......and ate some frosting

I made a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting today. I poured whatever leftover sprinkles we had on, cut it up, and froze the pieces. My little one is allowed to have dessert once a week at school. Usually she has the prepackaged ice cream. She finally caught on that there is cake there also but, it's not safe. So, I solved the problem by giving myself something else to do. It's ok though, it will make her safe and included. Now, I know what's going to happen. She's going to take her cake to school tomorrow. Her sister that is nonallergic is going to want to take cake to school too. Do I tell her no? It's really for her sister, but how do I tell her that she can't have cake? That doesn't seem too fair.
I think I will be making lots of cake..........

When eczema attacks....

Yuck! Eczema stinks. She hasn't had a flare up like this in a really long time. Her allergy shots have worked wonders and they magically made it disappear, until this week. It's behind her knees, the inside of her elbows and, for the first time, under her bottom eye lashes. I have been putting a variety of creams on her for days and it's finally starting to help. The poor kid is slippery from all the lotion that I have put on her. I know that pollen and ragweed have been bad so maybe that's what is doing it. She was scratching her knees so bad that she opened the dry patch up and it started to bleed. I feel awful for her......
Any advice?

add cake to the list

I make special food all of the time for my child. It's just the nature of the diagnosis. Luckily school lunch is tree nut free. They also have prepackaged ice cream that is safe, yay! They also have baked goods, cake, that is not safe. It has never bothered her until now. She said that she wished the cake was safe so that she can get a piece on Friday's. That's her one day that she's allowed to get dessert. She looked at me with those eyes....I folded like a cheap suit. So, now I will make cake. I will decorate it and I will cut it up into pieces and freeze them. She did the happy dance when I told her. It's not a lot of work and I would do anything for her. It's just another reminder of the diagnosis.

9/11

12 years ago I sat and held my 2 month old as I watched the news unfold. It was awful. I was sitting with her in front of the tv as the 2nd plane hit, then the Pentagon, then PA. I lived a few minutes outside Philly at the time. I thought for sure that they would target Philly too.
At the time our small apartment was filled with boxes. We were moving.
The day before, September 10th, my little one had a checkup.
Then September 11th happened.
On September 14th the movers came for our things. We spent that night at a friend's house and the next day we moved to NC.
That was a long drive. Not only because of the distance but because of the amount of trucks on the highways. Deliveries etc. were set off schedule because of September 11th. The roads were mobbed. I remember every moment of every day that week.
I am thankful that my oldest was so little at the time. She won't have those horrible memories. She won't have those horrible images burned in her mind forever. She didn't have sleepless nights, filled with worry that it would happen again, that it wasn't over.
Never Forget

I'm going back.....

Over 20 years ago I became a teacher. I taught for a long time and then decided to stay home with my kids. The next year my youngest was diagnosed with life threatening food allergies. I guess my giving up teaching happened for a reason. She's 8 now....and I miss teaching. So, I started up a class for little ones. It starts today. I will be out of the house for a few hours. My husband is on phone watch as I will not be able to leave the class.
I am anxious about today. I'm not anxious as to if it will go well or not. I have done everything that I can to prepare for today. I'm worried about my kids. Will this be the time that the school calls because something has happened? Ugh...
I wrote the teacher that I am back to work for a few hours and that if she needs anything she is to call my husband. I should be back well before the bus but I have arranged for a friend to get my little one if I am late. I know that I have covered all of my bases.
It's still stressful.........
http://missingmontessori.blogspot.com/2013/09/to-new-beginnings.html

Did you watch yet?

Did you watch the documentary on food allergies yet? The link to it is in my previous post. I watched last night and I thought it was great. I really thought it was great for those that are not immersed in food allergies, a kind of eye opening, food allergy 101. It was informative, factual, hopeful, serious, and sad, all at the same time. Please find an hour to watch, and then share it.

On the raising awareness front, here is another great article about food allergies.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/08/opinion/sunday/epipens-for-all.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&_r=1&

Food allergy awareness, this Saturday

Set your dvr or get up early on Saturday! The Discovery Channel is airing a documentary about food allergies. Steve Carell is the host. I can't wait. Obviously food allergy families will watch but I hope that the general public will watch also. I believe this could be the beginning of the national conversation.

Here is a preview-
http://vimeo.com/73807334

apples and honey

L'shanah tovah! Happy New year!
Traditionally apples and honey are eaten. We can't because we can't have apples. Pears just aren't the same.
I'm trying to look at the bright side but it's just another reminder of what we can't have.
She's due for her allergy shot today and she needs it. She's sneezy and her eczema is flaring. I hope it brings her relief fast.

week two

We are into week two of school here. It's hard to get back into routine. I mean for me. The kids seem to be doing ok. A little tired but ok.
When do you head back? How is it going, is your school helpful?
I would love to hear how everyone is doing.
Has anyone tried to get food out of the classroom? I mean no food for rewards and no food parties. Were you successful? I am just wondering if it can be done.