We finally have the latest allergy test results. We have good news, and bad news. Which do you want first?
Okay, okay... So this is what we've got... Good news first!
Coconut came back negative.
Scallop came back negative.
Clam came back negative.
Shrimp came back negative.
Lobster came back negative.
Peanut decreased.
Egg White decreased.
WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Because of our son's multiple severe food allergies our allergists have recommended that we do not introduce any shellfish until he is four. We have never bothered testing for it. So this is good news, great news! My mind is already racing with ideas on recipes that I'll be attempting and sharing. I can't wait!!! This kind of news makes all of our son's tears, while getting his blood drawn, worth it!
Now, the bad...
Milk increased...a lot.
Soy increased.
Pea increased.
All legumes that were tested came back positive.
Soooooo...the bad news isn't really all that bad. I'm not going to lie...the milk scares the crap out of me. He's already had two severe reactions and now the test results are showing he went from a 28 to a 44. sigh. It was high enough that our allergist changed our allergy reaction plan. So now, if we know that he ingested any milk product at all, we are to use the EpiPen immediately. He does not want us to wait for signs of reaction.
At first I thought, no big deal. I won't have to sit there wondering on whether or not the symptoms are severe enough for the EpiPen. Now, I'll just use it. Ugh. Now I'll just use it. deep breath in...deep breath out... Yup, now I'll just use it. Thinking about it gives me a kind of sick feeling inside.
I hope at some time I can overcome this feeling I get when I think of using the EpiPen again. I highly doubt nurses feel this way when giving vaccines. I know I should be incredibly grateful that there even is an EpiPen to be used to save him. I also realize how incredibly selfish it is of me to be thinking of my feelings about using the EpiPen, when my son could be in a life threatening situation. But like I said, hopefully I can overcome this feeling.
Hmmmm...I wonder...I wonder how parents would act differently if... Let's say, if your child broke their arm, the only way to fix it would be to snap it back in place yourself immediately. Knowing this information would certainly make you think twice, and fear...it would make you fear the time when you would have to actually do this. So maybe, just maybe my fear of using the EpiPen again isn't all that selfish. Maybe it's just human.
Well, writing up this post was definitely therapeutic for me today. I feel better already. Now I'm off to make my grocery list, starting with some coconut and shrimp! :)
-Elizabeth :)
