No NUTS please!

Today was Kaiya's one year visit to the Allergist at Arizona Allergy. And we were hoping to hear the news, "YOU HAVE OUTGROWN YOUR ALLERGY." However, that wasn't to be the case. They did a skin test and on a scale of 0 - 4 Kaiya scored a 4 on her peanut skin test. Luckily, we had no reaction to all tree nuts! So, for us it will be a life of no peanuts!

We do have to go into the office to challenge her with tree nuts (a.k.a. walnuts, pecans, cashews, almonds, and etc). So, for now we are a NO NUT family still - - well, I guess there are THREE NUTS in our family . . . but, none that grow on trees!! We get to start introducing tree nuts to her in November with our first visit being an introduction to Walnuts or Pecans. I have to provide the nuts, I get to also provide the copay, and we sit around for one hour to make sure she has no adverse reaction. As lame as I think this is, I figure the alternative would be give her the nuts at home and if she does have an adverse reaction RUSH her to the emergency room, where I know our copay is more expensive! So, we will do the safe environment introduction of each tree nut.

The Doctor recommended a medical alert bracelet to assist in having school teachers, friends, and etc. take it more seriously! And we get to continue to carry our little epipen around with us everywhere we go! Have you ever looked for a medical alert bracelet? In my mind, I see those big clunky silver things with the red medical cross on it. However, can I say TIMES HAVE CHANGED!! Thank goodness! We have found a website that we can get a bracelet with a PINK Medical Cross and a beaded chain that is so cute! I am so grateful. I am sure it will make it much easier to get her to wear it!

I realize there are much bigger things we could be worried about - - circa February 2006 seizure scare with Kaiya. I am so grateful that she has outgrown that from what we can tell. But, I guess I was hoping to be able to send my child off to any one's home, classroom, or event and not have to always be vigilant that there were no peanuts or peanut derivative around in any of the food to be consumed! Now I will probably always second guess myself, "Did I tell them, do they know, will they remember?" But, I just have to say, I am happy that this is our biggest concern where so many other families and children have much bigger problems to worry about! I can tell this is going to be one of those things I am a little OCD about and part of me thinks, well you should be, this is dangerous to your child. Yet, I am so grateful that this is my concern and not one of a myriad of things that could be wrong.

So, if you have my little one around, and food is being served, PLEASE help us stay safe and keep PEANUTS away from her. This is the first FOOD ALLERGY in my family. So, we are really new to this. If anyone has any tips and/or advice, we would so appreciate it!!

Kaiya will be carrying a twinject epinephrine pen with her, just like the one below only GREEN. Click on the picture below to learn how to administer the the injection. Feel free if you want to check it out.

http://www.twinject.com/patients/twinject_training2.html

Also, learn more about this allergy at
www.peanutallergy.com