So, after a long delay a brief recap of Little One's Medical Emergency.
My Mom and Dad brought some gourmet candies from New York as a special treat. We opened them on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for dessert. The candies are made be a tiny independent candy shop in the town where I grew up and are super simple, just chocolate, sugar and Brazil Nuts. Within seconds of Little One eating a bite she looked pale and shocked and was complaining that her mouth felt REALLY funny, it was tingling and burning and she didn't feel right. Her face was incredibly swollen on one side within minutes, within 15 minutes her whole face was swollen, her tongue was double it's normal size and she was broken out in a rash. Within a half hour she was complaining she could feel her throat touching and we starting seriously considering going to the ER. We were taking the situation minute by minute. Brother-In-Law (who is a general practitioner MD) had his Dr's bag out and was checking her breathing and pulse every few minutes. We spent the next 2 hours watching her intently. If my Brother-in-law had not been there we would have headed to the ER with her for sure.
We gave her Zyrtec within minutes of her swelling up (allergy meds I have on hand because I have a food allergy myself). We gave her ice water to sip which helps me when my throat starts to swell. And just watched and waited and hoped the meds would kick in soon to counter-act the allergen. My Brother-in-law said the normal course of action would be to give Benadryl but he was concerned with the sleepiness it causes, especially with her airway tightening. He wanted to keep her alert.
It was so strange, nearly an hour and half after the initial reaction just all of sudden she said "Mommy, I took a deep breath and it didn't hurt, I can swallow again." and from there it seemed to subside. Deep sigh of relief from all involved.
She broke out in huge hives on her hips and groin area later that night, and the next day her whole trunk from neck to knees was covered in tiny red pin point hives. I did give her Benadryl then since her airway wasn't a concern and I was ok letting her nap through the day without worrying about her being able to breathe.
A trip to the Pediatrician that afternoon and he confirmed what we all thought, a tree nut allergy, specifically the Brazil nut.
Sooo, last week I spent picking up prescriptions for Epi-Pens (adrenaline shots) and delivering them to school/her teacher/the afterschool program staff and filling out what felt like a bazillion forms to have her classroom labeled as "nut free". It was an emotional week. Little One was overwhelmed with all the concern and had a couple of breakdowns at school. I love the staff there, they are so good with her, and I think they handled a tough week really well. Her teacher sent her to have a chat with the guidance counselor after a particularly tough day which really seemed to help her to talk through her concerns.
We take her to an allergist in January for further testing, and we're hoping they'll be able to say it's strictly the Brazil nut that she's allergic too, and not all tree nuts. But that might not be the case. Her pediatrician says that often one tree nut will start the allergen and then you are allergic to all tree nuts, even if you've been able to eat them in the past. So that's almonds, cashews, pecans, brazil nuts... basically every nut except a peanut.
This week I finally feel like we're on the other side of all the drama. Plans are in place with school and after-school programs and Little One has I think started to come to terms with the allergy and not be so scared. For now.
Joe is recovering from his separated shoulder. He's still on pain meds and not able to use it as much but he is seeing a little bit of improvement and is starting some physical therapy exercises that will hopefully increase his mobility. He's on medical leave from work until this Friday. So a little silver lining was that we actually got to spend time together as a family this weekend when he would normally be working.
The fun never ends at our house!
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