Yummy, Yummy Fly

Owen likes to read the book "Yummy, Yummy Fly." In the book, the fly eats pizza. Owen turns to me and says "I allergic to pizza. Pizza makes me sick. I don't eat pizza."

I started to cry.

Hives on Caroline's back?

Tonight I am sad. I think Caroline had hives after dinner.

Caroline has had red dots on her back before, but I just thought they were pimples. The spots are always on her back, and never anywhere else. Sometimes the spots may have been slightly raised. The dots are sporadic and there didn't seem to be a pattern, so I wasn't that worried.

But tonight, the spots looked liked hives. There was about 15 bumps. And now I am worried. I asked Doug to look at the spots, and he also felt like they looked like hives. I took some pictures.

Caroline ate sweet potatos, multigrain (wheat) cereal, and an apple wagon wheel. After dinner, I bathed her. It was in the bath that I noticed the raised red dots.

I am hoping that this is just a random event.

Hives from Play-Doh

One of today's activities at church nursery was playing with play-doh. Unfortunately, Owen broke out in hives on his face and hands. Luckily, a friend noticed the problem, and wiped Owen down. I gave him some benadryl, and he quickly recovered.

I talked to the Children's director about the incident, and her response was amazing. Since a lot of their activities include play-doh, they said they would obtain gluten-free play doh.

I am so grateful for such great support, and the extent that people go to include Owen.

No Signs of Food Allergies for Caroline

I hesitantly gave Caroline some wheat cereal and a wheat biscuit. She had wheat on 5 separate occasions, and no signs of food allergies. I am so relieved!

We've Come A Long Way

I just looked over some of my old blog posts- wow, we are doing so much better now. Thank God! Those were some rough times.

Food Allergy Awareness Week- May 10-16

From FAAN:

FAIRFAX, Va. (April 28, 2009) – As part of its ongoing efforts to educate people about food allergies and reduce risk-taking behavior during Food Allergy Awareness Week and on a daily basis, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) reminds everyone to CAP It!

Carry your medicine. Avoid your allergen. Plan ahead to prevent a reaction. Simply put, CAP It can save a life.

For the 12th annual Food Allergy Awareness Week, May 10-16, 2009, FAAN is highlighting the need for improved education and awareness about food allergies and the need to "Take Action, Prevent Reactions." These efforts are vital to improving safety and avoiding a reaction, whether it's teaching a child's classmates how to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction or encouraging teachers, athletic directors, or other school officials to learn how to use an epinephrine auto-injector. Though food allergies can be fatal, this is a condition that can be safely managed through education and preparedness.

"Food allergies can be challenging to manage, but we know that reactions can be prevented by taking a few simple steps," said Julia Bradsher, CEO of FAAN. "Adults and children with food allergies and their families can empower themselves every day by taking steps to safeguard against reactions. By sharing their knowledge with others during Food Allergy Awareness Week and throughout the year, we hope to reduce the number of reactions and save lives."

As the prevalence of food allergy rises, particularly among children, there is an increasing need for education and awareness about food allergies as well. About 12 million Americans, including 3 million children, have food allergies. While there are many encouraging research studies underway, there is no cure for food allergies. Avoidance is the only way to prevent a reaction.

"Food Allergy Awareness Week is a really good opportunity for people with food allergies to go out in the community and tell people exactly what they want them to know about food allergies," said Caitlin Krutsick, 17, of Bethlehem, Pa., who is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. She has learned to speak up about her food allergies, and is not only an advocate for herself, but for others with food allergies.

Take time during Food Allergy Awareness Week to help those with food allergies "Take Action, Prevent Reactions." Visit FAAN's website, www.foodallergy.org, to sign up for a free packet of information and to download a wealth of Web exclusive materials – from posters to children's activities to educational presentation templates.

FAAN would like to recognize this year's Platinum Corporate Sponsors of Food Allergy Awareness Week: Food Lion, LLC, McKee Foods Corporation, and Publix Super Market Charities, Inc., and this year's Silver Corporate Sponsor, the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

ABOUT FAAN

Founded in 1991, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is the world leader in information about food allergy, a potentially fatal condition that afflicts approximately 12 million Americans, or one out of every 25. A nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, Va., FAAN has 30,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and 62 other countries. It is dedicated to increasing public awareness of food allergy and its consequences, to educating people about the condition, and to advancing research on behalf of all those affected by it. FAAN provides information and educational resources about food allergy to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials. For more information, please visit FAAN at www.foodallergy.org, www.faankids.org, and www.faanteen.org.

Tree Season Already???

Owen's face was messy yesterday. I believe it is because all the time we spent outside this weekend enjoying the beautiful weather. I believe we will have to give him Claritin every day, and not just on day care days. Owen went on a walk, rolled in the grass, climbed trees, and played with Chrissy (the neighbor's dog). By the end of Owen's time with Chrissy, he needed Benadryl. He had hives around his nose, cheeks, and eyes. Doug still does not think Owen is allergic to dogs. We'll see. I'm pretty convinced because of the raised hives he had.

I have already declared my hatred for peanuts. My hatred for trees is growing very quickly. Hopefully Claritin will get us through this tree season.

Caroline has had a red spot between her neck and chest for about 1 week. It is a 3 inch line that is 1/4 inch diameter. It has not changed much. It looks like eczema. I'm sad to think about what this may mean. But I am forcing myself to think positively.