Food Allergies - the Testing

Well, I promised to write about Izzy's testing of food allergies.  I recently read a question in a forum from a mom who wasn't sure how to prepare her kiddo (age 4) for the allergy test.  

When we found out Izzy needed allergy testing I was thankful that two of her cousins had been through the same thing.  Both of them came through it in one piece! :)  Frankly, I couldn't imagine having my then- three year old lay still for the skin tests or, worse, cooperate with the blood draw portion of the testing!  I was lucky we survived the yearly vaccinations without too much drama or tears.  But, we had to proceed.

First was the skin test.  I left my youngest kiddo Addie with my mom at home (thanks, mom!).  I was pregnant with Jonah, so he was low-maintenance :)  Izzy and I headed off to the doc's together.  We of course couldn't bring any food or snacks into the allergist's office due to food allergies, so we had a snack in the car on the way.  

In the week ahead I had prepared Izzy for the test.  I touched my finger nail to her skin to give her an idea of what the test would be like.  I told her she would get a few spots on her back and then would have to lay very still.  This is exactly what happened.

I knew she would have to lay very still for about 10-15 minutes, so I brought the iPod.  This was a life saver.  It gave her something to do that distracted her while laying flat.  I also sat next to her and rubbed her legs, hoping to distract her from any discomfort on her back.  Turns out her back was quite uncomfortable.  It started to burn and itch because, well, she's highly allergic to peanuts and nuts!  But she couldn't move or the test liquid would run down her back.  I told her we just needed to be still so we didn't have to come back and do this again in a week.  She was really uncomfortable but my leg rubbing and the games on the iPod helped her get through.  Also, I was, of course, praying for her to be still (thank you, God!).

A few days later we went to the blood lab with the whole family.  Fun outing!  :)  Not really.  I prayed like crazy in the days leading up as I just couldn't fathom the poor kid having her blood drawn.  I can only say that a miracle occurred.  When we were called into the lab they had a great kid-friendly room.  They had little toys to give the kids getting the draw.  Izzy and Addie (who also was tested with a blood draw; she was 1.5 years old), sat there with their toys.  When it was Izzy's turn, she sat on Jeff's lap (there wasn't much room on my prego lap).  And then the unbelievable happened.  When it was her turn for the draw she just talked to the lab tech and WATCHED.  No tears.  No fights.  She was very interesting in the whole thing!  I couldn't believe what I was seeing!  Addie's wasn't quite as smooth but it wasn't bad.  She sat still in Jeff's lap but had little quiet tears running down her sweet cheeks.  But, all in all, it was fairly quick and they forgot about it almost before we were out the door of the hospital.  

I always make it a practice to let them know we are "all done with that for awhile" after having something like that done.  Otherwise, they think the next day we are heading back to the hospital!

Anyway, Izzy's skin test unfortunately confirmed our suspicion about the peanut allergy and suggested she "might be" allergic to cashews as well.  The allergist told us all peanuts and tree nuts much be strictly avoided.  Addie's test suggested a possible almond allergy and suggested we avoid them for her until the next testing.  I doubt she's allergic as she's had almond milk and flour without problems prior to the testing.  But we are following the suggestions.  I also have to avoid all nuts and peanuts while pregnant and nursing.  Sibs have an 80% chance of having food allergies if one child has them.  

Anyway, I hope this story, written while a bit sleep-deprived and with a slightly foggy memory, helps some momma or daddy out there in preparing their kiddo for testing!  It really passes quickly and isn't nearly as bad as I imagined.  My best recommendations are 1) prayer and 2) hand held games :)

One Year Old!

It's hard to believe it, but Jonah is one year old!  (yeah, I've decided to give up the pseudonyms and go with real names).  

Twenty one months ago I was standing in the bathroom at our house staring at a pregnancy test.  I looked at it and said, "Oh my!!!"  Izzy was standing next to me and said, "What, mom?  Do you have a boo-boo?"  Well, not exactly :)  Jeff was upstairs asleep, taking a much needed nap to get through our busy life.  I remember going upstairs and telling him the news very quietly, almost hiding at the side of the bed.  And after that, I don't remember a thing!  Ha ha!  I'm pretty sure I didn't black out.  :)  And I'm certain he was happy.  I was too.  I was excited.  But I was a bit shocked and scared, too.

We had a three year old and one year old at the time.  Addie was still called "Baby Addie" (in fact, she was until up until the day Jonah was born).  I co-slept with her, nursing her in the night.  I had visions of doing this with two babes- literally surrounded all night by kids.  I couldn't do it!  Fortunately it all worked out and she weaned before Jonah was born :)

I had lots of worries during my pregnancy.  I said a lot of prayers, in distress, thinking about how I could possibly handle this load.  Every time I felt down on my knees I would read and be encouraged by some sort of message that said, "You can do it.  I will provide." And I believe that.  And I suppose God's answer to my prayer has helped get me through this year.

It's been hard but sooooo joyful!!!  I wouldn't change a thing.  (Well, perhaps I would go back in time and establish a savings account titled "babysitting fund").  I've never worked so hard in my life.  But I've never had so much real, meaningful fun, either.  I mean, these kids amaze me.  And Jonah has just brought so much joy to our family.  

He constantly smiles.  The girls regularly crack up at his antics, whether it's his all-out run to get to the stairs when they are unguarded for a second, or his relentlessness in playing with and chasing after balls.  Last night it was his eating dirt out of the tomato plant:)  In a typical one year old way, he's just so happy to greet the day and see his sisters.  They will run around the house doing something crazy and he just follows.  He has no idea what they are up to, simply that he has just got to be part of it.  

This might be why he's been walking for about six weeks now.  He was so determined!  The second he figured out how to take a few steps, I could tell he was going to give up the crawl soon.  I asked Jeff to get the crawl on video because it wouldn't be around long. Sure enough, he was done with it about four days later (and fortunately my hubby video taped it before it was gone!)

He's just "all boy".  I knew there would of course be differences, but I didn't know they would be so obvious, and so soon.  He plays with balls (and LOVES them).  The girls would just watch the balls roll by and look at me as if to say, "And?".  Jonah chases those balls like a dog!  And he is a magnet to cars and push toys.  Those cars are occasionally played with by the girls, but Jonah seeks them out on a regular basis.  I'm not sure if the push toys is a boy thing (especially since his favorite one is a stroller!), but he loves those too.  

Of course, he also is interested in what his sisters like...when they are creating art, he wants a crayon or marker.  He often gets one before I notice.  I usually catch on once I see some Jonah "art work" on the kitchen floor or his face :)  

Anyway, I need to clean my office at work now!  I just wanted to share a bit about our journey here and our wonderful, loved son who turns one year old today!  I never would have planned life to work out this way.  But we were open to the possibilities and we are so very happy that this is where we are.  Thank you, Lord, for Jonah and our family!

Pardon the typos- but, like I said, I need to start vacuuming!