Sometimes LIFE gets in the way….
Posted: 04/14/2014
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I’m sitting here — Sunday night, thinking that I should get a recipe up for you all to see. It’s a week full of giveaways and I want you to see some recipes mixed in and not just giveaways.
Truth of the matter is, I’m tired.
So let’s just chat.
Last night we had Lebanese carry-out for dinner. Leftovers of it, actually. Ben asked me if he could give N (my 15 month old son) some tahini to try. I said sure – and these were my actual words: “I don’t think sesame seed allergies are very common.”
Famous last words.
N tried less than a drop of it and spit it out. Turns out he isn’t a fan.
Five minutes later, he’s rubbing his eyes and hands
2 minutes after that, I notice some hives on his face. I get on the phone with the pharmacy to verify the dosage of children’s Benedryl before I give it to him (and yes, I know Benedryl is indicated for children over two, but he’s required it before and my pediatrician has approved it). From the other room, I hear my husband call my name and I come in, phone still to my ear (THANKS FOR PUTTING ME ON HOLD FORRRRRRREVER, CVS). I take one look at N and see that his eyes are incredibly puffy. I hang up the phone, pour 1/2 teaspoon of Benedryl down his throat, and tell Ben to take him to the ER right away.
I run back up to our living room, grab E, throw her in the car and get to the ER myself.
When I saw N there, I gasped. Loudly. His eyes were nearly swollen shut and he was almost unrecognizable. He was extremely lethargic and not at all acting like himself.
You guys. I hope I never, ever, ever have to see my son looking like this again.
It was a terrifying evening and I am so glad it is over and he is okay.
We spent about 3 hours in the hallway of the ER because they were so busy. N was a trooper and did so well. The doctors and nurses were amazing. I thank God that he’s okay. I always knew N would be the first of my kids to end up in the ER but I figured it would be for a broken bone.
They gave him a couple more medications and monitored him until he was out of the woods — I guess sometimes there is a rebound effect?
Anyways. No recipe today. I’d love to hear your experiences with food allergies though! Anyone know of someone with an allergy to sesame seeds? My daughter, E, is allergic to walnuts and possibly pecans and other nuts. But she’s never responded to them like N did last night.
(That photo is after he had been at the ER for three hours and was doing MUCH better — I wouldn’t have dreamed of taking a picture of him when we first got there. I don’t want to remember that, and I had better things to be doing than photographing my poor sick kiddo.)
Diana says
So sorry you had to go through that, but glad he’s better!
Diana
Rachel Gurk says
Thank you, Diana!
SnoWhite@Finding Joy in my Kitchen says
I am so glad your little one is OK! I have allergies to all tree nuts & sesame too. As you know, food allergies are tough, so I am sorry both your kids have them.
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
Oh my gosh! I saw the title of this post and thought “oh yeah, I can totally relate to this right now.” I’ve been sick lately, and just overwhelmed, tired, uninspired, all of the things. But really, it’s nothing compared to what you went through with your son. So glad he’s OK. Can don’t beat yourself up when the blog has to take a backseat. I need to remember that myself sometimes.
Can’t wait to meet you tomorrow, Rachel!
Julie says
Poor little guy! And poor you! No horrible allergies like that, but having a child with a chronic disease is no picnic. It really increases your prayer life, doesn’t it? I’m so thankful that he’s ok. All of these nut allergies are just odd–I don’t remember them being as prevalent years ago. I’m glad that they are becoming more aware of them. Let’s just hope and pray that it doesn’t happen again. Hope this week goes better for all of you.
Rachel Gurk says
It sure does. The increase in allergies is weird — wonder why it is?
Definitely praying it doesn’t happen again. Thanks Julie!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Poor baby! and poor you! how scaryyyy! I am terrified of my future children having food allergies-it’s so scary!
Rachel Gurk says
It really is! Hopefully you’ll never have to deal with it!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
I am so sorry that you have to go through this with N! I have a few food allergies, as do 3 of my 4 sons. The first one to react (Son #2) did so after I flippantly said that since my mom the ER Nurse was there, we could try to introduce peanut butter. He didn’t even eat it, because as soon as it touched his lip, the lip ballooned before our eyes! Ten years later and 3 more allergic kids, food allergies are a way of life. We are very diligent, but reactions do still happen from time to time. I admire you for being able to write about N’s reaction so soon afterward. After the first time I had to use an epi pen on my son, I held it together for two days afterward before completely falling apart. Anaphylactic reactions are SUPER scary! Hang in there, Sister!
Rachel Gurk says
It was therapeutic to write about it.It was such a scary experience, one I hope I’ll never have to go through again but am also sure I will. Thanks so much for your support. See you in a couple of days!!! :-D
LadyMichigan says
So glad he is doing much better. They can scare you half to death in just a second. They are tough but oh so fragile at the same time. Being a parent is the hardest thing you will ever do. Sounds like you are doing a great job.
Rachel Gurk says
So, so, so true. Thank you for your kind words. :)
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
oh my goodness…so glad he is okay!!
Rachel Gurk says
me too :) thanks Sarah!
Amy @Very Culinary says
UGH. Rachel. Both my kids have a peanut allergy. BOTH. The odds of that are actually really low…so, I just got lucky. Yay! :/ How did I find out with #1? Went to a fish fry (and apparently everything was deep fried in peanut oil, I guess) – Haley was just under 3 at the time. She couldn’t breath. Ended up in emergency. The good news is that both of them can have any other kind of nut. The bad news is that peanuts are in everything.
Now at 8, and Trevor almost 6, some things have gotten easier and some harder. Being in public school where it’s not peanut-free has me on high alert all the time. I’m so sorry. This just…stinks.
Rachel Gurk says
Oh my goodness, so scary. And both! Luckily peanut allergies are becoming more common so things are labeled well, but that doesn’t make it easier. My kids have to go and be weird and be allergic to walnuts and sesame seeds. ;)
Even though these stories are all so scary, it’s nice to hear from other mommas who have been through it and are going through it. Thanks for sharing. xoxoxo
Erin says
Hi – I’m a newbie to your blog but felt compelled to comment on this post. First, so glad your little one is okay. Went through something similar (but far less severe) with my son after eating hummus at two years old. Sounds like you know the drill a bit, but turns out sesame allergies are extremely common, just not one of the top eight or so that require special allergy labeling on packages – be careful buying all crackers from now on! That was the trickiest one to avoid. Also watch out for hot dog and hamburger buns, especially from fast food places that you normally wouldn’t even think of. Might also want to avoid Asian take-out because of the oil.
You can buy single dose (1t) Benadryl squeeze packets that you can carry in your purse for emergencies and also meltaway tabs in case his throat were to close and he couldn’t swallow the former. Also, you’ll probably want to get a prescription for pediatric EpiPens from your pediatrician/allergist. The experience you’ve described would have warranted using them – basically, hives plus any other symptom (swelling, nausea, lethargy, etc.) means use an EpiPen and call an ambulance. You don’t want to drive yourself in case he were to go into anaphaphylaxis on the way and require tubing. Not something you want to mess around with. :( Best of luck!!
Rachel Gurk says
Hi Erin,
Thanks for your comment! I definitely always keep Benedryl in my diaper bag and will so even more now. Good to know about the single dose packets and melt-aways though, I can imagine they are great for travel carry-ons! We are making an appointment with an allergist asap to get this all figured out.
Funny that you mentioned all that about sesame seeds — I did some reading yesterday and learned most of that. Interesting that warnings are required on labels in other countries but not the USA.
And yeah..I realize looking back now that an ambulance may have been a better option. Live and learn. Thank God he’s okay.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
That sounds so scary! So sorry you had to go through this, Rachel… Happy to hear that your little guy is doing well! xoxo
Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Anna! xo
denise says
So glad to hear he’s okay now.
Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Denise. :)