The Doctor spent about an hour with us! I did not feel rushed, and got alot of allergy questions answered. I also found out that P is in the 75th percentile for weight (40.25 pounds) and the 95th percentile for height (43.5 inches). When did my child get so big?! *Sigh*. He's almost full-grown. Okay, probably not...but it won't be too long before he reaches the top of the giraffe in our pediatrician's office.
After nearly 3 years without a severe peanut attack, it baffles me that P has had TWO pretty severe attacks this month! I'm wondering what in the world is going on! This last attack was at church on Sunday, when a well-meaning relative gave him a Butterfinger chocolate heart (for V-Day) and within 20 minutes of eating it, P had thrown up, had hives all over, and was itching profusely. He also had a hoarse voice and was coughing. (Throat swelling?!) I called the nurses line, and absolutely praise the LORD that his second dose Benadryl kicked in because the next step was the E.R. The nurse told me to watch for the coughing/hoarse voice, and of course unconsciousness. This attack really shook me up. I hate seeing him like that! We have to be so careful.
So, after eating out at Applebee's a couple weeks ago (where he also had a pretty severe reaction)...I am thinking we can no longer take him out to eat with us. He has had their chicken tenders/fries at least a dozen times...They are not cooked in peanut oil, do not normally cause reactions, etc. THIS time however, it appears that the french fries that were prepared in the common fryer were contaminated with some sort of peanut product that may have been cooked in the fryer previously. He threw up his entire supper that night after he was in bed...had hives on his face/bloodshot eye...gave him Benadryl and then he was fine and slept through the night.
I am taking him to the natural doctor next Tuesday that we've seen before in town. I was skeptical of their processes at first, but we saw AMAZING improvement with his severe eczema and tummy troubles when he two years old. I am a firm believer in the natural treatment of the body. It seems that Dr. offices many times just give you creams/pills to mask the symptoms, but natural care is aimed at getting to the SOURCE of the problem. I'm thinking something is out of whack with P right now, causing his more frequent and severe reactions. Hopefully they'll be able to pinpoint it and give us the minerals/supplements we need to help him out!
After our lengthy Doctor's appointment this morning, we picked up our new prescription for 2 more Epi-pens (and bought P a pack of Transformers for being so brave while they took 3 vials of blood from him) and then headed over to meet some friends at the Children's Museum. The kids had great fun playing, and us Moms loved the chat time! I grabbed a Jimmy John's sandwich on the way home for lunch. Yes, #6. Delightful.
Tonight is my friend's jewelry party and my Mom is coming down for it. I suppose I should get to cleaning. The maid is late again. She's so fired!
