So I'm beginning to realize how much of an issue keeping the EpiPen at appropriate temperature is in our climate. I had to replace an Epipen earlier this week when it fell out of my purse in the truck. I didn't realize this had happened until the next morning, by which point our -25C weather had frozen it solid.
A phone call to our doctor's office, then our pharmacist, and we now have a new Epi-pen, which I will *not* leave in the truck again. *meh*
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
What was it?
We've had a busy couple of days, and eaten several meals out, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when William had a reaction last night. On the plus side, while it was a serious one, it only involved his gastrointestinal system, so no anaphylaxis. On the down side, because of what he ate yesterday, I can narrow the culprit down to supper, but no further. My guess is that it was the pizza, but I'm not positive, and because he started a new round of antibiotics (for croup and strep throat) that required a double first-dose, I can't entirely rule those out as the culprit, either.
Suffice to say, the lesson learned from this is that while I've been careful, I may not be being careful enough. And eating out presents such a challenge. I don't want him to feel excluded by having him eat before events (like Walter's Christmas hockey party last night), which is what one of the other parents chose to do. But I don't want him to have a reaction, either. I'm a bit torn, because I thought I'd done enough leg-work to ensure it was safe, but I'm beginning to realize that people don't understand just how serious a severe allergy can be. I'll do some checking this afternoon, when the rec complex is open, but my guess is that I'll have a hard time figuring out what the specific cause was. Regardless, I can see us bringing a lot more of our own food for William for future events. *sigh*
Suffice to say, the lesson learned from this is that while I've been careful, I may not be being careful enough. And eating out presents such a challenge. I don't want him to feel excluded by having him eat before events (like Walter's Christmas hockey party last night), which is what one of the other parents chose to do. But I don't want him to have a reaction, either. I'm a bit torn, because I thought I'd done enough leg-work to ensure it was safe, but I'm beginning to realize that people don't understand just how serious a severe allergy can be. I'll do some checking this afternoon, when the rec complex is open, but my guess is that I'll have a hard time figuring out what the specific cause was. Regardless, I can see us bringing a lot more of our own food for William for future events. *sigh*
Monday, December 3, 2012
It's a good thing I read labels
Just like many school mornings around here, I got up early, tossed a batch of muffins together and got everyone organized for the day. It was especially complicated because we got about a foot or so of snow last night, which meant leaving 45 minutes earlier than normal to make sure I got to my first class on time.
Because I was in such a hurry, I did something I rarely do and used a muffin mix (just add water & stir). It wasn't until I was taking the muffins out of the pan and sorting out breakfast for in the truck that I even thought to look at the package's ingredients list.
Good thing I did, as there is was, in teeny tiny little letters: "contains sulphites." Damn.
Good thing I had one lonely muffin left form the last batch, as that's what William got. Now Walter and I are going to be eating bran muffins all week, and I need to make a batch of William's favourite blueberry ones tonight. *sigh* Good thing I checked, but I'm really wishing I'd have learned by this point to check first, and not after.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Don't eat that!
We were out this afternoon at Walter's hockey game, where I was busy taking pictures. Between shifts, I put the camera down to see William take a big bite of a cookie. Cookie? Cookie! Asked D if he'd checked what was in it, and he admitted that he hadn't even thought about it. ARGH!
William had only had two bites, but still ... so not a good thing. Turns out my MIL had got it for him, having gotten herself one. For some reason, despite my previous explanations, she thought he "only got a rash" from sulphites. Wrong!
I'm frustrated and more than a bit angry at the moment. Yes, it was a simple mistake, but when a simple mistake can have such dire consequences as an anaphylactic reaction, well, I at least tend to be extraordinarily careful and I don't think I'm out of line to expect that others do the same. I'd like to rant and rave, but I'm not going to. I'll certainly be making sure, however, that this doesn't happen again (with her). Sometimes I think I'm becoming a bitch about food, but quite frankly if that's what it takes to keep William safe, I guess that's what I'm going to have to become.
William had only had two bites, but still ... so not a good thing. Turns out my MIL had got it for him, having gotten herself one. For some reason, despite my previous explanations, she thought he "only got a rash" from sulphites. Wrong!
I'm frustrated and more than a bit angry at the moment. Yes, it was a simple mistake, but when a simple mistake can have such dire consequences as an anaphylactic reaction, well, I at least tend to be extraordinarily careful and I don't think I'm out of line to expect that others do the same. I'd like to rant and rave, but I'm not going to. I'll certainly be making sure, however, that this doesn't happen again (with her). Sometimes I think I'm becoming a bitch about food, but quite frankly if that's what it takes to keep William safe, I guess that's what I'm going to have to become.
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