Growing up I always thought I was going to have a big family. I watched friends and family raise their kids and I found myself saying “I would never do that” or “That’s the way I want to raise my kids”. Then, seeing young people with allergies my thoughts were “I’m not going to be “That Guy” “
Well, my life hasn’t really gone the way that 20 year old Doug thought it was going to go. That all being said, I am blessed to have an amazing, strong wife and an equally amazing little girl.
Having a child with allergies is a real challenge. I have become “that guy” that so many years ago I said I didn’t want to be, not that I had a choice. I now have to read every label before food enters my home. I need to mindful of her surroundings at all times. Having a dairy allergy had changed and continues to change my life on a daily basis.
Yesterday, during lunch Eve had a reaction to something in her food. Food that she has eaten before and that she has never reacted to. She was eating humus, vegetable thins and broccoli soup. We were FaceTiming over lunch and she was really enjoying lunch. As she continued to eat she was becoming uncomfortable. Sue and I both agreed that her teeth were bothering her, so in goes the Advil. As we were wrapping up our conversation and Sue started to wipe off her face she noticed that hives were starting appear and over the next 30 minutes her cheeks, lips and face started to swell.
At this point my lunch hour was over and I was back to work but Sue continued to deal with Eve. I didn’t get to see the FULL extent of the reaction but it was enough to warrant a call to Telehealth who referred us to CHEO.
By the time I had closed out my day, rushed home and got to CHEO Eve was only suffering from a slightly swollen lower lip. They checked her out, top to bottom and asked that we stay for precautionary reasons. The nurses checked on us twice and after 3 hours we saw the doctor.
The doctor and the nurses all agreed that this was a situation that warranted using the EpiPen that we have been prescribed and that would have been followed up by a 9-1-1 call. Being that everywhere the food touched became swollen it was only logical that her tongue was swelling as well (which would have explained the drooling, which we thought was teething). We received some clearer instruction on how and when to use the EpiPen and we were discharged.
The entire afternoon was exhausting. It was an eye opener to me though. I have been selfish. I love milk, and I love cheese, and I have a couple items in the house that are “Daddy’s” and I like to think that I do a good job of keeping them away from Eve. I know that this reaction had nothing to do with the few items I have in the house, but my thoughts are… What if they had?? Time to get rid of the last couple things.
The old joke continues… I wish kids came with manuals. We are praying hard that she grows out of this allergy, but it’s not looking good right now. There is no worst feeling in the world then seeing your child in pain and not being able to do anything about it.
The adventure continues…
Life and Lessons learned 