Friday, June 16, 2017

May 29, 2017

also known as the scariest day as a parent yet.


the absolute longest and most terrifying 37 minutes of my life went down like this:



4:35--gave Fletcher spoon full of peanut butter
4:37--texted Julia "We're trying it again too. Even though he's broken out twice." [oh Lauren, you fool] Julia was giving Wade his second taste of peanut butter too that afternoon.
4:45ish--Fletcher starts coughing. He's had a cold so I didn't think it was too abnormal.
4:46ish---Fletcher is coughing more. So, I asked Jared to come listen to him. Jared thinks he might have peanut butter stuck in his mouth. Mom instincts are telling me something is not right. Nursing judgment is out the window at this point
4:48ish--Fletcher starts to wheeze, drool, cry, sweat, and is looking very scared
4:48:30ish--we start to freak, I told Jared we need to get Benadryl in him. But of course I forget how much we are supposed to give him. Jared is reading the box which states "not recommended for children under two." I yell, "I know but I know we can give it to him, damn it," while googling the dosage to administer.
4:49ish--finally find the dosage (3.75mL) and try to give it to Fletcher who can barely swallow
4:50--called pediatrician on call to explain situation and get advice on what to do. She said they have a very low threshold for reactions to peanuts and to call 911
4:54--Jared calls 911
[I think they arrived around 3-5 minutes later which feels like an eternity when you are in full blown panic mode]
5:00ish--breathing is much better. Fletcher and mom have calmed down. EMS says breath sounds are normal, pulse ox and heart rate are normal.
5:12--snap survival picture with EMS people because when you have just had that intense of a moment, you need to document it.







The next day I took Fletcher to the pediatrician where we were asked a lot of questions and prescribed an epi pen. When we arrived at the pharmacy they told us the pen they prescribed was going to $600. I directly said, no, it will not be. The tech helped to get us set up with a generic which only cost $60 for two. Sheesh, I knew there was controversy about these epi pens but I was ignorant and didn't pay attention or care until my kid actually had an allergy.


I genuinely went through the stages of grief after the reaction and being diagnosed with the allergy. Initially it was denial. The pediatrician asked me if I wanted allergy testing and promptly said "no." Why, I couldn't tell you. I thought, well we already have an epi pen so if he almost nearly dies from anything else we will be ready. Then it was a lot of anger. I still am angry and sad. As a mother you never want your children to live with any limitations. I fully understand that peanut allergies are very common and are much more mainstream now. I also understand that he could have a much worse or obscure allergy. However, that does not prevent me from being worried about everything he puts in his mouth or what he could come in contact with on the playground or at someone else's house or if he is around someone who doesn't recognize the signs of a reaction. I don't want Fletcher to have to worry about what he can or can't eat. I don't want to be one of those crazy helicopter moms that constantly worry. But, here I am reading labels and planning where the epi pens will be stored. It just sucks, it really really really sucks. So yes, still working through the anger and depression stages. Not quite to acceptance because I did everything "like I was told" and he still ended up having a scary reaction.


Our plan is to find a great allergist and get him tested to find out the severity of his allergy so we can be prepared for the future. We are also lucky that we live in an area with wonderful doctors and hospitals. there are world renowned allergist who are doing clinical trials for peanut allergies. One is working on sensitizing children. When Fletcher is older I hope to get him into one of those.

It took me a long time to sit down and write this post because I was so upset and still am. Even reading this over I get emotional thinking about what happened and what his life will look like from here. However, we have a great support system and have friends whose children also have allergies so we are not alone.

34 comments:

  1. Ugh, you handled it better than I would. Poor Fletcher 🙁. I hope it's just peanuts. I eat PB&Js almost everyday and can't imagine, but I know he will be fine!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I curious more interest in some of them hope you will give more information on this topics in your next articles. Best basmati rice in dubai

    ReplyDelete
  3. Excellent Blog! I would like to thank for the efforts you have made in writing this post. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. I wanted to thank you for this websites! Thanks for sharing. Great websites! iii host

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well we really like to visit this site, many useful information we can get here. photo enhancement service

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi to everybody, here everyone is sharing such knowledge, so it’s fastidious to see this site, and I used to visit this blog daily Macaroni Day

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your content is nothing short of brilliant in many ways. I think this is engaging and eye-opening material. Thank you so much for caring about your content and your readers. accommodation at falls creek

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi to everybody, here everyone is sharing such knowledge, so it’s fastidious to see this site, and I used to visit this blog daily Price today Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi to everybody, here everyone is sharing such knowledge, so it’s fastidious to see this site, and I used to visit this blog daily private label manufacturers

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great tips and very easy to understand. This will definitely be very useful for me when I get a chance to start my blog. Phenq before and after

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is a wonderful article, Given so much info in it, These type of articles keeps the users interest in the website, and keep on sharing more ... good luck. wordpress autoblog setup

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have to search sites with relevant information on given topic and provide them to teacher our opinion and the article. Farming Simulator 18 For PC

    ReplyDelete
  12. You actually make it look so easy with your performance but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never comprehend. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it! click to read more

    ReplyDelete
  13. Really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us.Great site and a great topic as well i really get amazed to read this. Its really good. FNaF World Games Download

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have to search sites with relevant information on given topic and provide them to teacher our opinion and the article. best football prediciton site in the world

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have to search sites with relevant information on given topic and provide them to teacher our opinion and the article. eid al adha wishes sms

    ReplyDelete
  16. You might comment on the order system of the blog. You should chat it's splendid. Your blog audit would swell up your visitors. I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! football draw prediction banker for this weekend

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am looking for and I love to post a comment that "The content of your post is awesome" Great work! Quickbooks enterprise support

    ReplyDelete
  18. Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. best soccer prediction site.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Awesome blog. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work! photoshop clipping

    ReplyDelete
  20. Actually I read it yesterday but I had some thoughts about it and today I wanted to read it again because it is very well written. gutter cleaning near me

    ReplyDelete
  21. I must admit that your post is really interesting. I have spent a lot of my spare time reading your content. Thank you a lot! gcc marketing

    ReplyDelete
  22. It’s very informative and you are obviously very knowledgeable in this area. You have opened my eyes to varying views on this topic with interesting and solid content. photo retouch

    ReplyDelete
  23. I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. Wedding Photo Retouching

    ReplyDelete
  24. I adore your websites way of raising the awareness on your readers. arabic majlis

    ReplyDelete
  25. Actually I read it yesterday but I had some thoughts about it and today I wanted to read it again because it is very well written. antiques

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is really very nice post you shared, i like the post, thanks for sharing.. Nazar

    ReplyDelete
  27. Going to graduate school was a positive decision for me. I enjoyed the coursework, the presentations, the fellow students, and the professors. And since my company reimbursed 100% of the tuition, the only cost that I had to pay on my own was for books and supplies. Otherwise, I received a free master’s degree. All that I had to invest was my time. movers and packers Dubai Abu Dhabi

    ReplyDelete
  28. I finally found great post here.I will get back here. I just added your blog to my bookmark sites. thanks.Quality posts is the crucial to invite the visitors to visit the web page, that's what this web page is providing. Tu Aashiqui

    ReplyDelete
  29. Actually I read it yesterday but I had some thoughts about it and today I wanted to read it again because it is very well written. best mechanical keyboard gaming

    ReplyDelete
  30. I finally found great post here.I will get back here. I just added your blog to my bookmark sites. thanks.Quality posts is the crucial to invite the visitors to visit the web page, that's what this web page is providing. Kumkum Bhagya

    ReplyDelete
  31. I just got to this amazing site not long ago. I was actually captured with the piece of resources you have got here. Big thumbs up for making such wonderful blog page! Yeh Hai Mohabbatein

    ReplyDelete
  32. Easily, the article is actually the best topic on this registry related issue. I fit in with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your next updates. Data vs Information

    ReplyDelete
  33. Three are usually cheap Ralph Lauren available for sale each and every time you wish to buy. ishqbaaz

    ReplyDelete
  34. "There are Ocean of Games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.
    "

    ReplyDelete