A little while ago I wrote a post about the upcoming Food Allergy Oral Challenge William would soon be facing. That particular challenge was for his egg allergy. It called for him to actually eat eggs, scrambled in this case. I don’t mind sharing with you that I was scared to death for my son. Scared that he would pass the test and scared that he wouldn’t. I know that may seem strange to some folks, not wanting your child to pass a test that would see him free of a potentially life threatening allergy and I suppose it is strange, but I had my reasons.
When William was first diagnosed with food allergies, to dairy, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, our lives were turned upside down. How do you feed a child when most of what you eat on a regular basis contains his allergens? Well, we learned, through patience and perseverance how to avoid all four of those items. We learned about substitutes and alternatives. We learned how to read labels like they were a favorite suspense novel; hanging off of every word. We taught family and friends how to feed William and what signs to watch for, just in case he did ingest one of his allergens. We prepped William in a way that taught him about his allergies without scaring him. At least I hope we didn’t scare him. We drove home the point of the severity of this disease to Emily, William’s big sister. I think she had to grow up a little quicker the first time we practiced using an expired Epi Pen on an apple. We were vigilant in making William’s world safe.
Emily practicing using an Epi Pen on an apple
So when during William’s last skin test he did not react to eggs I was both excited and nervous. We had to wait a month for the results of the blood test that also came back negative for an egg allergy. Hooray, right? Alas, I could not celebrate and even now I am still learning to look at this as a positive thing. I sincerely do not want my child to have life threatening allergies, I truly do not, but ever since his first outbreak we have been on high alert. How do you switch that off? Better still, how can we switch it off? The results of the test, while encouraging are not a guarantee. We have been told that William’s allergy to egg, and dairy for that matter, could resurface at any time. He has to eat eggs to keep the allergy at bay. Simple, right?
The night before the oral challenge I told William what was going to happen. He seemed confused at first, but then let it go. I asked William if he wanted to talk about it, but he said no. The next morning I went looking for him to get dressed for the doctor’s visit and guess where I found him? He was hiding in the toy chest in his room! Right inside the chest! He refused to come out and when asked why his reply was, “I am not gonna eat eggs because I will die.” My heart broke right then and there. It took us awhile to convince William to come out and talk. He was terrified to eat eggs and I don’t blame him. All he had ever known in his short little five year life was that eggs were dangerous for him to consume and now we were going to make him eat them? How could we? I am still not sure how we got him in the car. He kept saying, “I don’t want to eat eggs. I will die.”
My handsome, very brave William
This is a happy boy after passing his egg challenge!
Fortunately our allergist is a wonderful doctor. He is so great with children that I think he must have been a clown in a former life. William needed a lot of convincing to take the tiniest bite of egg, but the doctor managed it. William bravely ate his egg and over the course of the next two and a half hours he consumed about half of a scrambled egg! Each time the doctor would check for a reaction. For the entire time I had Epi Pens at the ready and I know the doctor was well equipped. But, we didn’t need them. Yes, this was definitely a cause for celebration and, for the most part, I know it is a good thing. A great thing really, that William has outgrown his egg allergy. A part of me will probably always be on the lookout for reactions and we still have the dreaded peanut and tree nut allergies to worry about. It does give me peace of mind though to know that William can continue to grow up and fear one less thing. We are blessed..
FT&PD
Suz
That is so scary! But YAY! I’m an EMT so sometimes when I see allergic reactions, they are baaaad. So glad to hear that he’s beaten (haha, eggs. Beaten. so witty!) the eggs!
LOL, I am glad someone caught my sense of humour Heather 🙂 I can just imagine the things you see! I am grateful to people such as yourself for being there for those that need it <3
So happy this had a positive ending for you all. Such a brave little guy! 🙂
Oops sorry about thumbnail pic. That is my husband who also writes for my site sometimes on This Girl Travels – as This GuyTravels. Need to correct that 🙂
Paula
LOL, I was wondering about that Paula 🙂
Thank you Paula, I appreciate it 🙂
I understand your trepidation, but… glad to hear he passed. 🙂
Thanks so much Jud, I appreciate it 🙂
Oh, that was wonderful news, Suzanne! A simple thing like no more egg substitute when baking…..as his Nana will attest to. As impossible as it might sound to say that this might happen where peanuts are concerned, I am saying a small prayer on a regular basis that HE will pass along that one miracle for William! ((hugs))
Thank you so much Gem, we appreciate the prayers, love and support 🙂
What a great idea practicing on an apple. I am so happy to read William passed the egg test. I bet you all were nervous with that tiny bite!
Thank you Tammy, it was very nerve wracking!
Yes, Suzanne it was wonderful news but I can understand where you are coming from not knowing for sure what will happen next. Well put in God’s Hands and he’ll be there for you.
Thanks Mom <3
So glad for William and this certainly is a cause for celebration! Praise The Lord!
Thank you Veronica and I agree. Praising God for his blessings <3
Allergies are so scary. My son’s friend is allergic to many of the same things your son is and I am always fearful that she will have a reaction here. So glad that your son if finally able to eat eggs! That is wonderful news. But I understand how scary it must be.
Thank you Brandy, it is great news! I have to trust it will always work out..
oh that must have been so confusing and scary for him, what a brave boy! so glad it’s one less thing you have to worry about
Thank you Jennifer, I appreciate it 🙂
Oh, that brought tears to my eyes to hear your guy say those things. I can only imagine the fear that was building inside him. 🙁 I’m glad to hear he passed! When did you decide to do an allergy test? my 3 year old shows sign of being allergy prone(eczema, occasional diarrhea, sensitive skin) but she’s never had any visible immediate allergic reactions. Glad to hear you guys are on the right path!
Thank you Katrina, I appreciate it. We had William tested for allergies when he was 8 months old. He reacted to the H1N1 shot and broke out all over his little body in tiny hives. It was the egg in the shot. At first the doctor said it was not an allergic reaction and would not refer us to an allergist. I had to insist and threaten to go elsewhere! The first skin test revealed the allergy to eggs, dairy, peanuts and tree nuts! William had severe eczema from about 3 months of age and his asthma became evident around the age of two and a half with his first attack. If you are at all concerned Katrina, I would get your daughter tested. It will, at the very least, put your mind at ease. I pray you have a good outcome! God bless..
That’s great news.
We as parents get stressed out and worried about all of this (which, of course we would) but I tend to forget about the emotions that play on the kids. That was heartbreaking that he hid in the toy chest. I’m glad things are better now 🙂
Thank you Randa, it was an eye opener for me 🙁
Awww what a big boy he is! Good for you William 🙂 One less allergy.
Thank you Dawn 🙂 we are pretty happy!
Awesome news Suz – well done William! I’m sure you will always be nervous that his allergy to eggs will resurface, but embrace the fact that he has one less allergy and I will pray for you that it will never come back.
Sam xx
Thank you so much Sam, I appreciate the positive thoughts and prayers <3
Here’s hoping your successes continue. I can’t imagine being in that position!
Thank you so much Cole, I appreciate it 🙂
Congrats on the positive success so far. Hoping the best for you. I was friends with someone who had a severe peanut allergy and always avoided any peanuts when I would see them. One day they came over and used my computer. I guess I had peanuts at some point and used the keyboard (maybe a week before). They used my computer and sure enough… had an attack. It is very serious and I can see why school have strict restrictions.
That would have been very scary Laurie! It just amazes me how long the residue can last on a surface. Thanks for sharing your story, I appreciate it 🙂