Let me set the scene for you. Remember this commercial?
Yeah... that one. I'm pretty sure I'll be on the next installment.
I got up yesterday morning and got dressed. This included putting on a belt.
In my defense, I put on a belt that is at least 9 years old and I have only used two notches the entire time of me owning the belt. But I digress.
Sam and I go get lunch at Burger King yesterday because that is one place where he can eat both the chicken nuggets and fries. Party in the king's palace. Rah freaking rah.
So I order, pay, and then wait for our food. As soon as the lady hands me my sack of food, I hear a *POP* and suddenly my pants are much looser than they were previously.
Well sonofamountaingoat... that's unfortunate.
After sitting down, I did some investigating and MY BELT HAS RIPPED IN HALF.
In... half. It has not come apart at the buckle... the belt has RIPPED in HALF!
WATCH OUT! IMMA GONNA EAT CHA!
I've never felt prettier in my life. And I know, I know, the belt was worn... blah blah blah... but there is a little something to be said for it ripping in half as the
On to the allergy testing portion of the day...
According to this test, he isn't allergic to anything but mold and dust.
Bull butter.
And then I found out the first round of testing didn't even include almonds or bananas. So... what am I here for?!
So she redoes the test to include dairy (again), almonds, and bananas.
All negative. This must be a test in self control.
So I start to ask my questions...
1) So he can have dairy, almonds, and bananas?
Answer: No. He is obviously having a reaction to them.
2) So what is the difference in that reaction versus the allergies you tested for?
Answer: He just has an intolerance to those things.
3) So what is the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?
Answer: To you there isn’t. To us there is. He isn’t having a reaction to our test but he is having a reaction to the actual food. This means he will likely grow out of it, but it isn’t an allergy.
Well I’m obviously not going to get anywhere with her. She offered a blood test referral but at this point I don’t know what that is going to do. And she is certainly not the woman with answers.
So after we left and I vented my frustrations to the lovely Susan Mack, I promptly went to Chenal Family Practice (seriously THE BEST family practice/allergy clinic EVER). My girls in the allergy clinic (Amber and Robin… for reals they are awesome) took a look at the results and they were very polite, but basically said that they are not favorable to that type of testing for a reason and that they understood my frustration. They also buttered Sam up pretty well with some gummies and jell-o… but that’s just more about their awesomeness isn’t it?
Anyway, they asked the doctor there who has lots of experience in the allergy field what he thought and he basically said, there is a reason they don’t do that testing in his clinic… it just isn’t that accurate. Some kids respond very well… others do not and Sam just happens to be a kid that does not. He verified that yes, in fact, there is something wrong with the way Sam reacts to the almonds and the dairy and that he would still continue to avoid those things the way we are now. Even if we did re-test or get a blood test, the results could change 6 months from now and that’s a lot to put a child through. So, in essence, keep doing what your doing and don’t let the bum allergy test get you down. That’s why I love you Dr. K! Keep it real!
So… after allergy testing I’ve learned:
1) Sam is allergic to molds and dusts (who isn’t?)
2) He is not allergic to dairy, banana, or almond. Except that he is. So don’t feed it to him.
3) After a long day of frustrating and pointless testing and my whale blubber busting belts, I can be a little irritable (sorry Justin… luvs ya!)
No good!!! We had a horrible experience getting Abby diagnosed with her allergies...one in a list of reasons that I HATE AR Childrens Hospital. They lost her bloodwork and it had to be re-drawn, then tried to tell us that she just had a virus. When I went to our regular, wonderful pediatrician, she said, "These are the worst allergy levels I've ever seen." Theeeennn, we get a call from ACH wanting to use Abby for a study on kids with allergies. I can't repeat in polite company the things that my husband told them during that phone call. :/ Idiots.
ReplyDeleteHi there. I am wondering if my daughter has a milk allergy. She was tested but they said no but she has had constant ear infections her entire first year of life. I'd like to get some advice from you if you are willing! Can you shoot me an email? I tried your contact link but it wouldn't work for me. Thanks!!
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