Five years ago, I sat down to give my 7-month old son some formula for the first time. I remember wondering whether or not he was going to like it, since I had heard that it sometimes takes a few tries for babies to adjust to the taste. And I remember the feeling of sheer terror that gripped me as I watched the onset of what I would soon discover was an anaphylactic reaction to the milk protein in the formula.
At the time, I was vaguely familiar with food allergies. As a teacher, I had a child in one of my classes with a peanut allergy. I had been instructed on how to use the Epi-Pen, but I had never actually seen a severe reaction before. I was stunned and felt completely unprepared, not only for how severe the reaction was, but also for how quickly it proceeded.
Even though the experience was terrifying, I am thankful for so many things. That God gave me the strength and clarity to get Bryan to the hospital, even through both of our tears. That we learned about Bryan's allergies at a young age, so that it has been something that he has grown up with. That Bryan has the personality and the maturity to manage his food allergies as well as he does. And that we have been blessed with a network of supportive and caring people who are willing to listen and be patient with us as we figure out how to live outside our bubble.
Life with food allergies may never be simple, to be sure. But it's our life, and we are learning to live it, day by day, month by month, year by year.
At the time, I was vaguely familiar with food allergies. As a teacher, I had a child in one of my classes with a peanut allergy. I had been instructed on how to use the Epi-Pen, but I had never actually seen a severe reaction before. I was stunned and felt completely unprepared, not only for how severe the reaction was, but also for how quickly it proceeded.
Even though the experience was terrifying, I am thankful for so many things. That God gave me the strength and clarity to get Bryan to the hospital, even through both of our tears. That we learned about Bryan's allergies at a young age, so that it has been something that he has grown up with. That Bryan has the personality and the maturity to manage his food allergies as well as he does. And that we have been blessed with a network of supportive and caring people who are willing to listen and be patient with us as we figure out how to live outside our bubble.
Life with food allergies may never be simple, to be sure. But it's our life, and we are learning to live it, day by day, month by month, year by year.
