My Life as an Asthma Mom

Quick post before I run off to the Halloween party for work. This morning, I grabbed a shirt from the shelf in my closet - a cute little thing that spelled "Happy Halloween" in orange and white sequins. That was all the dressing up I was going to do today.... However, I haven't worn the shirt since last year. So, I threw it in the dryer on the "steam refresh" cycle, pulled on a skirt and thought I would be okay.  Wrong. As soon as I arrived at my office, I started sneezing.....then coughing....then realized not only did I need to quickly use my inhaler, but I would have to drive back home and change my clothes! So, here I am back at the office.  If you (or your kids) have asthma and allergies and are triggered by dust, PLEASE clean your costume carefully before you wear it tonight. You just might have time to get it washed and dried before it's time to trick or treat.   I can hardly type this blog entry because my hands...

Ah, the constant battle of trying to find the right medication - and one I can afford! Like many people with asthma, I also have allergies - including food allergies. So, I carry an epinephrine auto injector.  And since I had an accidental exposure to seafood last month, my body made new antibodies and I'm afraid my next exposure to seafood will mean a very severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis.) To be safe, I take epinephrine EVERYWHERE I go. In fact, my epinephrine has been to Disneyland, Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Washington DC and Paris. (The Washington DC security checks at the Senate and House buildings are REALLY strict - so after they put my purse through the x-ray machine, the officer was really suspicious! I had to pull out my epinephrine and explain what it was and why I had to carry it.)  Anyway, I'm sure most of you have heard about the controversy about Mylan raising the price on their Epi Pens. Since I needed a new epinephrin...

    And.....the fun begins! Trying to find candy without tree nuts for Halloween. Son #2 has a tree nut allergy and had an accidental exposure last month. Not good. There are many different types of chocolate candy that don't have tree nuts (Milky Way, Milk Duds, Hershey's chocolate bars, Whoppers, etc.) But many times, the snack size candy bars are in the same bag with candy bars that DO have nuts. Or they're made in the same factory (which means they can be cross contaminated.) What are some other candy options? The Bay Area Allergy Advisory Board has a Peanut and Tree Nut Free Candy List Since son #2 is in college, he is WAY too old to Trick or Treat for Halloween, but I want to have some candy available when he comes home for Sunday dinners. I have to bribe him with something, right?!  What about the kids who have multiple food allergies and so they can't trick or treat? Where's the fun in that?! They need to enjoy Halloween too! Enter Food ...

Since all 3 of my kids inherited my asthma (sorry guys!) we have had LOTS of late nights/doctor visits/ER visits and hospitalizations. One of my last posts was about Kids in the Hospital I promised I would share the story about Kitty being in the hospital on her birthday.....so here goes.  Son #2 and Kitty both had pneumonia (again).  I mean - what else is there to do in winter?! Son #2 was admitted to the hospital the day before Kitty was and she was SO MAD that she had to be in the hospital again.  Sorry kid.  But there she was, the day before her 7th birthday. After were settled in her room and had her oxygen on, IV hooked up, and had met all of the nurses, I  realized I would have to cancel Kitty's birthday party for the next day.   We had a wonderful "Child Life Specialist" (CLS) in the hospital. She helps the kids play games, gives them donated blankets and stuffed animals, and generally tries to make the hospital a le...

Fun with what?   Vocal Chord Dysfunction (VCD)!  Did you know VCD is commonly mistaken for asthma? And just to confuse you a little more, there are people that can have asthma and VCD. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) list the following symptoms of VCD: Symptoms & Diagnosis Symptoms Symptoms of VCD can include: •    Difficulty breathing •    Coughing •    Wheezing •    Throat tightness •    Hoarse voice •    Voice changes Several months ago, Asthma Doc suspected VCD in daughter Kitty. (She also has asthma.) Sometimes, her throat feels "tight" (instead of her lungs feeling "tight".) Asthma Doc said the best treatment is speech therapy, but he couldn't find a speech therapist locally who specializes in VCD. I found one through our local hospital system and set an appointment. This week was her first appointment. Spe...