My Life as an Asthma Mom

    Needles.  Who really likes them?! I was at the lab getting some blood drawn when the tech asked me if I was okay. I said yes - needles are no big deal. I have had many surgeries, so needles are nothing compared to that!  But many people are REALLY scared of needles.  Years ago, I was at the lab waiting for a blood test, and saw a big, burly construction worker in front of me. Suddenly, I heard a thud and saw that he passed out - face first.  The lab worker was there alone and quickly yelled for me to grab smelling salts. After frantically searching the cupboard, I found them and tossed them to her. She held the smelling salts under his nose and then had me help lift him back into the chair. I was shocked at first, then had to stifle a giggle. Clearly this man had not had many surgeries, nor given birth 3 times...... Most moms have a lot of experience with medical procedures - including needles, epidurals, and c-sections. But you don't needles to treat a...

  Last week, our family of 5 all starting having problems with allergies ......already! It's mid February, and our usually snowy state has not been getting our usual snow storms. In fact, one of our storms went around us and ended up in Texas. They aren't used to the snow and most of Texas hasn't had power for days.  I guess they are all trying to keep warm, and that's straining the power system in Texas.   But our state is mostly dry and warm With the warm and dry temperatures here,  we are already having pollen.  I thought it was too early for pollen, but with an unseasonably warm and dry winter, spring has decided to arrive early. I could tell because all 5 of my family members (who live in different areas of the state) starting complaining about allergies the same week.  Hmmm When To Start On Allergy Meds   I was just listening to a national allergy and asthma webinar and the presenter said he tells his patients to start on allergy medici...

I was just chatting with a friend who said that the weirdest thing just happened. She was eating cherries and her lips started to tingle. She's worried that she is allergic to cherries now. I told her that it could be Oral Allergy Syndrome. She said, " what allergy what?" Oral Allergy Syndrome (also known as Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome) is when you are not only allergic to pollen from trees, weeds and grass - but also fruits and veggies that have a similar pollen. Still confused?   American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology explains how it works: Common pollen/fruit associations: Allergic to birch pollen? You could be allergic to: apple, almond, carrot, celery, cherry, hazelnut, kiwi, peach, pear, plum Allergic to Grass pollen?  You could be allergic to: celery, melons, oranges, peaches, tomato Allergic to ragweed?  You could be allergic to:  banana, cucumber, melons, sunflower seeds, zucchini Allergy & Asthma Network lists other things you can be...

Well, it's been over 20 years since my 3 kids and I were diagnosed with asthma, and it still rears it's ugly head at really bad times. Like this morning's commute! There I am, driving down a 5 lane road at 55 miles per hour and something got me. I have no idea what happened. Did I pass someone mowing their lawn? Was pollen drawn into my car with the other fresh air? All I know is that suddenly I felt that little twitch in my throat. Then it got worse. Then the coughing started. Drank water from my water bottle. Nope. Grabbed my inhaler and spacer from my purse (which I ALWAYS keep on the passenger seat next to me when I drive.) ** I do recommend pulling over to use your inhaler if you can. I was locked in on all sides with fast traffic and couldn't safely pull over on the shoulder at that speed without putting myself at risk** One puff. Wait a minute to see if that helps. Sigh. Eyes are watering, cough is getting worse. 2nd puff. Okay, I'm safely in the parking gara...

     With a family of 5, we find it helpful to shop at the warehouse store and buy in bulk.  I managed to pry Kitty and Son #2 off the computer to go with me. Lucky them, it was free sample day. I glanced at all the samples, none of them seemed a problem.  But I turned around to say something to one of the kids, and noticed Son #2 was about to put a piece of a granola bar/power bar in his mouth.  Picture me in slow motion waving my arms and running towards him, fixated on the sample nearing his mouth, yelling 'nooooooooooo!'  He was a little shocked, and quickly pulled the sample down from his mouth. I panted, 'did you check for tree nuts?'  We examined the bar, but couldn't tell if it had tree nuts. We went back to the vender, but she didn't know what was in the sample. How could she not know what she was serving?! I snatched the box to read the label, and sure enough - there was a tree nut allergy warning. That was a close call, Son #2 is usuall...

            It's a good thing we've taught #2 Son to carefully check labels. Last night, he went to get some ice cream after dinner, we had bought a ice cream with candy bars mixed in. It looked chocolately and delicious! He came into the living room, holding up the carton by one hand (like a waiter carrying a tray) and said, "good thing I just read the ingredients on this before I took a spoonful." Listed right there on the side were almonds, tree nuts!    His worst enemy.    Known to cause anaphylaxis for #2 Son. It didn't even dawn on me that a candy bar ice cream would have almonds. Some mom I am!There goes my Mother Of The Year Award (again) ha ha.    Ice cream with Snickers doesn't worry me because they're peanuts, but tree nuts mixed in candy bars are another story. Sure, I'm supposed to protect my kids, not buy something that is going to give them anaphylaxis. Although, come to think of it-Hubby was the one who picked o...

      Wow! Is anyone else having a hard time with allergies?!    Grass is in the "extra high" category right now - and I can tell!    Anytime I go outside, my nose stuffs up, I sneeze uncontrollably, my chest tightens up and I start coughing. Now the recurrent nose bleeds are starting thanks for nonstop sneezing. It's driving me crazy!    My yard is so pretty this time of year, my stress relief is to go outside and putter around in my flower bed. Pull a few weeds, water or trim.    The backyard has strings of lights going across the yard and it's beautiful to sit back there at night.    But the longer I sit outside, the worse I feel. I finally had to take my own advice and start showering at night. Our asthma and allergy specialist has always recommended this, and the kids shower every night.    Of course, their allergies are so bad that they're doing immunotherapy (allergy shots). If they don't shower at night, ...