About a week ago we got the results from Bud & my allergy tests!
Drum Roll please.................
Bud is Allergic to Dairy!
I am Allergic to Shrimp & Dust Mites!
We figured Bud was sensitive to dairy so we have been watching his intake on dairy! He was off dairy for the most part for about a month before the blood drawn. And the nurse said He must stay away from ALL Dairy!
I never realized how many items have Dairy in them. Take a quick moment & go through some items in your pantry/fridge & see just how much dairy is in products! A friend of my mentioned that one particular fast food restaurant soaks their fries in milk before packaging! I had to do some research on my own so I checked the top 3 we usually go to when we are out & about.....They ALL soak their french fries in milk! Not only fries...but...chicken nuggets! Their buns also have milk in it! So that leaves apple slices & fruit cups! What a bummer!
The previous day My mom & I took the 3 littles (Bud, Rhiannon & Jakob) to Red Robin, we were meeting a friend for lunch! I thought over what I was going to have bud eat. I picked chicken fingers, french fries & he picked mandarin oranges. I also asked for ranch for dipping sauce. I realized he couldn't have ranch so gave him honey mustard (Bud said, "I do not like that at all!"). I thought I did good. But, when a friend mentioned milk soaked in fries...I HAD to check Red Robins menu....WELL...I FAILED. Everything BUT the mandarin oranges had dairy in it!!!!!!!!!!! =(
- Side note....Red Robin has this neat tool---Interactive Allergen Menu! You can select Any allergen you want to avoid..and it pops up things you can eat! Check it out! It is sooo cool!
I do not think they tested if Bud was allergic to rice because usually rice is a "neutral" food that ANYONE can handle. Chris was thinking back...and made a good point. Usually every time he has had rice in the past...it Has been with dairy! So..it could have just been the dairy all along! So, next week Rhiannon has her yearly check up with the Dr. I am going to see if they checked rice. If not, Chris wants bud's body to have a chance to "heal" (at least a full month being off ALL dairy) before we give him just plain rice & see how he does with that!
Me.....Well Shrimp....I googled allergy to shrimp and this is what google came up with....Allergy to Shellfish! Kind of works well for me...because I have never been a fan of...Seafood! Now, Chris will stop trying to make me eat it! LOL! He said, "Now you have an excuse! You can say it can potentially kill me!"
Dust Mites....I thought No Big Deal! I keep my house clean (or at least try to-my children keep me on my toes). I read online that you should start cleaning where you sleep because that is usually where you spend most of your time. Our headboard is dusty. I started cleaning it & became light headed, dizzy & started over heating! YIKES! I stepped away! I started looking around my house...I have VERY TALL Ceilings...places I can not reach. They are dusty. Lots of cob webs! Maybe...just maybe...that is why I do not feel very well at random times. When I do not feel well that effects the way I eat & my energy levels! Maybe my house is making me not feel well!
I instantly became overwhelmed! There is so much to do! I need a mask to clean! Chris said he had some in the garage....I asked if they were covered in dust?! He said Yes! And Spiders too! I said I do not care about spiders! He said...welll Dust mites are like little baby spiders...! So I am allergic to Dust & Spiders. Then....I said, "See I Told you! I AM Allergic to Cleaning!!! LOL We had a great laugh!
So, I need a mask....I need to remind chris about the mask. Then I need to start in my room then make my way out! I also need to buy a new pillow...it is recommended to buy a new pillow every 3 years..I have had mine for....well more then that...BUT IT IS THE BEST PILLOW EVER! I do not want to give it up! LOL! Have you ever had a pillow like that?! I also have to buy a cover for my pillow! A plastic cover?! ECCCKKK!!!! =(
Chris does not like when I wash the bedding a lot (more then once a month). But, thinking back, I always feel so much better with freshly washed bedding! So, I will be doing that MORE often....hey...I have a good excuse now!
We have had our Dyson vacuum for almost 5 years now. It is pretty much giving up. Chris has had his eye on an Animal Dyson Vacuum...which is Exactly the vacuum you need for someone with allergies like mine! So...I will be completely happy with getting a brand new vacuum for my 5 year anniversary! ;) Chris was....happy to hear that! He has been wanting to buy a vacuum but has been waiting until I mentioned it! He was even more happy when I told him he could buy that for my birthday, anniversary or christmas! LOL!!!!!
I am beginning to recognize when I am having a "reaction" to something...which is nice! So, now I can remove myself from a "situation". I do not like causing a scene so I often sit quietly when something is "bugging" me. I thought I may have had a reaction at someone's house but thought it was all in my head. Another friend of mine just found out she is allergic to dust mites & her children are too so they have dealt with "purging" & she recognizes things. I told her my "situation" and she said, "yep, reaction...very classic."
It was mind--boggling! I just could not believe it! But, it is a good thing! Because like I said I can remove myself from a "situation". If I recognize when I am having a reaction, I can avoid things & hopefully start feeling better & get better!
Please pray for us! Pray for Bud's body to start healing. Pray that he stays encouraged. He has been a little down because we have had to remove almost all his favorite foods from his diet! I have surprised him with some special treats that he CAN have. Which just encouraged & uplifted him! He is beginning to ask if he can have things. He always asks if things are rice free. But, I am just trying to train him to ask if things are dairy free. Like I said there are A LOT of items with dairy in it that you wouldn't imagine that they would contain dairy!
Pray that I keep a clear mind when I am preparing meals. I have been double checking everything...EVERY INGREDIENT. And....practically EVERY recipe I have...contains DAIRY! So, this past week has been pretty challenging for me! No butter...no margarine...no sour cream...no milk...no cream cheese...no cheese...no good stuff ;)
As I begin to find DAIRY FREE recipes I will load them up onto my "recipe blog". I am usually pretty good at "converting" recipes. But, it has been a little hard....not being able to use butter! I will hopefully be going to Central Market & Trader Joes to see if I can find some dairy free cooking essentials!
Pray also that I can....begin to purge items and..."deep clean". And have enough energy to do it...without having any "reactions". I am really not looking forward....to this...which is why it is not done yet! =/ I know bad me!
