Tuesday, April 24, 2007

No Results....It's Just the Beginning.

We took Kyla to the pediatrician for follow-up on her ER visit as well as for her well-baby check up. She's 24 lbs. (40th percentile) and 32.5 inches (95th percentile). So that means tall and thin.

She had one shot and she was pretty ticked about it but quickly forgave when the nurse gave her a toy turtle to take home (and one for sissy too!) The funniest part was when they were measuring her, Kyla is going through that typical toddler stage (they said kids usually do this between 18-24 months and I seem to remember McKenna did the same around this age) when she hates to be weighed and measured. She's in her "suspicious" stage. So she cried and refused to go to them. They had to weigh her with me and then weigh me and subtract my weight to find out how much she weighed. I had to hold her down so they could measure her height, etc. She cried and was so mad. But once the nurse finished and was leaving the room Kyla called out a polite "Tay too!" (Thank you). LOL! She's a funny kid.

Dr. Cater said it does indeed sound like a severe peanut allergy. *sigh* But of course he wants to know exactly what we're dealing with so we're to take her to the lab and have her tested for about 10 different food allergies. I don't know if they're doing the scratch test or a blood draw. My Dad has a severe shellfish allergy and Erick's Mom has a severe allergy to the protein in cow's milk. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised that at least one of our children will have a severe allergy as well. I won't even go into how depressed I feel from the internet research I've been doing on peanut allergies. I'll admit that I am both very sad and very much in denial. Maybe I wouldn't feel so sad if I didn't keep reading things like "I'm so sorry you're having to go through this" from other parents of kids with peanut allergies. It makes me feel like I'm about to embark on a very difficult journey! And the sad, frustrating stories of the extreme measures parents have to go through to protect their child from a peanut. A peanut for God's sakes! How can something so tiny put such a fear into a mother's heart!! I think that's why I'm in denial. It seems completely ridiculous that a stupid, tiny little peanut could ever have any sort of control over Kyla's life. The kid is strong! She's strong-willed, independent and I have seen her go through all sorts of painful ordeals and she's TOUGH. I just cannot imagine a peanut could actually harm her. I honestly feel like there is no way she can actually have a peanut allergy and I half expect them to tell me "She's fine. She was bit by a spider and that's what made her swell up.". Yet I saw how extreme her reaction was with the raspy breathing and the sneezing/coughing/swelling. Obviously all signs point to that damn peanut.

Anyway, I'm processing it in small doses because I refuse to completely process it until I know for sure what we're dealing with. Which is probably my own undoing. Maybe if I'd just accept it then I could go forward with the facts. I mean reality check here.....I know tons of people who have lived perfectly healthy lives with severe food allergies. Kyla is tough and doesn't let anything keep her down. We have an epi-pen in case of a life-threatening emergency. This is something we can control. There are much worse things that we could've had to deal with that would be beyond our control. So perspective is important here.

We're taking her in most likely tomorrow for the test and then it should be about 10 days before we get results. Please keep praying!

P.S. You'll be glad to know that big sister has made it her personal mission to be sure that Kyla does not eat anything that even remotely resembles a peanut and in fact will tell on her sister if she sees her eat something suspicious. Which came in handy today when Kyla tried to eat some of Grandma Jean's potpourri. LOL!!

2 comments:

Jen said...

Everythings will be fine with Kyla, God never gives people more than they can handle. I'll be praying.

Anonymous said...

Try not to worry too much about Kyla's allergy just yet. (I know, easier said than done). Wait until you get the results from the allergy testing. It could just be that she ate more peanuts than you realized and the reaction was so strong b/c of that. You are right, people live very healthy lives with severe allergies. And with McKenna on the job you will have an extra set of eyes watching Kyla. :) Prayers are still coming for you.