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I know it's kind of sad that she's 7 and never done that before, but I knew you all would understand!View Thread
I feel like I'm always buying her new bracelets!View Thread
How is summer treating everybody?View Thread
Looks like there has been lots of activity on the board. I'll have to check up on posts later today.View Thread
So the health director wrote out the district's allergy policy as a draft and we all went over it page by page and made changes and raised new points, then they will forward it to the board etc. We were no more than advisors but it was a long and fascinating conversation and I think they learned a lot from hearing from families who live with it.
We managed to get a few things put in there that will make life a lot easier, like having schools post ingredient lists from any food that is served during after-school activities like carnivals (what's in that hot dog bun? I have crawled behind vendor tables and swiped packaging to find out - now I don't have to, they'll post it so we can all see it - that will be a huge benefit for us). And getting kids to wash or wipe their hands AFTER lunch as well as before - they did not know that antimicrobial gels do not get rid of allergens, so when the health director brought that up everyone freaked out because that's how they had been doing it after lunch - now they'll have kids wash or use wipes to clean their hands. And the staff training will be much more extensive and include people like trainers on athletic teams, bus drivers, steady substitute teachers, everyone they can think of who will come into contact with the kids. DD's principal asked if I wanted to attend the trainings to see what they were like and add what I wanted and I said sure so I'll be doing that too. I've got my big nose into all of it lol.
So it's not perfect but I think the policy is the absolute best we are going to get for now. Assuming it does not get completely butchered before it passes (which let's face it is likely). The training alone will be a huge benefit for everyone and the hand-washing too, so we'll see what we end up with. Overall I'm really impressed with this district and DD"s chances of surviving till graduation.View Thread
Anyway....we were given the ok to slowly reintroduce baked egg products. The doctor said no homemade pancakes, waffles, french toast, etc but this means no more sprite cupcakes!!
I am praying within a few years we will be able to have this conversation about peanuts
and hopefully your kids will be able to eat whatever they are allergic to.....View Thread
Lily's school principal called and asked me to serve on a committee with her and the school district's attorney (and others I'm sure) to write the allergy policy for the district going forward. So I'm looking forward to that, Lord knows I have opinions about the topic and someone is actually asking to hear them which is a miracle.
Hope you guys are doing well and enjoying the summer heat! I have found that running is OK in 90* weather, but over that it is tooooo hard. So I will probably have to take up an indoor activity soon.View Thread
Are you excited for the appointment, or totally dreading it?View Thread
Peanut AllergiesWhen you notify us that you have a peanut allergy, we'll create a buffer zone of three rows in front of and three rows behind your seat. Effective on flights operating June 1, 2012 and beyond, when you notify us that you have a peanut allergy, we'll refrain from serving peanuts and peanut products onboard your flight. We'll also advise cabin service to board additional non-peanut snacks, which will allow our flight attendants to serve these snack items to everyone within this area.
Gate agents will be notified in case you'd like to pre-board and cleanse the immediate seating area. We'll do everything we can, but unfortunately we still can't guarantee that the flight will be completely peanut-free.
View Thread
Now I feel like I can relax for a couple months. Until it's time to start all over again.....
How many more days for your DC?View Thread
It's gluten free, peanut free, and tree nut free. They also sell things that are free from all the major allergens.
Guess what else they had??? They had commercially prepared tree nut free granola bars. Woo hoo! Now, I don't know if Emily will like them, but at least she can have a chance to try them.
I took her there last Friday, and she thought it was the best place ever. She was jumping up and down, clapping her hands because she got to pick out whatever she wanted. She had never been to a bakery before, and she loved it. They have a chocolate chunk cake that is excellent.
I ordered a cake for a baby shower I am throwing next weekend. It's going to be so awesome to have Emily be able to eat the same thing as everyone else.View Thread
And doesn't that seem like a whole lot of responsibility for a 5-year old, to turn down candy from a friend because it may hurt her? How do I raise her to be safe without making her terrified of food and the people who offer it? ....maybe I should just homeschool. This is just so freaking hard...View Thread
http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2012/04/27/virginia-enacts-stock-epinephrine-law-to-help-protect-students-with-allergies/View Thread
I chose the Professional's Choice Comprehensive Plus Testing. It tested: 234 foods, 60 enviromental chemicals, 28 molds, 45 additives/preservatives, 20 F, D & C color additives and 14 toxic minerals/metals.
The test was very beneficial to us and helped us to understand why I can't eat so many foods. Also left us a little overwhelmed with how crazy do you get eliminating things and changing your life. I obviously elminated any foods that trigger my asthma, but other things are tough. The other challenge is that my reaction may be delayed by hours or days. In the past my reactions were within an hour.
Bad thing is the lab that processes the test does not accept insurance, so it is out of pocket. I have submitted a bill to my insurance but haven't heard anything yet.
Hopefully this information may help one of you.
DebbieView Thread
I recently had the ELISA blood test done and found that I had a strong reaction to lemons (among many other things). I know to not ingest anything with lemon or it's oil. But do I need to stay away from cleaning products with lemongrass used as a fragrance?
My symptoms: rash, voice change, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Thank you for you rhelp.
DebbieView Thread
Is it going to be hard to transition the allergy-friendly cooking over to DH?View Thread
I miss the days when we could just open a window and not worry about any allergies. Everything I've heard lately has been saying we are in for a bad allergy season this Spring. Fun, fun times.....View Thread
What are some good substitutes for dairy? I want to try a dairy elimination for headaches, but I am vegetarian and I am vitamin D deficient and concerned with getting enough vitamin D, calcium, and iron. I can easily switch soy milk for cow milk, but what are some replacements for yogurt and cheese so I can be sure to get all the protein and calcium and vitamins I need? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!View Thread
I hate having her on medicine every day, and I know she is needs more. I just hate thinking about any side effects these meds could be having. I know -- wah, wah, wah. It's better than the alternative. And, at least I know she won't have to be skin tested!!!
View Thread

We were in charge of sweets for DDs class. I don't mind at all being the class baker because then I know we are safe. LIke I posted elsewhere, DD didn't get to go to school today but we saved some cookies for home.View Thread
Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the boards lately. Things have been a bit hectic. I hope everyone has been well and free of major reactions!View Thread
I sent an email to her teacher telling her what happened and emphasizing that I expected Lily to be sent to the nurse the minute she made any such complaint, and I expected the subs to be well-informed about the situation ahead of time. Her teacher wrote back and was horrified, said she would make sure that sub was never put in her room again, and she would talk to Lily to reassure her that she did the right thing. I know her regular teacher never would have reacted that way but this is the kind of thing that keeps me up at night...View Thread
http://www.premiumchocolatiers.com/
If anyone has tried any AF chocolates, please share!View Thread
http://rootsandwingsco.blogspot.com/
I've been surfing it and it looks like these are moms of kids with autism, EE, and other issues...so they blog about food allergies and restricted diets, and having kids who are a little different. It's interesting. Check it out!View Thread
I used to love eating junk and watching the game...so I went shopping looking for something fun we could eat on the couch while it was on. I have to admit, I really got nostalgic for the days when I could pick up the phone and order a pizza without feeling like a bad mom. Chips and queso dip, pizza, mozzarella sticks, nacho cheese Doritos....all yummy junky football food, off limits. Such a bummer. It used to be so easy.
So, Sunday DH and I are eating frozen pizza (yuck) or if we can figure out the timing ordering one, and the kids get AF pizzas made on flour tortillas. (We call the quesapizzas, because they usually prefer chicken and soy cheese on an open tortilla - like an open-faced quesadilla). We hardly ever eat cheesy things like pizza anymore because it seems kinda rude to DD but she'll probably let it slide.
I'd love to hear what you guys are eating. Debbie - are you a fan? Going anywhere to watch?View Thread
Today, they served a brownie with her lunch. Emily asked the lunch lady if it was OK for her to eat. It turns out it was not ("it came from a nut factory," as Emily put it). She went to the nut free table, and the lunch lady then checked the other kids' lunches there.
I am so proud of Emily for being so responsible. (And yes, I'm beating myself up about the things that could have gone wrong.) But, mostly, very proud of my girl!View Thread
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