Tag Archive: peanut

I was really looking forward to CB’s pre-k and HB’s mother’s day out program starting up so the kiddos would get back into their new routine. The summer chaos had settled in and there was no question that a routine would be great for all of us. CB had a lot of therapy changes and some additions so I was anticipating how it would all go. All of the new changes seemed like wonderful enhancements to CB’ learning and development. And you know what, the new routine and programs have been fantastic for CB. He is progressing well and has been playing with HB better than ever. So, the big question is, why is this tough for me? All this positivity should be beaming directly into my being and helping me to shine, as well. Unfortunately, this has not been the case.

Part of the matter boils down to me not taking better care of myself and another part is what to do with some added no kid time? I haven’t put any focus on either of these. I therefore have not eaten great in between shuffling the kiddos everywhere and have filled my free time w/frivolous things. I just finding myself not wanting to do anything when I have a free moment. You always hear about classes, articles, presentations, and on and on about how parents and especially parents with children with special needs need to make sure to take care of themselves and to make it a priority. Honestly, when you are in the thick of it and are feeling weighed down. The thought of taking care of yourself and making it a priority just sounds like work and more stress.

The realization that more needs to be done to take care of myself should help motivate me to get back on at least a somewhat regular exercise schedule and to make lunch meal prep for me, as well, a necessity. I think I just need to fill my cup up a bit more so I will have more to offer. It is probably not a bad idea to start periodically thinking about how I will want to fill my time next year when CB is in kinder and HB is in a mother’s day out program 3 days a week. That has also seemed stressful, but I think it is mostly related to perspective. I just need a new plan :).

CORRECTION STATED BELOW – So, we got further confirmation that CB in fact does have a peanut allergy. The IGE allergy testing he had done a few months back indicated he could have a peanut allergy as the numbers were slightly elevated. We have stayed mostly away from peanuts since the test. Well, last weekend, while out of town at the beach, CB ate a bunless burger with fries, pickles, some raw onions, and some bites of tomato. We knew the burger and fries were cooked in peanut oil, which seemed weird but we thought we would try it. Partway through the meal, I noticed CB’s cheeks were bright red and he had what looked like a big pimple forming on his chin just below his mouth. His lips also looked like they might be a little swollen. Since he had been at the beach, I wasn’t 100% sure if the cheeks were turning red b/c of the food or the sun. I really thought the redness was more apparent and didn’t remember the blemish. We set the food aside and gave him some food we had packed as back-up. We thought this could be related to the vinegar in the pickles b/c he is sometimes getting swollen lips from those, from the peanut oil, or from some other ingredient we didn’t even know about. Two nights ago, during dinner, CB had some thai spring rolls in peanut sauce. He got that same enlarged pimple/blemish. Guess we will keep that off the food list for now.

Diet/Nutrition Update: CB also started GSE (grape seed extract) a few days ago to help treat the yeast in his belly and a new probiotic w/30 billion active cultures (Ultimate Flora Extra Care Probiotic Supplement). We are also periodically giving him some dairy with no noticeable changes.

9/23/2015 UPDATE/CORRECTION: Yah, CB’s allergic reactions appeared to be peanut related, but they were reactions to the already known allergy, soy. The peanut sauce for the spring rolls had soy sauce in it. I can’t believe we weren’t thinking about that when we got it. The restaurant that said they cooked their burgers and fries in peanut oil were incorrect. I called them back and they double-checked the oil. It was vegetable oil with soybeans in it. It is so hard to really know what you are eating when you eat out. The cooks didn’t even know what they were using and then just guessed and guessed wrong.  I was so concerned we were going to have to start carrying around an epi pen and start having to worry about peanut exposure, as well, whew. It is nice to have one less thing to worry about for now.