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My Second born…FIRST!

03 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by sunconnor in Family, Food Allergies, Ramblings

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Tags

2nd pregnancy, attachment parenting, Austin, born first, Costa Rica, food allergies, Health, only child, parenting, parenting challenges, second, sibling, spirited child, struggle, temperament

One morning 7 ½ years ago, I felt a sharp cramp in my abdomen as I lay in bed.  Unusual as I never get menstrual cramps.  I remember my eyes were closed…then I realized something.  I hadn’t had my period.  I jumped up and drove to Walgreens in my PJ’s to buy a pregnancy test.  Five minutes after returning to our apartment, I received the shock of my life….I was indeed pregnant!  I can still recall the nervous/exciting feeling I had.  I drove to my then fiancé’s job to tell him – he was happy, but also shocked.

In my 20s, I opted for apartment living and declared that I wouldn’t have kids – but, there I was…knocked up, expecting my first child in 8 months.

We announced the pregnancy to the masses after the 1st trimester.  We’d previously planned a destination wedding…mermaid style wedding dress, etc.  I was unable to return the dress, so at 6 months of pregnancy I had the dress altered – we stuck to the plans and married in Costa Rica.  A few months later, I found a day care and I was grateful for my then employer’s willingness to allow flexible hours after my expected return to work.

All was planned – then came the baby…

It was the Friday before my impending due date.  At this point, I’m still working in the office.  My thoughts were to continue until my due date which would allow more time saved to utilize after he was born.  It was the end of summer and most of my colleagues were out of office, on vacation, etc.  I felt fine as I sat at my desk quietly working…until my boss walked over to check on me.  “Sun, you ok over there?” she asked.  “Yes!” I replied and chuckled.  And that was it.  I immediately began to feel fluid leaking uncontrollably from my body.  I snuck out of the back door to the hallway, then into the bathroom.  As I stood in the stall in my dress and flip flops, I realized there’d be no way to be discrete about it.  I walked back into the office, called the nurse who said that if I weren’t in pain- it was fine to drive myself to the hospital.

I remember the sudden shock of it all…I called my boss on the phone and said, “I’m leaving!”  Nothing else.. no, “Hey, my water just broke!”

I was freaking out, but calm at the same time.  I called my husband who also left work to grab my hospital bag from home.  I checked in at the hospital, then handed my birth plan to the nurse.  BIRTH PLAN – what a waste!  I was soon given Pitocin and went downhill from there.  I labored through the night, fully dilated and ready to push the following morning – but, he wouldn’t budge.  After 3 hours of pushing, the baby was distressed and an emergency c-section was ordered.

At 10:41 am that morning my son was born.  I was initially told that he wasn’t breathing – I immediately stopped breathing.  Then I heard him cry and was overwhelmed with fear, happiness, and anxiety…all the perfect ingredients to an ugly cry which my husband unknowingly caught on camera.

So, that’s the beginning…almost 7 years ago.  His entrance into the world nearly scared the “B’JEEZUS” out of me…It should’ve been a telltale of what’s to come.  I remember initially thinking we’d have 2-3 kids….2-3 years apart.  NOT!

Once he was cleared in NICU, he roomed with me the rest of our stay.  I stared at him the entire time in awe and disbelief.  “I’m a mother.” I remember thinking.  Back in my 20s, I declared that I wouldn’t have kids, so that may have had something to do with the mere shock of it all.  He was jaundiced and my milk took a few days to come in, but it did and we were released after five days to begin our new life with a baby!

Although it was a huge adjustment – we were both thrilled.  He was a spunky and energetic kid from the very beginning.  As a babe he’d move constantly and loathed baby slings/carriers. And I tried a few.  He didn’t sleep much at night…which lasted two years.  He began walking at nine months, so no rest during the day either!  At a month, he began to show signs of food allergies/eczema which was unbeknownst to us at the time.  (but, probably had a lot to do with his sleeping issues)  After the first year, I had removed the top 8 allergens from my diet in order to continue breastfeeding him and ease the eczema.  As I mentioned, we were NEW to food allergies – we initially didn’t get what all the fuss was about…until I gave him a store bought snack.  I placed him in his highchair and thought I’d get a little work done on my computer.  Shortly after, he broke out in hives and began scratching at his neck. I jumped up, ran into the kitchen for Benadryl and water.  I gave him both and he began to calm down.  We immediately took him into the doctor who referred us to an allergist.  THAT’S when we learned about his multiple food allergies (Peanut, Dairy, Egg and Wheat) Oh man!  I thought, “What will he eat?”  At this point, he wasn’t in daycare yet and now the thought of enrolling him terrified me.  We were on several waiting lists and planned to enroll him after his 2nd birthday.

ISOLATON began…

I then went on a mission to find foods that were SAFE for him to eat.  Everyone I told – couldn’t relate to how I felt because most kids can eat anything- no problemo. There was a Natural Grocers recently built near my job, so I ventured there first with questions.  So glad I did.  They just happened to have a nutritionist who helped me with food allergy friendly foods, non-dairy milk and the local food allergy group, Austin Families with Food Allergies.  It was great.  I didn’t feel alone in this….The nutritionist, Trevida Trevino helped with the food related issues and the group shared their stories and experiences which made me more receptive to send him to the Montessori school we’d planned for him to attend. Our social life took a huge ding as we’re constantly watching him to ensure he doesn’t get into foods he can’t eat.  I remember travelling to visit friends and family members often…over the years that decreased.  Just out of pure exhaustion.  Trying to “catch up” with an old friend while watching a toddler – didn’t work.  As much as people would ask about him out of concern – they’d still offer him food that wasn’t safe for him.  It’s the labelling….I never knew all of the different names for dairy, wheat and gluten products until Danny’s diagnosis.  Who knew certain candy could have traces of peanut and/or dairy??  When I began reading labels, I was introduced to the many names for his allergens as well as the unsurmountable amount of chemicals listed.  Once again…this did affect our lifestyle in a huge way.  Our grocery bill doubled and I looked at the processed foods at parties and get togethers differently.  Now, I think back to the times of spontaneity.  When we’d go places, road trips, eat out at restaurants.  I meet friends occasionally for lunch, but eating feels different.  I feel the social aspect of it has been taken away thus isolating our family.  Over time it did cause friction in our marriage as we seemed to be more confined to our house – more than usual.

All was well, until…

I took their advice and made info sheets for church, babysitters and the Montessori with his photo, list of food allergies, medical and contact information.  My little social butterfly LOVED the Montessori and made new friends.  The teachers and administrators were extremely cooperative and concerned about his safety – which made it a little easier to leave him there.  We had a routine going he enjoyed his time there at the school and I’d receive notifications regarding upcoming holiday/birthday parties.  This allowed me time to plan for possible alternative snacks and desserts to bring to the festivities.  My son progressed into a little talking toddler with friends or “best buddies” as he’d refer to them.  I’d periodically get a phone call during the day in which I’d leave work because his eye would mysteriously swell or some other allergy related symptom.  I’d take him into the doctor’s office – they’d reassure me that it wasn’t food, but environmental.  He’d also, like other kids have his round of illnesses.  But, two months before his 3rd birthday he was ill with high fevers and cough – all week.  He was misdiagnosed earlier in the week (with hand, foot and mouth disease) – which resulted in a 3 day hospital stay.  He was diagnosed with pneumonia with asthma complications.  Yes, it was official – he also had asthma.  One more thing to add to the list.  I was beside myself.  I was scared, upset, furious with the doctor who misdiagnosed his illness and most of all terrified for him.  I thought about all the doctor visits he’d had since he was born…now one more thing.  By the end of this, I’d lost my voice.  Not from screaming or crying, but from a lack of sleep.  It was a long week of spiked temps and coughing all night.  Looking back, I realize I need to take care of myself…but, it was the farthest thing from my mind at the time.

After he was discharged, we switched pediatricians and we were referred to a pulmonologist.  My then, 3 year old now took asthma meds daily to control asthma symptoms…we also have an allergist for annual visits.  Two years ago, he took a baked egg challenge in the office and passed it!  So, instead of the egg replacer we’d usually use to bake bread, we can use eggs!  A little progress!  We’ve continued to seek advice from the nutritionist at Natural Grocers.  Initially, we had problems getting him to eat any protein.  Around 4 years old, he was referred to an endocrinologist after an annual wellness visit.  The pediatrician noticed a possible stint in growth that year.  I actually noticed it, as well.  I’m usually really laid back, but after the visit with the endocrinologist followed by the nutritionist (who said his diet was carb filled)…I went home and put my foot down.  I was no longer working full time, so my focus was his diet.  I prepared grass-fed meats, organic fruits and vegetables.  I told him this was all we had…Boy, did that go over well!  Ha!  Was it easy?  Of course not.  The first month was extremely difficult – he was used to eating his usual carb filled diet- but, he eventually cooperated and 4 years later, still going strong!

This kid….

He LOVES life!  My extremely extroverted, adventurous, babe.  He makes me and others around him laugh when he’s around.  I think about his natural ability to pull others in and realize his high energy and huge personality is a good thing.  I know I’m a worry wart because of all the health challenges, but he has lots of fun in spite of it all.

His diet’s better.  He loves to hangout with friends, play with superhero/ transformer action figures and of course LEGOS and MINECRAFT on his iPad.

When I was pregnant, we entertained the idea of 2-3 kids, but then I found myself at lunch with friends and colleagues referring to him as my “TwoFer…” – my two for 1.  He has all the common temperaments of a second child: wild child, outspoken, high maintenance, LOVABLE, and a little prankster!  After everything, my husband and I didn’t talk about another kid.  Then in January 2014, I had stomach pains and decided to make an appointment.  Why?  Well, a week prior to that I’d eaten some of my husband’s ice cream…no biggy..  It’s just that I hadn’t eaten any dairy products in awhile…which made me ponder the idea of being lactose intolerance or another possible issue.  After my doctor’s visit I received a referral to see a gastroenterologist.  An hour later, I’m in the line at Jumpoline, the nearest trampoline park.  I open my wallet to pay and my phone rang.  “We apologize for the phone call…we wish we could’ve caught you before you left.  Please cancel the referral [to the gastroenterologist]…you’re PREGNANT!  They went onto explain the next steps but, I didn’t/couldn’t get passed the “you’re pregnant” part.  I stood there for about 5 minutes holding the phone to my ear in one hand and a five dollar bill in the other.  Once I finally paid, I sat down and watched my son jump…up and down, up and down – in shock!  My first thoughts were, “Am I capable of doing it again?”

First born, second

After a few months had gone by – TIME helped make it more of a reality.  Time and speed walks helped me deal with it all.  We learned we were having another boy.  The kid was surprisingly excited about it and upon learning he sex of the baby I also learned my husband secretly wanted a girl.  I remember thinking, “Two wild childs??!?!?”  Not sure how I’d manage…but, then he was born.   He looked exactly like and reminded me of my first.  EXCEPT – he has this calmness about him.  I can recall telling a close friend of mine years ago, that I’m not sure if I can love another kid as much as I do my first son, but-

I see I can, I will, I AM in love all over again.

Food Allergy fatalities…

11 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Austin Families with Food Allergies, FARE, food allergies, food allergiy deaths, Food Allergy, food allergy research & education, parents

This is why I hover…that is all.

This is FARE's list of reported (and confirmed) food allergy deaths within the last 20 months.

This is FARE’s list of reported (and confirmed) food allergy deaths within the last 20 months. http://www.foodallergy.org

My ADVENTUROUS 5 year old ziplined for the first time this month!

20 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by sunconnor in Austin Adventures, Food Allergies

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Tags

5 year olds, adventure, Austin Families with Food Allergies, boys, children, food allergies, high energy, kids, Killeen, Peaceable Kingdom, Retreat, Texas, Zip line, zipline

Earlier this month we attended the annual Food Allergy Retreat at Peaceable Kingdom hosted every year by the Austin Families with Food Allergies.   It’s always a treat to connect with other families with food allergies within the community.   Every year our son has enjoyed the kiddie obstacle courses, theater, archery, arcade room and other amenities. This year was different.

Instead of our usual routine of connecting with the 5 and under crowd – the kid asked if he could join the “BIG BOY” group.  Initially, I was a little hesitant…but, realized my bravehearted son has always been FEARLESS.  So, I asked a staff member if we could give it a try and the rest, shall we say, is history!

Looking up at the rock wall before climbing, FOCUSED!

IMAG3452       DSC_0166     IMAG3455    DSC_0182   IMAG3454

The kid climbing the 40 foot rock wall to get to the 175 foot zip line.

IMAG3457    DSC_0192    DSC_0191

Video of of the kid zip lining. He had a a blast! 🙂

 

Travel checklist with food allergies

25 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies, Travel

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Allergies, Allergy, asthma, Benadryl, children, christmas, Conditions and Diseases, eczema, epipen, FARE, Food, food allergies, Food Allergy, foodallergy, grandparents house, Health, holiday, holiday season, holidays, Home, kid with food allergies, kitchen sink, travel

155801_4964868757859_166030356_n

Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS EVE we decided to spend Xmas day with the in-laws.  Although staying home would’ve been easier, the kid loves it there and it’s been our usual “thing” for years now.  With travel, comes packing…and ever since we received the multiple food allergy diagnosis, we usually pack –

EVERYTHING, BUT THE KITCHEN SINK!

kitchen_sink

Hundreds of miles from home – we tend to overpack!  (see below)

  • Epipens **
  • QVAR inhaler
  • Albuterol **
  • Nebulizer with mask **
  • Allegra
  • Benadryl **
  • Vitamin drops
  • Cherry bark cough syrup **
  • Gummy bear vitamins
  • Sambucas
  • loaf of freshly baked (food allergy friendly) bread
  • coconut butter and strawberry fruit preserve
  • fresh fruit
  • frozen broccoli
  • natural pork chops – cooked
  • organic cranberry sauce
  • animal crackers
  • sandwich cookies
  • lollipops **
  • underclothes
  • shirts
  • pants
  • light jacket
  • heavy coat **
  • hat **
  • car activities
  • coloring books
  • reading books
  • crayons
  • iPad
  • blanket
  • tot sleeping cot
    **you know….just in case.

    OH!  and for us???  A small bag with changing clothes and toiletries.  I also juiced before leaving, so I brought along my own veggie juice!

THIS IS FOR 3 DAYS!!

Related articles

  • When in Doubt, Give Epinephrine (health.usnews.com)
  • Food allergies can be fatal (goerie.com)
  • Food Allergy Research & Education Announces Partnership with ResearchMatch To Help Connect Patients with Food Allergy Research Studies (prweb.com)
  • Surviving the Holidays With Allergies (freshwaddabrooks.com)

Here’s a brief summary on my intro into the food allergy world…

28 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies

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Tags

Allergen, Allergies, Allergy, Austin, baked egg challenge, breast milk, chronic diseases, Conditions and Diseases, Danny, egg allergy, Food, food allergies, Food Allergy, Health, leaky gut, lieberman, Natural Grocers, No Gmo, no sneezes, sensitive child, Sun Connor, sun in austin, Texas

Back in 2009, at the tender age of 11 months, my tenacious, adorably cute son was diagnosed with food allergies by his doctor. Mind you, they discovered this after I had already removed the top 8 allergens from my diet. He was reacting to my breast milk of all things. Severe eczema, recurrent ear infections and acid reflux issues had us at the doctor’s office quite often during the first year of my son’s life. I became adamant about finding the root cause of all of my son’s health issues.

We were referred to allergist, Dr. Lieberman who diagnosed our son with dairy, peanut, egg, and wheat allergies. We got a diagnosis of asthma two years later. Dr. Lieberman told us to remove all peanut butter products from our home. It terrified me to think that something my husband and I enjoyed could make my son really sick. I learned to spot hidden food allergens and read nutrition labels more closely. At night, I would read about anaphylaxis and food allergies. While I was going through all of this, I did not have anyone around me that understood what we were dealing with.

I started going to Vitamin Cottage’s Natural Grocers religiously to find stuff Danny could eat. I met with our helpful nutritionist, Trevida Trevino to discuss allergy friendly meal options. She suggested many helpful things including finding a local food allergy group on meetup.com. I met some wonderful ladies that helped me manage my son’s food allergies like Stephanie Miller, Beth Martinez, and many other moms who were dealing with similar situations. I am so thankful for all of the advice and support I have received from the ladies in this group. It truly does take a village, especially when you are dealing with a child with food allergies.
BTW, my son has a “baked egg challenge” this morning…say a prayer, cross your fingers and toes!

 

About Me?

Nah…it’s bigger than that.

This blog will of course be filled with random thoughts, trips around Austin and of course…FOOD ALLERGY related content.

Related articles
  • Food Allergy Facts (nutallergycomm.wordpress.com)
  • The New Thinking on Allergens (plumorganics.com)
  • Bullied With Food: Another Risk For Kids With Food Allergies (npr.org)
  • Top 10 Food Allergy Misconceptions (expertspages.com)
  • Viaskin ‘Peanut Patch’ Could Be The Answer To Peanut Allergies In Children (medicaldaily.com)

Chef Alain Braux’s new cookbook, Living Gluten and Dairy-Free with French Food

18 Saturday May 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Recipes and Reviews

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

ADHD, Allergy, anemia, Autism, Chef Alain Braux, Coeliac disease, Eating, fatigue, Food, food allergies, Food Allergy, Gluten, Gluten-free diet, Grocery store, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, special diet, Sun Connor, sun in austin, thyroid

Let me start by saying that I am not the easiest eater.  My food allergic son’s also selective about what he eats.   I have a gluten sensitivity and I generally don’t have any interest in bread, cheese and milk.  I also try to avoid red meat.  We buy mostly organic and enjoy drinking fresh orange or green juice.  I cook with coconut and olive oils.  So because I do the majority of the grocery shopping and cooking in my house, my family ends up eating similarly.   Will my husband eat regular frozen pizza and milk?  Does my son eat cookies and occasional treats?  Obviously.  Will I have a meltdown if they do?  Of course not!

Earlier this year, I received Chef Alain Braux’s new cookbook, Living Gluten and Dairy-Free with French Food.  It has become my “go to” in such a short period of time.  It’s a fantastic book for anyone who has  food allergies, gluten intolerance or celiac disease, or for someone looking to understand and educate themselves around whether they may have one of these conditions.  The book is written by a phenomenal French chef, who shares with his readers how to enjoy cooking and eating regardless of their dietary restrictions.  His mission in this book is clear: to ensure that his readers understand that a special diet does not mean they should ever feel restricted from enjoying delicious meals.

Chef Alain Braux’s writing style comes across as genuine and full of personality, making the non-recipe portions of the book a pleasure to read.  Sensitive to gluten himself, he can easily relate to his readers, understand their dietary restrictions and associated struggles, and ultimately help better their daily eating experience.

The book begins by discussing Gluten and Dairy dietary restrictions and how these intolerances or sensitivities become apparent, and tapping in to personal accounts of various people regarding their own personal experiences with food intolerances, allergies and sensitivities.  He carefully touches upon what people with such dietary situations might experience including behavioral problems, feeling ill and bloated, and addresses the issue around the problems with self-diagnosis versus having a specialist examine one’s situation.  Braux also ensures that his readers have a thorough understanding of each condition, what it means, and what potential causes are.  He takes a responsible approach in giving all of the necessary background information that a reader needs to make a smart decision in whether or not they should seek medical attention to validate or disprove their dietary condition concerns.

Braux gives recommendations throughout the book that teach readers how to live with their dietary restrictions including how to organize their kitchens, what key ingredients to stock up on, and how to tweak their favourite recipes to meet their dietary needs.  Furthermore, he explores lifestyle tricks to help readers when eating outside of the home and grocery shopping.

Lastly, of course, the book outlines all sorts of delicious foods and recipes that readers can prepare that fall within the guidelines of their dietary restrictions.  There is an extremely wide assortment of tasty options from sweets to meats that would satisfy any craving one might have.  As you can imagine, being a French chef, Braux has significant expertise in preparing fine foods and shares decadent yet practical recipes for creating culinary delights.  I was born and raised in New Orleans, so I was excited to see French cuisine recipes specifically for people with food allergies.

This book literally teaches its readers everything that they need to know to live and eat happily with a gluten and dairy-free diet.  From how to understand their condition, to lifestyle changes, to cooking amazing meals, this is an extremely comprehensive guide for anyone looking to live better with their dietary restriction or even just educate themselves better around whether or not they may have one in the first place.

Food Allergies…and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

18 Saturday May 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

auvi-q, EBT, Electronic Benefits Transfer, epinephrine, epipens, food allergies, low income, SNAP, Sun Connor, sun in austin, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Imagine a small child walking into the room. Imagine his eyes swollen shut, his nose running, and he’s wheezing. When someone asks what is wrong with the child. The mother explains to them that he suffers from a food allergy and she has to give him Benadryl around the clock.

This is something I refer to as Russian roulette. Please keep in mind, I am not judging the mother (or any parent in this situation). I am just filled with concern. Statistics show that there are upwards of 15 million Americans that suffer from food allergies and approximately 5 million of them are children. It is believed that children who come from wealthy families are more likely to develop an allergy to peanuts or tree nuts. We hear about the organizations and charities that are raising money to research these allergies all the time. But, do you know what we do not hear about? All the families who cannot afford to get an epipen for because their insurance refuses to cover it. Or how about all those families who really do not get enough with food stamps. And how about those families who cannot even get food stamps?

The unfortunate truth is food allergy friendly food is not cheap. There are limitations of what brands and products can be purchased. If you have to add multiple allergies to the mix, things can get even more expensive. An individual with a handful of food allergies can quickly find themselves spending more on grocery than they spend on their rent and utilities combined. Some people have trouble even finding food that they can consume with their allergies.

Now, close your eyes for a minute and think about your grocery needs with your food stamps card. Do you really think the amount you get would be enough to support dietary needs and restrictions if you had them?

If you are an Austin family with food allergies making ends meet with food stamps and interested in sharing budgeting tips/resources.. I’d love to hear from you at sunconnor@gmail.com.

Related articles
  • Ana’s Thoughts: Food Allergy Bullying (thediaryofanaphylaxis.com)
  • Top tips for dining out with food allergies (eatocracy.cnn.com)
  • Bullying over Food Allergies (wtpdiaries.wordpress.com)

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Sun in Austin

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