Christopher’s House
The leaves had just started to fall and we were going to a new friend’s house for a playdate. I had already prepped the Mom about Brandt’s allergies and she had relayed that to her older children (she has three, the youngest being Brandt’s age). All was going well. They were having a great time!
An Unidentified Cup
I was packing up to leave. We were both breathing a sigh of relief and eagerly chatting about our next playdate for the boys. As I turned, I saw Brandt with a cup, that wasn’t his. It was too late! I gasped in horror, he had already taken a sip! It wasn’t even a full sip, about 1/8 of a tsp.
911
It didn’t take long, it never does. (Doctors say that you can have a reaction within 20 minutes of ingestion, and how long it takes before it’s full blown is up to the individual.) Immediately, I had given him Benadryl.
I phoned his pediatrician, nervously watching to see what was going to happen. My heart was beating through my chest, as I helplessly became a bystander instead of a facilitator. He sneezed so much that his nose filled with mucous. At this time, we had two phones going (cell and land line), and the paramedics were on their way.
Just in Time
This was his second reaction and I had just gotten an Epipen from a new doctor. I was told by the responder (on 911), to use it if I had it. I never had the chance, the paramedics came in and took over. It couldn’t have been at a better time, I could hear his airways start to whistle.
Firetrucks
They had given him prescription strength Benadryl. Brandt was very scared. Who were all these people? We had gone outside and Brandt recognized the “red firetruck.” The paramedic explained that this was a good sign. He was still aware of his surroundings.
ER
We went to the Emergency Room. During the ride, Brandt sat on my lap, smiling and giggling with glee that we were in a truck. Brandt was under observation for four hours. He was given Albuterol (in a nebulizer) twice and Benadryl again. Thankfully, he didn’t have a second attack.
Going Home
Christopher’s mom came to pick us up. As two moms, we had bonded through a emotionally charged situation. We laughed and cried. We had plenty of playdates and birthdays together. Then, our kids went off to different schools, so we lost touch. But, I am sure she still remembers that first playdate, I know I always will.
Tags: Anaphylaxis, childrens food allergies and how it affects their famil, food, Food Allergies, food allergy horror stories, Multiple Food allergies
