Chaletgirl

This is one of my favourite books ever. It’s not really a kid’s book, it’s a book for adults, a book about life with many, many lessons to absorb.

Including warnings not to get stuck in ”‘The Waiting Place”.

Love this book. Everyone should have a copy!

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Our waiting place yesterday was at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Going in for Henry’s (almost) annual allergy appointments is always an exercise in waiting. Waiting to check in at Outpatients. Waiting for the doctor. Waiting for the skin prick test. Waiting for the results. Waiting to see the doctor again. Waiting back at Outpatients to make another appointment, where the biggest wait is always revealed…the next available appointment is always usually about 11 months away. That’s just how busy they are with the increase in allergies in this generation of children.

We met with the lovely doctor who has treated Henry since he was just 4 months old. She took one look at Emmeline in her pram and promptly ordered a skin prick test for her. Aye! I was not expecting that and as I turned around to go back and get her registered as a patient, I teared up at the thought of another little baby of mine having to go through the same thing.

As an aside, I note that there wasn’t anything in Emmeline’s appearance (she has none of Henry’s eczema) that alerted the doctor. Merely just her existence, ie. the sibling of a highly allergic child.

Luckily I had an extra pair of hands with me, my Dad’s. Between us we cuddled and held each child as their legs were dotted with concentrated allergens and then pricked to allow the allergen to seep under the skin.

Henry was very brave, and although he had a wild look in his eye (‘what is this sharp object with which you approach my leg!’; that kind of look) he wasn’t too bothered. Emmeline, much as Henry did when he was her age, barely flinched.

And then we waited to see what would happen.

After about 10 minutes we were led back into the lab. If the child is allergic to something, a red, itchy welt would appear on the spot where it was pricked into the skin. The size of that welt is measured as an indication of the severity of the allergy, and noted in the medical files.

Emmeline was clear! Based on her lack of reaction to any of the most common allergens, the doctor later predicted that she will be perfectly fine and I should introduce her to solids as a normal child. Wonderful news! Of course, that doesn’t rule out intolerances, only allergies, but that is something that we can deal with if the evidence supports it. By the way, she raised an eyebrow at my diagnosis of a possible dairy intolerance, but conceded that it was worth staying off dairy for another week and then re-introducing it into my diet to see what happens.

Henry did react to the dairy, but remained clear on dust and peanuts. Once I had the results in my hands from the lab, I pulled out my copies of Henry’s previous tests and, with a gasp, realised that this was the first time his reaction to dairy had become smaller.

(As the child grows in size, a bigger reaction is expected at each test, as the size of the welt should be proportionate to the size of the body. In the past, his welt had been bigger at each test, often more than should be expected for his change in body size).

Smaller! Of course I burst into tears and my poor old Dad thought something was really wrong. It was all I could do to splutter, “It’s smaller. It’s never been smaller……”

The doctor gave him a good look over, and pronounced his skin excellent. Credit to that must go to my Mum and my husband who have been in charge of Henry’s nightly creaming routine since Emmeline was born. Mum, you rock! Thank you!

Interestingly, the doctor also checked Henry’s nose, and discovered some inflammation in the sinus area. With a confirmation that, yes, he snores, she declared that he is probably also allergic to something airborne, in the house, but aside from the snoring and the dark circles under his eyes, it wasn’t causing him too much of a problem and it was probably pointless to go on a witch-hunt as these things are very hard to pinpoint.

Now those damn dark circles have been such a cause of trouble over the last few years. The “allergy shiners” are quite noticeable on Henry, and can also be attributed to a food intolerance. I have um’d and ah’d over the last few years about whether to put him through an elimination diet to try and discover the source of the dark circles, but each time decided that it’s crazy to put him through that for something that is merely cosmetic. And then I walk into another medical professional’s office, whether that be an obstetrician, paediatrician, chiropractor or whatever, and they say, “Oh look at Henry’s allergy shiners!” and I go through the same debate again.

So this was a breakthrough. It’s nothing to do with food, and I can relax about it at last. Phew.

Oh, and the smaller allergic reaction to dairy? He’s ready for a food challenge! I need to make cupcakes, with cow’s milk in them, and bring one in to the hospital. In a controlled environment, they will give him the cake and see what happens.

If he passes this test, we may be able to introduce foods with cooked milk (biscuits, cakes, pastry, etc) into his diet. Something I’m not that thrilled about, as they aren’t foods I would actually like him to eat, but it will take away some of the anxiety at gatherings where food is involved, such as parties, etc. And imagine his joy at being able to share his classmates’ birthday cake at preschool. Imagine!

Of course, I will make sure that I don’t get stuck in The Waiting Place, since the first available appointment for the cake challenge, was, wait for it, 1st December. At least it’s still this year!

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Some of you might be stuck in The Waiting Place at the moment. Don’t worry, it won’t be long. Here’s what is waiting to go to the Post Office: