Well, the worst is true in light of allergies. Seth is severely allergic to milk and eggs, oh the eggs were off the charts! Along with that, he is allergic to wheat and mildly to peanuts and soy. Cats and dogs have made the cut, so Seth will not be deprived completely! I jest, but really, this is no surprise to us. We could see his reaction months ago, especially to dairy and somewhat to wheat with mild reactions on his cheeks after eating. Hives are a mysterious thing and cannot directly be detected after the fact, so we will never definitively know what happened just one week ago. In my opinion, it was an over abundance of wheat in that one day. Wheat is found is almost every product we consume it seems! Read your labels, you'll be surprised...
The allergist asked that I also keep from consuming these foods while Seth is nursing, oh my goodness. We have minimal directions to go in the way of a rich milk alternative that would satisfy his growing needs, so this will be another journey of discovery and learning. Anyone know of wheat, dairy and egg free diets please comment and let me know! We will need all the help we can get on this one too. I think we may be relegated to chicken, rice, fruits and vegetables. this foodie is not exactly "feeling" that. But, whatever it takes to keep Seth safe and happy. He has been through so much and I am constantly amazed at his resilience. I know I've shared that many times, but it is so very true and worth repeating time and time again.
Our little guy is an official walker these days. He's happy to hold and finger and pull you to the right or left, but it just makes us giggle in delight to see him get up teepee style, stand and then walk off to whatever he has his eye on {{which these days is anything resembling a ball}}. What a guy.
I have been so grateful and mindful of the miracle that Seth is these past few days. I guess when it's time for his blood draw at CHOC, my heart feels the heaviness of the possibilities and I wait with baited breath for results. These tests have become my friend and somewhat of a solace as weeks pass and we go on about life with it's new rhythm. The new normal, remember that in my previous posts? I'm compelled to state that the Lord is my true solace, not results, but the evidence here, on this earthly plane does help on how to seek Him, although I am faithfully praying for miracles and His hand in all things, always ; ) I am constantly reminded by Seth's "condition" that my need for Christ and His loving hand is an essential part of my existence. As if it weren't true innately, but being in this place of need keeps me close to the Master's heart. I can find the blessing in this health issue and rest easy in God's provisions and helps. It will be our job as parents to Seth to teach him to do the same. Rest in God's hands, trust him for your body, mind and heart and lean not on your own understanding, but seek Him in prayer and supplication. He is good and faithful and has been thus far, and I know, I know, that He will continue to. It reminds me of that Footprints poem (a variation):
The Song Footprints in the Sand
by Mark Hargrave
One night I dreamed of walking along the shores of different lands.
I could tell that You were with me by the footprints in the sand.
As I gazed upon the heavens, I saw pages of my life.
It was then I realized that You remained there by my side.
When the clouds began to gather and the rains came falling down,
I looked to only find one set of footprints on the ground.
I said, "Lord, why did You leave me in the troubled times of life?
I believed that You would always walk beside me day and night." (Then I heard:)
"My precious child, I'd never leave you.
I have carved you on the hollow of My hand.
It's then I carried you in My arms,
When you see one set of footprints in the sand"
Dear Lord, will You be with me as I travel through the years?
Will You be there in the struggles? Will You wipe away the tears?
As my eyes turn toward the ocean and the shores of distant lands,
I'm still thinking of the single set of footprints in the sand. (I heard Him say:)
"My precious child, I'd never leave you.
I have carved you on the hollow of My hand.
It's then I carried you in My arms,
When you see one set of footprints in the sand."
Will I hear the angels singing, as my life comes to an end.
Oh Lord, I long to see You. Will You be there once again?
My eyes turn toward the heavens, along the path of foreign lands,
Once more, I'm thinking of the set of footprints in the sand. (Jesus said:)
"My precious child, I'd never leave you.
See your name carved on the hollow of My hand.
I'm here to carry you to your home.
You will see one set of footprints in the sand.
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ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteI'm a friend of Rex Green and have been following your and Oden's journey with Seth. Your post above compels me to comment as my son, Elliott (5) has a peanut allergy. My husband, Ed, and I have learned (unfortunately, through Elliott's accidental peanut ingestions) to be diligent about what we have in the house and reminding the adults around him of his peanut allergy. We also always have single dose servings of Benadryl and his epipen jr. with us at all times.
Elliott also has always been a small eater. So he is, really, on the very low end of the growth chart. But I've learned to give him foods that are high calorically. For example, dinner for him always includes a serving of avocados. Avocados are awesome in good fats and nutrients. Also flax seed oil gets added to his oatmeals or baby food (when he was a baby). When he was a baby/toddler, I would also do lots of mashed up foods w/ avocado -- avocado with oatmeal and pear, etc.
Another food that is great in good fats is coconut oil and milk. Perhaps Seth can tolerate this? I've also heard good things about quinoa as a good wheat alternative.
Anyways, I hope this is of some help. You, Oden, Seth, Jack and Max are always in my prayers.
Blessings,
Rachel (Tan Aw)
Many thanks Rachel. I have been reading up on alternative eating habits for allergy stricken people and have yet to see much information of higher fatty diets and how to supplement in this way, so thank you very much for these suggestions.
ReplyDeleteWe are big advocates of eating organic and health rich food, although have gotten away from it a bit in the past year or two, so this will bring us back to a place of being very aware of how we eat, what we eat and all foods in our home. This house will become "eating with purpose" I suppose.
I wondered about coconut milk and it potential allergy risks. Any feedback on that? I was interested in trying it soon, but hesitate for the sake of safety. So hard to know what will trigger a reaction. Good thing he is still young enough to work out these kinks in the months ahead as we decide which foods will benefit him and his ultimate growth and health.
Thanks for commenting and hello to Rex for us please!
Hi Sam,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I don't have any word of wisdom for you. I have a couple of friends whose kids have severe allergies, so I could ask them about specific things. Is Seth allergic to all dairy or just milk? Is it the lactose? Can he have yogurt? Can he have non-cows milk? How about the wheat - is it all gluten or wheat specifically? It's amazing how many types of allergies are out there. And as far as they know, has this all been caused by his meds? I remember you mentioning that there are no allergies in your family.
I am sorry I have way more questions than answers. I too have heard good things about avocados and quinoa. Trader Joe's sells a box of organic quinoa for $2.99 and they even have the red variety. Henry's sells bulk quinoa.
Lots of love to the family. And hurray for Seth walking!
Sam,
ReplyDeleteUsually the egg allergy is from the vaccinations.
The wheat is usually to the gluten.
There are many alternatives to milk.
One is goats milk.
I think I mentioned that before.
Many children can tolerate goat milk when they can't cows.
Hemp milk, coconut milk, almond milk...though not as a substitute for formula, but at one year old you don't have to worry about formula.
Country life makes a great liquid vitamin.
There are great blogs from moms who have dairy free-wheat free diets for their kids.
If you put gluten free-mom (one that comes to mind), you can find links to many others.
You can get rice based protein shakes (my kids grew up on them) from a company called metagenics. It is a professional line sold to Drs.
They also make a shake just for kids called "Ultracare for kids" it is a non-allergic rice based protein shake that you can add bananas or other fruit to.
It really will be a challenge till you get the hang of it. Rice and potatoes will be OK and you can use other grains to make bread. (such as quineoa, rice, millet. There is a bakery in my state that makes gluten free-wheat free breads. Perhaps you can find one in your area.
If you want to send your e-mail address I can help you more. I am a holistic physician. I have been praying for you and posting weekly.
I am sure since your Seth is immunosuppressed, he is more susceptible to protein allergies.
PS Sam,
ReplyDeletePerhaps you have the same allergies as your son.
Many times the parents have allergies to the foods the kids are allergic to.
Woudl be curious as to whether you noticed an improvement in yourself when you avoid the same foods.
Most people are allergic to milk and wheat and don't know it!
Did Seths Drs mention a rotation diet after a time of avoidance, or do they want him off the foods altogether?
Ahhh! Anonymous, thank you! You can find me at samanthasdesk@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteVery interested in the protein shakes and will be sure to look into this brand with our pediatrician perhaps... in fact we just left his office with a more positive outlook on this. We will continue to seek a neutral diet and add foods back in slowly one by one and pinpoint these allergies directly. He has decided against the steroid for 5 days. We were not willing to subject Seth to this needlessly, so were relieve and happy about this...
Protein allergies are the direction I am leaning as well, so this avenue of exploration seems appropriate...
looking forward to meeting you in an email!
Sam
Regarding the P.S. I missed...
ReplyDeleteI have read the words "rotation diet" but it was not yet suggested to me by either the pediatrician or the allergist. I assume the ped. today meant that conceptually as we will add back foods and track their progress.
Upon entering into the food realm were mindful and careful to add according to his reaction/response, so the hive reaction and allergy tests were quite a surprise in some ways, save the milk and somewhat wheat.
I myself have never been a milk drinker, but have been consuming it these past months for the calcium benefit as my diet hasn't been as wonderful as it used to with vegetables, etc. My boys, Max and Jack will not drink milk, but prefer soy (well, admittedly, Chocolate Silk) and only have dairy with cereal as well as cheeses, yogurts, etc. Max is chronically congested... correlation?! We don't push milk per se, but calcium rich foods such as broccoli, cheese, yes.
I too an eager to see my results with all these changes...
OK..Sam-Will e-mail you.
ReplyDeleteIt is a misconception abotu the calcium in milk.
Did you knwo that Americans consume the most milk and have the highest incidence of osteoporosis?
In Africa, there is hardly any cows milk and the strongest bones and teeth.
Cows milk leaches calcium out of the bones not into it.
I stopped giving my kids, and recommending soy years ago because of the estrogen connection.
We do whey and rice.
Will e-mail you soon!