THE ALLERGY RESULTS ARE IN

As most of our family and friends know, Miss M has allergy issues -- BIG issues. She has food issues, but also VERY big respiratory issues which can leave her miserable for DAYS after some outings and visits. So, when the 3rd bout since the New Year of severe bronchitis was after Father's Day weekend, our pediatrician finally made a recommendation that we consult with an allergist.


The first appointment was last Monday, and we didn't know exactly what to expect. After a ba-zillion questions about our household and activities, we were told by the doctor that she recommended a "prick test" to identify what her "triggers" were. 21 pricks were made in her tiny little back (which needed DH and 3 nurses to hold her down for, kicking and crying), er, actually, 42 because each prick had to have a "control" partner -- sheeeeeesh, is her back really big enough for all of that?!? After having to stay laying on her tummy for 15 minutes (actually longer, and telling the nurses two times that we're losing control and need the doctor to check this NOW), the tests were "inconclusive" because 4 pricks were possibly issues: grass, dust, dog and cat.


They wanted to do more. But it was 5:10pm, Mr J would be waiting to see us, and we were all 3 exhausted. We made a second appointment for yesterday afternoon.


This time, they took those four items and did injections, again in her back (best for a 2YR old to NOT SEE what is coming, don't you agree?). And we waited again, but not so stressful because she was able to get up and move around (injections are less of an issue since they can't drip or smear into one another like the pricks can).


Then, the doctor told us that she is certain -- Miss M is allergic to DOGS (unfortunate news to the dog lovers in our circle, but we KNEW that) and to DUST (we knew that there was also something else, but weren't certain exactly what, so this is VERY helpful information).

Follow that up with a Mommy/Daughter visit to Build-A-Bear for a extra special Berry-bear treat for a VERY good little girl:

(alright, girls and boys -- yes, I can see those are STARS and not berries, but we've been binging on blueberries for about TWO weeks now, so the new bear's name is BLUEBERRY and everyone will just have to play along with that), and all is forgiven this morning.

So, for the time being, we have to stay away from those things as much as possible, will get a super-duper filtration system installed on our home heating/cooling system, and take some additional medications. Then go back to visit the allergist again, but they have promised no more needles that visit. *Ü*