Oral Allergy Syndrome

It is not typical for me to self-diagnose -- or to diagnose on behalf of my family.  This situation unfolded a little differently, though.

It all started years ago with carrots -- raw carrots, that is.  Our young daughter would tell us she didn't want to eat them because they made her throat feel scratchy.  And then, I happened upon this little blurb in a magazine:

Though our daughter had been diagnosed as a hay-fever sufferer (suspect: ragweed), there were enough of her food-triggors listed [in the above chart] under BIRCH POLLEN to make me realize something was going on there!

Have you heard of this?  Our family doctor hadn't.  It's known as Oral Allergy Syndrome, and you will find a lot of information about it HERE and HERE.  Because we were unsure how this syndrome might ultimately affect our daughter, our doctor did subscribe an EpiPen for her to have on standby -- particularly when she is away from home (like on a missions trip), and might be eating unfamiliar foods.  {I pack her lunch every day for school, and she is very good at NOT EATING the problem foods that she knows of.}  However, after further reading, it seems that episodes of anaphylaxis or severe throat swelling are rare in people who experience OAS.  That is a comfort!

I share this in hopes that it might help someone else out there.  I don't claim to have any answers, and can only share what our daughter has experienced.  Ultimately, if you or someone you love are experiencing symptoms like these, you should check with your doctor.

**TIP**  Go to POLLEN.COM and sign up for allergy-alert emails that will notify you about levels of specific pollens in your area.  This has been very helpful to us in preparing for bad allergy days!

*** My thanks to the magazine that published this information for me to stumble upon!  At the time I cut it out, I didn't realize how truly valuable the information would be to our family.  Unfortunately, there is no indication of what magazine I might have cut it from...       In appreciation!  ~Sally

Two Winter-Weather Tips

Many of your are facing Arctic-like temperatures, and word around here is, ours are going lower too.  I don't know about your house... but at our house, winter brings its own unique set of... issues.

The first is that my fingers tend to split open at the end because of all the dry air, and my constant washing of hands while cooking and baking.  Though some of you have thoughtfully provided solutions, this girl is on a budget, and big-ticket moisturizers are not included.  While I was in Carlisle with my nieces, the "season" officially began as THREE of my finger-tips split.  In desperation one day, I covered them with Blistex Medicated Balm, usually used on my lips.  I am a long-time fan of this product, and let me tell you... it healed up my finger-tips faster than any other product I've used.  Sometimes the thing that WORKS will not be the most obvious, but trust me on this one!  It works on split lips, right?  I use this all the time now -- and have a tube of Blistex set aside for just this purpose on my bed table.  (Cost: under $1 at Target.)

The second issue is that my daughter's throat is perpetually sore due to... (well, I'll just say it) allergy drainage.  If you were around here last winter, you know that we dealt with some health issues during our daughter's first year in public school.  Apparently her body could not stand the onslaught of germs, and she was sick [missing school] a LOT.  This year, she is doing a lot better, but we are also trying to be more proactive, not letting things spin out of control.  While I was surfing around on Pinterest the other day, I was reminded of a tip that our doctor gave us... gargling with saltwater.  Most of you are probably saying "of course" -- everyone has heard of this.  But, how many of us put it into practice?  We have become better garglers around here lately, and I think it has made a difference in how much my daughter's throat bothers her.  [Please: do not ask HER.  She despises this, and only gargles when I insist.  Oh well.  This is a battle I'm willing to fight!!! -- and I gargle right along with her!]  IN FACT, we keep this cup and measuring spoon at the ready, and as a reminder.  ONE CUP of warm water to 1/2 TEASPOON of salt.  Dissolve salt & gargle away.  My daughter and I usually split the cup, and gargle till it's gone!  (Cost: minimal)

Sometimes, people... it's the simple things that do the trick, and I'm all about sharing what works -- so, MERRY CHRISTMAS.  May your split fingertips be healed, and your throats be clear of.... well, you know.

Friday Farrago

Gahhhhh!  Is it over?  Just tell me it's over already.  I am so OVER bats and spiders.  NOT a fan.  There I said it.  Just call me a party-pooper.  Go ahead.  But, I can tell that some of you are ready to move on too --> there's been lots of action on some of my Christmas posts!

Moving right along.  And WOW, is life moving along lately.  I don't know where the time has gone.  I recently started watching babies at church on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for moms who have mothers club or bible studies -- also for international moms who have English classes.  I cannot even explain to you how much I love holding babies on my lap and singing or reading -- or laying on the floor with them and teaching them to play with a new toy.  Or telling them things, and seeing them respond to me.  Oh my, how I love the wee ones.  What a privilege to love on them.

And here's a fun little side-story... When I showed up to watch the babies, in walks a little guy who I totally recognized.  My girlfriend's grandson.  Quite a coincidence, actually, since the family does not attend our church.  The fun part?  I used to babysit his daddy.  (I know, I'm old.)  The thing is, this little guy is too young to understand the connection -- but oh, how I love him -- and how how he reminds me of his daddy!  You can see... I love my mornings with the babies.

HowEVer... two scheduled mornings in the middle of a week make the week FLY by.  Can I just say?  I don't know where my days and weeks are going lately.

Added to that... my sweet hubby was out of town for three days this week, and will be going out of town again soon.  Then, it's my turn, and I'm off on an adventure.  (I'll tell you about that another time.)  In between, I'm trying to keep up on the laundry so that my hubby doesn't have to think about keeping up with it while I'm gone.  I'm kind of funny about anyone else doing the laundry -- mostly because I put some things in the dryer, and other things not-so-much, and I'm really the only one who knows that CODE.  Am I the only one who does this?

In other news, almost daily, I delete an e-mail from Etsy with the word "success" in the subject line.  Etsy has not been a success for me.  It would be funny if you left a comment saying, "perhaps you should read the e-mail" -- but (haha) don't.  The other day, my mom presented an Etsy idea to me -- and I hope to be able to share that with you sometime soon.  In the meantime, I'll leave you on the edge of your seat.

In the last month or so, my allergies have been worse than they were in the summertime.  Anyone else? I've been downing allergy meds like they're going out of style.  My body?  Is tired of both allergies and (sadly) allergy meds.  Put a fork in me.  I'm done.

Yesterday, I bought a 2014 calendar.  Not the kind you hang on the wall -- but, a spiral-bound book.  That's what I like to keep on my desk.  My daughter and I had a great conversation about how much she likes books. Real, hold-in-your-hand books.  Not e-books.  She loves the feel of the pages, and the smell of the paper. That's me and book-style calendars.  My mom suggested a computer-program that I might like for calendaring.  (I just made up that term.  Like it?)  I was like, ummm, no thank you.  Not interested.  I like a physical thing to hold in my hands and WRITE in.  That's just me.  I'm not saying I've never entered an event in my phone calendar. However, that's usually only as a note until I can get home and write it on my hard-copy calendar. Technologically backwards, right?

Related to this backwardness: not long ago, I posted this on Facebook:  "So, I went to a meeting at church today.  People around me were on their laptops and smartphones.  I don't think anyone but me had paper and pen."  I included these hashtags:

#nolaptop
#ilovemydesktopbutitisnotportable
#nosmartphone
#ilovemyflipphonebutitisnotsmart

As I write this post, ladybugs (or asian beetles, you choose) are buzzing around the kitchen light.  They've been coming in our windows and doors the last two days.  I've gotten tired of chasing them around, so when the sound of them hitting the lights starts to get to me... I turn off the lights and go to bed.  LOL

And that, my friends, is real life at my house.  Crazy with a capital "C" -- with lots of random thrown in for good measure.

How did I end up with FARRAGO in my title?  Simple.  I looked up "miscellany" in the on-line thesaurus, and found a word beginning with "F" to go with FRIDAY.  Boom.  I learned a new word today.

Were you formerly familiar with the word "farrago?"
(Do you love the alliteration?)

'13 Gratefulness

* grateful for time spent with mom yesterday

* grateful for "Grandpa time" for my daughter tonight.  They are off to the last football game of the season!

* grateful for a new ministry to be a part of

* grateful for leaf colors that defy description -- oh the beauty!

* grateful for a ride from a friend while we've been playing "musical cars" [not chairs] at our house

* grateful for cancellation of an additional surgery for a friend -- not needed, afterall

Feel free to chime in with a comment!  What are you grateful for today?

And Away She Goes!

It's been a long allergy week -- and it's only Wednesday.  I think I sucked in some pollen when I was out gardening Sunday evening, and it's been downhill from there.  Allergy meds aren't touching it, and I am reminded what a bummer it is to not feel well in the summertime!

Also this week, we are reaching a fever-pitch of excitement around here, as my daughter is gearing up to hit the ministry trip trail to Chicago next week.  A group of high school kids from our church will be working there with New Life Ministries.  Specifically, my daughter will be working with a group of friends in leading some VBS activities.

For my daughter, that means that this week is a week of much anticipatory-type excitement, some random maladies, and little sleep.  {All of this has become the standard "week before" around here.}  Oh, and did I mention? She's been packed since Sunday.  She is totally self-motivated in that area, which is delightful since I hate to pack, and would rather not be responsible for that on any level.

This year, we have the added "excitement" of learning to use an EpiPen before her trip.  My girl has some mild food allergies that she's been dealing with for years now.  Last time we visited the doctor, we asked him about the possibility of these allergies escalating as she gets older, and after a good discussion, he prescribed an EpiPen - just in case.  Interestingly enough, not only does it raise your awareness, but it feels like it increases the possibility that the EpiPen will actually be needed -- which of course, is not true.

What's she allergic to?  Oh, fresh apples, peaches, & cherries, raw almonds, pistachios and carrots, and some salad green varieties.  She also has a dairy intolerance which we've learned to manage -- mostly by slowing down on things like pizza and ice cream!  Luckily she's a pretty smart girl, and watchful about not eating the foods that trigger these allergic reactions -- although, she only just learned about the cherries, so who knows what other issues might await her?  Thus the EpiPen.  It does provide a certain comfort level.

[The first several paragraphs at THIS SITE describe our girl to a "T" and have given us much insight!]

I'd appreciate your prayers for us as we send her off to Chicago very early on Sunday morning.  Thanks friends!

The 411 on Ragweed & Hayfever

My poor girl.  She is really suffering with Hayfever this year.  She's been experiencing lot of different kinds of symptoms, and it's so frustrating to her as well as to me.  I feel like I never know what symptom to deal with first.  She takes a well-known prescription, as well as some OTC meds, and although they free her breathing, they do not stop the headaches.  I was beginning to wonder just what all the symptoms of Hayfever could be -- so I did a little searching.

I found out that there are MANY symptoms of Hayfever.  Following are just a few from this list.

• Stuffy or runny noes
• Sneezing
• Irritation to the eyes
• Coughing and Wheezing
• Headaches
• Sinusitis
• Sleep deprivation due to other symptoms
• Allergic Rhinitis which in itself is: Symptoms of a 'permanent cold'
• Blocked stuffy nose
• Headaches and earache
• Constant sore throats and postnasal drip
• Poor concentration

GREAT!  What a nice way to kick off the school year.  All of that crud, PLUS poor concentration.  Poor girl.  The Ragweed Allergy site also states that any one of these symptoms alone may not be Hayfever, but if you suffer from several, it's likely that you are a... victim (my word).

Not ragweed.  Just a place to rest your eyes...

So what's a mom to do?  The above-mentioned site recommends staying indoors with the windows closed, and driving places rather than walking.  Of course we've been enjoying the open windows and doors, and the breezes blowing through the house on these less humid days.  Guess it's time to turn the AC back on to see if she notices a difference.

ALSO - we are trying some nose drops (a sample that the doc gave us last summer, and she didn't end up needing).  I've always been so hesitant to start nose drops... I grew up with a friend who experienced allergies.  She used nose drops all the time, and had a constant *sniff*.  It was part of her rhythm -- like breathing.  I swore off nose drops FOREVER after that.  Famous last words, huh?

I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile,

do YOU suffer from Hayfever?

What is your best remedy?

Tell me about it!  (Please?) 

Interesting side note:  I also read this: *"People with Ragweed Allergy may also get symptoms when they eat cantaloupe and banana. Chamomile tea, sunflower seeds and honey containing pollen from Compositae family members occasionally cause severe reactions too."

Wow, who knew?  That made me do a little more searching, and I found this great site:  http://allergies.about.com/od/foodallergies/a/oas.htm, where I learned that the symptoms my daughter feels when she eats raw peaches, carrots, or apples are not just in her head - but related to a Birch pollen allergy! 

*CREDIT:  This and all ragweed/hayfever information in this post was gleaned from http://www.ragweed-allergy.com/.  There's all kinds of interesting information at this site.  Check it out!  They didn't ask me to tell you.  I just like to share good information.

The Facts of Life

Buds on the maple tree!

So, it would seem that spring-time is here.  Let's not talk about the snow forecasted for next week.  TODAY (oops, just checked the time -- make that YESTERDAY) was glorious, in the 60/70 degree range with lots of sun.  But, with the good, you've got to take a little bad.  Enter allergies.  Yesterday, I was feeling the beginning of them, and it wiped me out.

♫♫♪♪♫

"You take the good, You take the bad,

You take them both and there you have the facts of life."

{I've always wanted to say "name that movie" or in this case name that show -- you know, like The Pioneer Woman does?  But this one's a little obvious!}

Anyways, back to the allergies and being wiped out.  I took a little nap in the afternoon.  And then again in the evening.  I was just not feeling great.  But of course, you know what that means.  TaaDaa.  It's the "wee hours" and I'm awake.  Wanna hear about my day?

I thought you'd never ask.  We had a spring-break sort of day.  My son spent the day with friends which meant my daughter and I had some girl time.  We enjoyed lunch at one of our favorite local spots, Blake's.  They specialize in yummy cupcakes, and we each ate 1/2 of ours before our sandwiches arrived.  (Well, what's a girl to do?  They give you your cupcake first!!!)  Then it was off to birthday shop for 2 nieces, and a friend.  We ended up getting all the things we were looking for, and had the most fun at Michaels.


My dear daughter has been dying to paint something.  She found a monogrammed "S" with a hook - to hang on the wall in her room for $1.  It was bare wood when she purchased it, and she picked a lovely shade of green paint for 59 cents.  She added a little stick-on butterfly bling, and look how cute!

Is it spring-time yet at your house?  Are you experiencing allergies?  Getting creative?  Leave me a comment.  I'd love to hear from you.  And who knows?  If you respond quickly, I may be still sitting right here - ready to chat...  Otherwise, happy weekend to all -- and to all a good night! (Wait, what time is it?)