We had a follow-up visit with our allergist this week.  It was the first visit since the latest Anaphylaxis episode.  He skin tested my son and the results were not pretty.  Huge "wheals" showed up at the test sites to every componet of dairy and egg.  Over and over again the doctor's eyes grew wide as he stressed how serious my son's allergies are.  He told me his allergies are so serious that even skin contact with residue from an allergen could cause anaphylaxis. 

Even in Food Allergy Support groups, we dance around the scary words.  We say "serious" instead of "life-threatening"and stick to the term "anaphylaxis" rather than saying "he could DIE".  This can be dangerous, though, because most people outside the food allergy community do not understand anaphylaxis.  Most people don't realize how quickly anaphylaxis can occur and how quickly it can lead to death.

It is psychologically traumatic to deal with life with a child who has a life-threatening medical condition.   Adding to the trauma is the fact that food allergies are one of the least understood medical conditions but most dependent on the understanding and help from others to keep a child safe and well.  So part of the trauma is how very alone you feel in dealing with this condition and how frustrating it is to know how to appropriately handle 'educating' others.  Just when you think others understand how dangerous the cheese crackers and ice cream are, you see them feeding their toddlers such foods right next to your allergic child!  Just when you think someone understands that skin contact to an allergen can kill, they are shocked that you can't take your child to play at Chuck E Cheese's.  All sense of composure fades away as you feel overwhelmed, alone, and like you can never safely leave your house.

(from a Time magazine article called "Allergies at the Dinner Table":  http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1562596,00.html#

"Several hospitals around the country are in the process of developing psychiatric programs specifically for families with food allergies. According to Anaphylaxis: How Do You Live With It?, a 2005 article in Health and Social Work, coping with a child who has a severe allergy is similar to dealing with a chronic disease. In a study of 17 families with children with anaphylaxis, the authors describe the profound psychosocial impact on parents of knowing an illness can cause death." 

I am a Christian who trusts in a loving and Sovereign God.  I believe the Bible says that each day is ordained, so I know that my child will live all the days the Lord has planned for him.  But there is, at the exact same time, a responsibility to exercise great care and caution.  This experience of life with food allergies is a serious test of my faith.  I am still struggling to work it all out.  Reasonable caution without overwhelming fear.   Wisdom and faith without carelessness or worry.   I don't want psychiatric counseling.  But I don't have it all figured out yet, either.