The latest development in our little family's life involves the discovery of some new allergies. Well, we had suspected but it has been confirmed. After living in a constant state of suffering and misery, we have finally figured out what my husband is allergic to: dustmites. It turns out those little buggers were responsible for his hacking cough, lack of breathing, stuffy nose and a head that feels twice as big.
On our second visit to T's allergist, I stepped outside for a minute to take my little girl to the bathroom. When we came back my poor husband had walked out of the doctor's office with one very swollen arm and a face as red as a beet. He was completely stuffed up, eyes watering and very miserable. The little marks on his arm read CRAB, LOBSTER, SHRIMP. I could see some serious hives next to all three, which later on spread and melded into one massive swollen area. It turns out he's allergic to shellfish - severely. What did the doctor call it... "profound reaction"!
He always suspected that he was allergic to lobster, but not shrimp or crab, and not like this. He had always said it was just a mild reaction; he'd get sick after eating lobster. However, after the latest allergy test we have seen the light. And to think, all those times we ate at seafood restaurants and ignored shellfish warnings on labels. Close calls! Despite this recent discovery, we are still living our life unaffected really. Maya does not even like the smell of seafood, and T never liked it anyway. I do not eat lobster or crab; never have, never will. However, I have a lot of respect for people who do. I lack the courage to put those things in my mouth. Crabs especially, very much resemble the facehuggers from Aliens. And lobsters, well, they look like a cockroach on steroids. The only thing I might miss is shrimp, but I'd miss my husband more if he had to spend half the night in the ER because of a reaction to shrimp.
Needless to say, after his profound reaction we promptly picked up an epipen. Ah, all is good in the world. Now, if only I could convince him to carry the darn thing.
On our second visit to T's allergist, I stepped outside for a minute to take my little girl to the bathroom. When we came back my poor husband had walked out of the doctor's office with one very swollen arm and a face as red as a beet. He was completely stuffed up, eyes watering and very miserable. The little marks on his arm read CRAB, LOBSTER, SHRIMP. I could see some serious hives next to all three, which later on spread and melded into one massive swollen area. It turns out he's allergic to shellfish - severely. What did the doctor call it... "profound reaction"!
He always suspected that he was allergic to lobster, but not shrimp or crab, and not like this. He had always said it was just a mild reaction; he'd get sick after eating lobster. However, after the latest allergy test we have seen the light. And to think, all those times we ate at seafood restaurants and ignored shellfish warnings on labels. Close calls! Despite this recent discovery, we are still living our life unaffected really. Maya does not even like the smell of seafood, and T never liked it anyway. I do not eat lobster or crab; never have, never will. However, I have a lot of respect for people who do. I lack the courage to put those things in my mouth. Crabs especially, very much resemble the facehuggers from Aliens. And lobsters, well, they look like a cockroach on steroids. The only thing I might miss is shrimp, but I'd miss my husband more if he had to spend half the night in the ER because of a reaction to shrimp.
Needless to say, after his profound reaction we promptly picked up an epipen. Ah, all is good in the world. Now, if only I could convince him to carry the darn thing.
