On a warm summer day in 2013, I rushed to drop off my daughter at a local horse farm for a day camp. At just 7 years old, she was infatuated with everything related to horses, and her father and I had decided to surprise her with a weeklong camp for her birthday. She would have the chance to learn to ride, groom, and care for her beloved animals, and I was eager for a few hours of peace at the store. As I watched her skip joyfully toward the stables with her group, I hurried to my car, excited for some time to myself.
Just twenty minutes later, while I was happily wandering the aisles of Target with a Starbucks in hand, I noticed multiple missed calls from an unfamiliar number. Before I could even figure out who it was, another call came through. It was the camp director. “You need to come right away,” she said urgently. “Your daughter is having a severe reaction. She can’t breathe and is swelling up!”
I dropped my coffee and dashed out of the store.
As I sped into the parking lot, panic surged through me. I caught sight of my daughter; she was wheezing, her face distorted and swollen, her eyes tightly shut. Her skin was flushed, resembling a sunburn, and hives spread across her arms and legs. My heart sank as I realized she was experiencing an anaphylactic reaction to a horse—something we had no idea she was allergic to.
As an ICU nurse, I usually remain calm in emergencies. I’ve handled crises countless times, providing care and guidance to others with a clear mind. But this was different. This was my child, and she was in distress right before my eyes.
In my panic, I made a critical mistake: instead of waiting for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), I scooped her up and rushed her to our doctor’s office. As she struggled to breathe in the backseat, all my training evaporated. Terrified and distracted, I barely focused on the road. When we finally reached the doctor, I realized the grave error I had made by not waiting for the professionals. To this day, it astonishes me that I could set aside almost two decades of nursing experience during such a critical moment.
In the days that followed, we faced a whirlwind of medications, steroid treatments, and appointments with allergists. I fought to suppress my anxiety as the test results revealed not just a dangerous allergy to horses, but also a long list of food and environmental allergens that her body had been battling for years. Suddenly, our daughter was grappling with serious medical issues that had been hidden from us until now.
For the next few months, equipped with EpiPens and armed with a wealth of new knowledge about her triggers, we quietly informed those closest to us about her condition. We trained babysitters, troop leaders, and close friends on how to administer an epinephrine injection in case of an emergency. Collaborating with her school nurse and teachers, we devised a care plan for her school activities. Most importantly, we empowered our daughter with an understanding of her diagnosis. We taught her to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction and established a hand signal for her to use if she found it difficult to speak. Through role-playing, she practiced how to communicate her needs to friends and teachers.
We embraced her allergies as our responsibility, not a burden on others. In today’s world, allergies seem to be a common topic, with many kids facing various restrictions. Parents often express frustration over the limitations these allergies impose, and the debate about how to navigate this sensitive issue can be intense. However, as the parent of a child with allergies, I refuse to be that parent who demands special treatment beyond what is necessary. If she can’t eat something at a gathering, she simply abstains and enjoys being with her friends. I don’t call ahead for playdates to discuss her dietary needs; instead, I discreetly provide safe snacks for her to enjoy during class parties. We strive to approach her allergies as our responsibility, preparing her for a lifetime of managing them.
People are often surprised to learn about her extensive allergy list because we don’t make it a focal point of her identity. Her allergies are just a small part of who she is. I prefer to share stories about her accomplishments, like how she excelled in the 400m race at her track meet or how adorable she looks in her new glasses. While I occasionally connect with other parents facing similar challenges, I’d much rather discuss my writing or the shopping trip I finally completed without any interruptions.
Tips for Managing Allergic Reactions
If you ever find yourself in a situation where your child is experiencing an allergic reaction, keep these tips in mind:
- Call 911. Allow professionals to handle transportation so you can focus on your child.
- Try to identify what your child ingested and the quantity, as this information can be crucial for medical personnel.
- Keep your child’s current height and weight saved on your phone to assist medical professionals in accurately dosing emergency medications.
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In summary, the experience of discovering my daughter’s allergies was both terrifying and eye-opening. It taught me the importance of being proactive and prepared in the face of unexpected medical challenges. Our approach has always been about empowerment and education, ensuring she is equipped to handle her allergies with confidence.