Nutty Narrative by Jen

[The following narrative was found in an email from Jennifer. It should lead someone into the research field as to why there are so many people that have allergies to 'nut' products.]

Part I: The short version -
I thought it would be alright to let Jackson have a few cashews yesterday.......well after the benadryl, epi pen, a visit from the local fire/ambulance, and a trip to the doctor we will be avoiding all nut products - not just peanuts as before. We now have two epi pens in our possession. He was actually fine by the time the firemen arrived but I had already freaked out and called them. The epi pen instructions said, "Seek medical attention!" and 911 was the fastest way I thought that could happen. His doctor said this can happen. That a mild allergy can turn severe without warning. Also, as advised by our doctor, Tate will be avoiding all nuts too since we do not know his reaction yet. Don't worry - I will remind you of this not nuts policy about 20 times before I leave them with any of you. Thank God Jack is fine. His angels were flying all around us yesterday.

Jen

PartII: The longer version -

Well I picked B up from school and went to United to get sunflower seeds for this brocolli salad I was making for dinner. She saw the jar of cashews on the shelf and wanted them. Then we went and got the boys and B showed Jack the cashews(see how easily my children are entertained). On the 5 minute drive home I said I think you can have them you've had them before...then I stopped myself and said just eat one and make sure it doesn't make your tongue hurt. He said it doesn't hurt and then ate a few more (I don't know how many) then he starts screaming that his tongue hurts. When we got home (1 or 2 minutes later) I immediately gave him a teaspoon of benadryl. After I got Tate and all the stuff in from the car I noticed he was sneezing and rubbing his eyes and his ear was bright red. Then he started crying a little. His face was breaking out around his mouth. I called Steve at the library and asked him if Jack had eaten cashews before. Then I hung up and he was crying and coughing more. He had a couple of croup sounding coughs like barking so I was like I'm going to have to use the pen. Right about that time I looked on the counter (the junk counter under the microwave where everything gets thrown) and there was the bag that contained the Epi Pen. (That's where the angels came in because any other day had you asked me where that Epi Pen was I would not have been able to tell you - I knew it was somewhere in the house). Blakely and Tate had been playing around and I told her to watch him in his room. By now Jack was heading for his room to get his blankie and lay down on his bed. I quickly read the 3 step directions to the pen and gave it to him. It was kinda sur-real like is this really happening to me or am I imagining it. Then I told B get in the car we're going to the doctor. Then Jack started coughing and gagging like he was going to throw up but only some mucus came out. That's when I decided to call 911. Then I called Steve and told him to come home because I had just given Jack his Epi Pen and called 911. Then he got better pretty quickly and I was just holding him waiting for the firemen. I told B to keep Tate in her room because the doctor was coming to our house. They got there and checked his oxygen level and blood presure. He was ok and they told me I did the right thing and then I called my doctor and took him in just to check. My doctor was like why did you have an Epi Pen in the first place....I said the first time Jack saw someone at your office (another doctor) she prescribed it as soon as I said he has a peanut allergy ...another angel looking out for him.

Anyways I think that's about it.