Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies and Sickle Cell Anemia

You are probably wondering how the two of these relate to one another~ well unfortunately our experience yesterday brings the two of these 'diseases' together.

Our day started out pretty normal for a family our size. Allen had an orthodontist appointment (can I here a cha ching cha ching cha ching? LOL) after that, I brought him into get his allergy shots. The day was slowly getting away from us.

After these appointments we drove home to quickly make some lunch and continue on with our day. Well I wish it would have been this easy. Unfortunately I was already exhausted and had a lot on my mind with upcoming injections and reuniting with my brother this weekend~ so when Maddie requested a Heath Bar (bite size) I nodded and agreed she could have it.

We sat and watched the Y&R ...but not 5 minutes after she ate the candy bar, she jumped up and started to cry with chest pains. I immediately begged AMR to read the packaging, and what do you know.....ALMONDS. Ugh. I said she could have a candy bar with NUTS???? How in the world did I agree to this, why was I so lazy to not pick up the bag and just read??? Why was I so consumed with my life rather than trying to protect my child?? These are the questions that remain with me and are teaching me a lesson I shouldn't have to be taught, because I do have common sense.

After hearing the Almonds in the candy, I brought Maddie over to the cupboard and gave her some benadryl and kept the epi pen close to me. I re-read the directions to make sure if I did have to use it, I would do it properly. I sat Maddie down and watched her like an hawk. She grew increasingly uncomfortable, and started to see red spots. At that point I loaded her into the truck and told Allen he must ride in the back with the epi pen. We had to pick up Michael from work and then we went straight to the ER.

We arrived safely and without using the epi pen to the ER and she was seen immediately. Oxygen level was in the 80's and she was getting very zoney and started to have trouble with her hand. We washed her hand thinking it was from the candy she touched...but that didn't help at all.

We were brought immediately back from the triage into a room by the nurses desk so she could be watched. As we sat, we saw Maddie's eyes start to swell and get very heavy, the hives started, then SEVERE-Massive Leg pain came out of nowhere. She said on a scale of 1-10 the pain level was at a 10. This was NOT related to the allergy reaction...this was something completely different.

The doctor asked to run a Sickle Cell Anemia Lab Test.....unfortunately this has to be sent out of the hospital to an independent lab. Sickle Cell does run in Terry's side of the family, and Terry has a step cousin that has Sickle Cell and has similar pain in her legs, as Maddie did. But from the information I've read, both parents have to be carriers of this hemaglobin S. I'm not sure that I carry it, since I'm caucasian ~ but we are testing her non the less to find out if in fact the leg pain is associated to Sickle Cell.

I pray that she was just having growing pains and that she is healthy.

Living with Peanut Allergies is hard enough for Maddie and for the family. If you haven't noticed, there are peanuts in almost everything.....peanut flour, peanut oil, made around nuts, or on machines that are in contact with nuts....the list goes on.

So that was our day...and our scare!!! Maddie is currently on prednisone, which makes her an eating monster~ but if you've seen Maddie, you know she can afford to eat as much as she wants. We are having her rest as much as possible and watching her closely.

I'm anxiously awaiting test results.

Love to all,

~T

New Study About Educational TV....

A study was released Wednesday found that high-quality educational programming for children is at its lowest level in nearly two decades.

Only one in eight shows billed as educational was rated "highly educational," according to research co-authored by a professor at the University of Arizona.

While I do agree we are well past the Electric Company and Seseme Street Era...I do believe having satelite or cable does open the doors for better or more educational programing that one might not get on network television. Also I believe that if we based this study on The Simpsons & Family Guy~ well no wonder we are lacking....are these even really "child" friendly shows, or are these programs not meant for educational purposes, but purely out of entertainment for the young at heart but on the adult side of life??

Some of the shows that are labeled Higher-quality TV are:

Eight shows for youngsters earned an exemplary rating for their educational content, according to a study on children's television:

Sesame Street (PBS)
Beakman's World (commercial)
Between the Lions (PBS)
3-2-1 Penguins (commercial)
Cyberchase (PBS)
Suite Life of Zack and Cody (commercial)
Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman (PBS)
Teen Kids News (commercial)

Now I don't know about you...I've seen The Suite Life with Zack and Cody~ can this really be considered educational??? LOL

Some of the programs I have found HIGHLY educational for my 2 year old (especially) and my 5 year old are:

1)Dora The Explorer- My two year old can speak about 10 words in Spanish, thanks to Dora, including counting to ten in Spanish. To me this is opening the door to diversity and teaching about other cultures. On top of learning Spanish, she has learned 3 sets of steps. For example 'Tree, Mountain, Grandma's House'

2)Go, Diego, Go-Children are learning more about animals in trouble that need to be rescued. This also is teaching humane treatment of all animals and being aware of our mother earth.

3)Little Einsteins (one of Martie's favorites)-Little Einsteins was designed to teach the target demographic art and music appreciation by integrating famous or culturally significant art works (usually, but not exclusively, paintings) and classical music (most typically from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods) into the scenery, plot, and soundtrack of each episode. The show is also designed to encourage viewer interaction (such as patting their legs, gesturing, or singing along to help the characters succeed on their "mission"). ***Thanks Wikipedia***

4)The Backyardigans-In each episode, the show's five preschool friends—Pablo, Tyrone, Uniqua, Tasha, and Austin—rely on their vivid imaginations to transform their backyard into completely different worlds, in which they go through many sorts of stories and adventures. The time-frame of the show can range from a few hours to more than one full day, but in reality, the story always ends just in time for one of them to invite the others for a snack. The episodes focus on the stories as much as they do on music and dancing, with each one featuring a different music genre.

5)The WonderPets-A good deal of the dialog is sung, so the show has been likened to operetta or singspiel. A 10-member live orchestra performs each episode, sometimes including other instrumentalists skilled in music from the region to which the pets are traveling during the episode. Completing each episode takes 33 weeks from script to final delivery.

6)Little Bear (Tonja's Personal Favorite)-Most of the characters are moderately anthropomorphic animals, exhibiting both animal and human behaviors, but generally dealing with human problems and concerns......listen to the calming, soothing music as you watch the show....this is perfect for before nap time.

My list really could go on covering the educational programming in today's world, but I think you get the idea. The study does have some basis, but I if we are only studying Hannah Montana, iCarley, Suite Life, Sponge Bob, and then Seseme Street....of course we come to the conclusion there is little educational programming.....but let's dig deeper and find what really is available today.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter~ please share.

Warmly,
~T