Three halves of cashews almost killed my 2 year old son. Just three halves. Within one hour of ingesting 3 halves of cashews, my little Leo was in complete anaphylaxis.
Since finding out about his tree nut allergy in 2016 at the age of 2, we have to visit the allergy doctor every year for a check up and renewal of EpiPen prescription. Just to bring you back to the beginning, my entire life changed on August 19, 2016. I’ve written and re-written Leo’s story several times, but it never seems enough.
Here is our story:
Verison 1: Friday, August 19, 2016: Poor Leo. Had a severe allergic reaction to cashews. Started swelling up and welting all over, pulling at his throat and tummy, screaming for me to help him. Called 911, rushed to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in downtown Jacksonville (Florida) via ambulance. Got the full cocktail of emergency allergy meds. Poor guy vomited all over both of us, so we were both in hospital gowns. He finally passed out in my arms as we waited for the meds to kick in. Got home at 1am. Back to “new normal” in the morning…got Epipen prescription filled.
So thankful for 911 and EMTs! They had to stay at the house with Lily and Luke until Daddy could get home, since Leo and I got a siren escort. Next door neighbor popped over to make sure we were ok (only met her once, but she’s from Lawrenceville!! And a nurse!!). She also stayed with big kids until Alfred pulled in. Rey and Alice came down so Daddy could join us at the hospital, bring us clothes and bring us home. Thank you God for helping me make solid, fast decisions, and for putting everyone in place to help us last night.
Version 2: On Friday 8/19/16: Leo ate 3 halves of cashew at 5:15pm. Very fussy, refused to eat dinner at 6:15pm. By 6:30pm, was pulling at neck, complaining shirt hurts, crouching down and pushing on stomach in pain, welts and swelling coming on fast and furious. Started coughing. Lips at least 5 times swollen. Eyes and face swelling. Called 911 at 6:40pm. Given epinephrin in ambulance. Didn’t do much. Rushed to Wolfson Children Hospital ER by ambulance. Given entire array of allergy meds by IV. Skin hot and red for at least another hour at hospital. He threw up all over both of us. Finally started to look and feel better around 10pm. Released at 11:30pm with prescriptions for Epipen, steroid and reflux meds. Got home at 1am.
Version 3: Leo is severely allergic to Cashews and Pistachios. We found out by accident, in the worst way…he ate one on August 19, 2016 and went into anaphylaxis. We had no clue what was happening, and he was only 2. His insides were on fire, he was swelling faster than I could think, and he was having trouble breathing as I called 911. All within 30 minutes. We were rushed to the ER with sirens blaring and I’ve never been more scared in my life. I know a lot of people who simply brush off the seriousness of a nut allergy because it seems over the top these days. Schools have special tables and kids can’t bring PBJ sandwiches for lunch. I can say from experience that it is a very serious allergy where the body reacts very quickly and severely. Death is a very real outcome if not treated with Epinephrine immediately. Although my little guy is actually not allergic to peanuts, but rather Cashews and Pistachios (tree nuts), I still worry every single day and twice as much when he is away from me. I have to constantly monitor his food and ensure that his Epipen goes with him at all times. It’s a lifestyle reality for us, and sometimes even I get lulled into complacency. Then we visit a new friend and Leo boldly says “You need to put away your cashews and pistachios because I’m allergic”. He knows he has to communicate this to anyone offering him food. I simply write all of this to ask my friends to please understand when your child’s teachers enforces the “no nuts” policy. Take it to heart, think if my sweet Leo struggling to breathe, and remember one simple choice as it could save a child’s life.