When the ambulance came they sat in our living room with him for a while listening to him breathe and sneeze and cough. It felt like forever until we left the house and they didn't run the red lights as far I know. In the ambulance I remember them saying, 'yeah his wheezing is getting worse.' but doing absolutely nothing. By the time we got to the hospital he was covered in scalp to leg hives unlike anything I had ever seen. He was barely responsive and his blood pressure was plummeting. They rushed us right in and hooked him up to the IV with many medications for several hours. When they released us he needed to stay on medicine for several more days because of the chance of further reactions.
At the time I didn't know why the ambulance didn't do anything. Did they not have equipment? Were they not trained on how to handle this? We didn't yet have Coby's epipens since this was his very first reaction.
Since then I read that many ambulances and EMTers are not equipped to handle anaphylaxis. That when making the 911 call you need to state 'the child is having a life threatening reaction to food' and then and only then, MAYBE, will the ambulance be able to properly care for the child. There has been talk that not every ambulance has epipens in it, possibly due to the cost---- (though it costs under 2.00 to make each epipen though they now charge close to 700.00 for a set), and not every EMT guy is trained in what to do.
Just today I read about another child having an anaphylactic reaction in a restaurant. I do not know why she didn't have her own epipen. Perhaps it was her first reaction, I don't know. They called 911 but the ambulance people refused to administer an epipen. Instead they spent close to 35 minutes just observing her and calling their supervisors. One of the cops there is a food allergy dad and recognized what was happening and was telling them, "GIVE HER THE EPIPEN." But they refused saying they are not allowed to do that at this point, that if she codes then they can,unless they get through to their supervisor. After all that time, they ended up giving her an epipen, by then it didn't work. So they gave another one, again it didn't work. (Epipens need to be given within a certain window for it to work.) They gave her a 3rd one and inserted a breathing tube and then and finally then put her in the ambulance. They don't know that she'll survive.
As an allergy mom this is obviously TERRIFYING. Sure if Coby is with me and C"V he needs an epipen I will give it. I know the protocol, I know what to do. Camp staff and school staff are trained in recognizing a reaction and what to do. But what if there's a sub? What if it's not so clear? I read another article about a school nurse who was trained what to do, but called 911 first and 911 instructed her DO NOT GIVE THE CHILD THE EPIPEN, so she didn't. Because that's what 911 told her to do. Despite the protocol being, "epipen first, THEN call 911".
When Coby is out of my hands, what if the people supervising him are undermined by 911 and they hesitate? What if he's a tween and rebelling and not carrying his own epipen and EMT won't give him theirs?
I HAVE TO DO WHAT I CAN TO KEEP HIM AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. Yes the journey through OIT can be hellish, yes he may have reactions during it. But if he is able to complete the process (15-20% drop out due to side effects) there is a light at the end of the tunnel. No, he wouldn't be "CURED". But his risk of having an allergic reaction from cross contamination or an airborne one is close to 0%!!!!!!
When you are giving your child his maintenance dose of the day and if a reaction were to occur it would be under your watchful eye within a set amount of time (usually).
Simchat Torah is fast approaching- one of the two scariest holidays of the year (second to Purim where we inevitably get things with peanuts in our shalach manot.)
Coby wants to go to shul yet we KNOW that chocolates with actual peanut butter are handed out in shul. Coby KNOWS not to eat anything without checking with us first.... but.... what if the temptation is too great and he 'thinks' it's safe. What if a child eats a peanut butter cup and then drinks out of the water fountain leaving peanut butter residue on it... and Coby touches it.... What if he wants to kiss the torah and somebody else touched it who just ate a butterfinger... Why should my child have to worry about dancing with other children knowing they ate his poison and remnants are definitely left on their fingers? Why should we need to fear a reaction on what is supposed to be a joyous holiday? If OIT works we would not have to fear touch or airborne reactions. He can enjoy dancing around on Simchat Torah and perhaps even eat a few of those treats without fear of having to be rushed to the hospital. How amazing would that be?
Meanwhile my prayers go out to the above child. I hope she is okay and I hope the world get clued in...
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