OIT GRADUATE!!!!!

I cannot believe after all this time I am actually writing this blog post. I never thought we'd get here. I am having a hard time believing this really just happened.

We headed in to today's appointment unsure if we'd even be able to up-dose, but our fingers were crossed!

 As soon as he was called in the nurses were calling him SUPERSTAR and giving him high fives. They reminisced with us about his initial consult appointment back in October. One said how she remembers his day 1 and how he was beginning to react to such a miniscule amount---- but look at him now!

Jessi pre-checked him. I am telling you I was holding my breath the entire time hoping he'd be cleared to up-dose. She said he was congested BUT his lungs were clear. He got his peak flow up to his base-line reading and she said we can go ahead and up-dose!!!!

12 peanuts!

  The hour passed by uneventfully with nurses coming in to chat and congratulate him.

Some nurses (including non OIT nurses whom we never saw before) came by to check out his shirt.

"It's always fun to do the impossible."- Yes that's a Disney quote

One said, "You always had the best OIT shirts week after week and this shirt is the best one ever." As she walked out she told another nurse, "He is so cute, I am going to miss him."

Awwww.

Another nurse came in to say we had just 15 minutes left. "You're now in the home-stretch, nothing is going to stop you today Coby!"

I was so excited for him.... but was also quite nervous. After all this was a 2 peanut jump which he never had done before AND he was up-dosing with a cold. I was sure I was noticing a spot appear here and there. And so every few moments I examined him.

"Come here Yitz, I think I see a hive." (Yep Yitz worked from
home so he'd be able to be here for Coby's graduation.)

"Back away mom!"

Jessi walked in and answered all my questions---
She told us that after his 24 peanut challenge it would be okay enough if he stopped WEARING his epibelt and instead kept it with him in his backpack. Coby was stoked! He asked yet again if he can get rid of his bracelet. The answer was still no.
She told us whenever he gets sick we should call about down-dosing or skipping a dose.
She told us when we should go back on additional allergy medications.
She said we do NOT have to give him the equivalent peanut butter dose of 12 peanuts-pheeew, BUT we should keep peanut butter in his diet by partially dosing with it every now and then- meaning like 8 peanuts and 1 tsp of peanut butter every now and again.)

She then rechecked him. His lungs remained clear. His peak flow remained where it should. His pulse and blood oxygen were great. Of course I pointed out all the spots I saw and she believed he was okay enough to have "passed!"

The nurses came running in clapping for him and congratulating him as Jessi presented him with a diploma (which Dr. Selter forgot to sign, so we will be picking it up at his next appointment- the 24 peanut challenge), a card, a gift card and a draw string bag.

I gave them their thank you gifts & managed to keep it together when I made a little speech about how they gave him his life back. How they changed his life. How they saved his life. I hugged Jessi. They were hugging Coby but he began shying away as the adults were filling the room.

They then brought us to the graduation board to pose for Coby's picture that will be placed up on that board.

Only some of his amazing nurses. We are always the last patient so most of them had left already

And then it was time to go.
What are we going to do with all our Thursdays now?
Part of me is going to actually miss that place.
Cannot believe this really just happened.

When Coby arrived home, he walked into the living room to----

 If this doesn't deserve a celebration I don't know what does.

Against all odds he did it.

My warrior
My brave boy
My champion

He did it.