Loving....Late summer days

I cant believe just how beautiful it is today, after a week of rain, soup and heaters, today was gorgeous.

We took the opportunity to take the dog (who was so fed up with rain and not getting out for his good runs) down to the beach.

Now I think I live in just about the most perfect spot in the city.  At low tide, you can walk the whole way from NarrowNeck beach to Takapuna and that is just what we did.  Walking in the sun, looking out to Rangitoto with numerous yachts in the channel.  Yep, just perfect.

And I just love the rock formations around the beach here.  Forgot my camera but got a few shots on my phone.

Such fun to blow away all the cobwebs that had grown over the last few weeks.

Also loving the fun between big brother and little sister.

Thanks for reading.

Linking up with Things Im Loving this week

Barbs x.

It's so much harder with allergies

"It's so much harder with allergies"

That's what my 12 year old son said this morning.  

I was preparing them to go to the movies by themselves whilst I popped into work for a couple of hours (just a couple of minutes walk from the theatre).

They packed snack packs to eat and took water bottles.  I asked Dan if he knew what to do in case Emma had a reaction.  He got a real concerned look on his face.  I know the chances of her having a reaction were minimal, the food I packed was all safe for her, but you can never be 100% sure that there hasn't been a slight cross contamination somewhere.   You can never guarantee  that people next to you aren't eating choc-nut icecreams (double bad for Emma) or just munching away on nuts.  I know the risk of anaphylaxis to this kind of exposure is minimal, but there is always a chance. You can never be 100% sure of her safety, never.

I went through the emergency process with him.  If she complains she cant breathe get her out of the theatre at once, give her the inhaler, lie her down, call me, check for hives and swelling, give the anapen if needed, get someone to call an ambulance.  He went through how to give her the anapen.  

After his initial shock at maybe having to deal with an allergic reaction, I was amazed at how much he actually knew.  

Emma was really frightened at the thought of having a reaction when I wasn't there and offered not to eat during the movie!  She did have some biscuits (least risk) in the end, but saved her crackers and lollies until I picked them up.  And she didn't have a reaction.

But it brings it home, the constant worry of having a reaction.  

Something as simple as a trip to the movies turns into something so much more.

12 year old's know things that most kids their age don't even have to think about.  But they are growing up.  They are cutting those apron strings.  They want to do things by themselves like their friends do.

And it is so much harder with allergies...

Thanks for Reading

Barbs x.

Determination

Who would have thought that three kids born to the same parents would be so very different.

My youngest never ceases to amaze me with her shear grit and determination to finish a task.

Today she wanted me to do a jigsaw with her, but I was kinda busy so I challenged her to do it all by herself.

Even though she got frustrated at times, she worked at it and completed it.  

Yup, she is so different from her siblings.

Barbs x.

DISCHARGED!!!!!

Last week Emma went for her check up with Dr Purvis, her dermatologist.  This wonderful doctor is responsible for the Emma we now have.  Her ability to the recognise the severity of Emma's eczema and skin infections and suggest and encourage us to try a new treatment of immunosuppressant drugs has changed not only her life, but ours as well.  We no longer have a child whose whole life revolves around scratching until she bleeds and all the behaviours that go along with that.  We have a child whose skin is as good as it will get - it isn't perfect, it's still dry and always will be.  But the thought that we have won our battle against eczema is phenomenal.  Dr Purvis doesn't need to see Emma again.  I will always be eternally grateful to her and I encourage anyone with skin conditions to see her.

Before

After

Yup, it was worth it.

Thanks for reading.

Barbs x.

Blog Lovin'

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A bit behind the times, I know, but you can now find me on Blog Lovin'....

ANZAC WEEKEND....

ANZAC day is pretty important to our family.  My mother-in-law was in the WRAC's in England during WW2, her father lost a leg in the first World War war. My parents were youngsters during the Second World War in England and have many stories to tell of a time which to us is incomprehensible. My brother served in the Australian Army for about 20 years I guess.  We live in Devonport, home to the NZ Navy and know many, many navy families.

This year we attended the Devonport parade and service and then today took a walk around North Head, through some of the tunnels and checking out some of the guns and thinking of those who gave their life for us.

 

We Will Remember Them.

Thanks for reading

Barbs x.

And the result is.....

After much hype and excitement we got to Starship at 8.30am and after all the paper work was done, Emma got her first taste of Eggy muffins in 8 years.  Very tentative at first, she took the whole 1/16th of a muffin she was allowed and pronounced it to be "Yummy!".

The next bite 1/8th of a muffin 20 minutes later and all looked good. Emma is now using her ipod to time when she is next due a bite of muffin.

20 minutes later 1/4 of a muffin and a scratchy throat.  The allergy specialists are called and it is decided to continue with the challenge as Emma says her throat is okay now.

Another 20 minutes pass, no further symptoms so it is decided to go with 1/4 of a muffin rather than the 1/2 in case there is more reactions.

Within a few minutes she is complaining of a sore tummy.  20 minutes later a 1/2 a muffin is placed in front of her but she cant eat it and is pretty much curling up with tummy pain.  

The challenge is stopped, antihistamine given and the specialist called back again.

The nurse said that sore tummies are the most common reaction to a baked egg challenge.  The specialist is keen to reassess her in about 6 months with the view to trying it again.

So for now we have to say she Reacted to the challenge and we cant give her baked egg again.

Apparently they are not allowed to use the word FAIL these days, cause it might upset some people.  

Really?!?!?! 

Anyway the positive we take away is that she did not have an anaphylactic reaction, so that is one thing we can cross off the list.

And even though we are sad we can still enjoy a lemonade ice block, do some arts and craft and get a day off school.

Barbs x.