Doctor's Update

As you know, last week we had Jaelyn's six month appointment. At the appointment, I showed the doctor a photograph of a rash Jaelyn got after trying some milk-based formula. She decided we'd better order some tests to see if it was a milk allergy like she suspected.

The doctor called today with the results. Jaelyn tested positive for a milk allergy as well as an egg allergy. The good news is most children who have these allergies grow out of them by the time they are about 2 years old. Also, she tested negative for any nut allergies which are very serious. That was a relief. Thank You, Lord.

This is going to mean a bit of a lifestyle change for us. We'll have to be very diligent about reading labels as Jaelyn gets into more table food. Right now I am making her baby food, so we don't have as much to worry about. However, the doctor said I should also stay away from milk and eggs as long as I'm nursing, so the label reading begins now. (I'm still nursing morning and bedtime.)

She prescribed an epipen and told me to pick up some Benadryl and to always have it on hand, just in case Jaelyn has a reaction. She also gave me the address of a reliable website to read more about food allergies. I glanced at it and it looks like a great source of information including cookbooks and educational materials for purchase. I'll be spending a lot more time on that site in the days to come.

So, it's not great news, but it could be a lot worse. We will go through some inconvenience for a while, but Jaelyn is TOTALLY worth it.