tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post4974458840682679233..comments2024-02-04T07:26:05.237-05:00Comments on Polka Dot Overload | Sewing, knitting & embroidery projects by Mikhaela Reid: Sewing Without a Cat and Other StrugglesMikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-19632179330210558012012-08-25T23:38:26.967-04:002012-08-25T23:38:26.967-04:00This is a lot to deal with! Gaaaaah, parenting! It...This is a lot to deal with! Gaaaaah, parenting! It can be so hard! I'm glad your kitty had a nice place to move to, and I hope Z will really thrive in her new school. As she gets older, and understands her limitations better, hopefully her allergies will get easier to deal with. Frankly, toddlers are difficult to keep safe under the easiest of circumstances (like the diving out of the crib, a really not-fun stage in most toddlers' lives!). I'm hoping these transitions go as smoothly as possible.Inder-ifichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09724667602427496583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-2370159457700530362012-08-24T11:03:49.301-04:002012-08-24T11:03:49.301-04:00You've probably had a million people mention t...You've probably had a million people mention this, but the July New England Journal of Medicine had some interesting study results about eliminating egg allergies in children by giving them micro doses of egg white powder (in a hospital setting). I'm not sure if this is feasible for your family, considering how US healthcare works, but since you're in NY (which seems to have some awesome medical options) it may be worth seeing if any of the allergy specialists you are dealing with know of any similar studies going on in your area. birdmommynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-69149483839945912182012-08-22T16:00:04.717-04:002012-08-22T16:00:04.717-04:00Darling! I'm sending you hugs - I think you c...Darling! I'm sending you hugs - I think you could use a couple right now. Everything will work out, and if you need to lean on us for a little while, that's okay - that's what we are here for.Meg the Grandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05505371880343451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-14974145749787769642012-08-22T05:35:52.166-04:002012-08-22T05:35:52.166-04:00Hi! I don't usually comment but this post reso...Hi! I don't usually comment but this post resonated so to speak. I have life threatening food allergies too, to some fruits, almost all kinds of cheese and other random foods. Cheese is nowhere as crippling an allergy as nuts or corn but it's difficult to avoid in processed food and restaurants (I live in France) and I can't it something that has been prepared by someone who touched my allergens before... I had also severe asthma and eczema as a child. the eczema drastically improved with age (and I agree with the oatmeal suggestion, I also had an oatmeal bathpowder which was nice)... for the food allergies, I think the situation will improved with her age, only because once she is conscient about it it will be much less stressfull for you. My food allergies became life threatening at an older age than your daughter's, but I was still young and very aware of the danger, so I was cautious with food, and explained my condition to others, and carried my medications and epi pen with me at all times and knew how to use it myself and instruct others how to. I think kids are much more carefull than you'd think, and by explaining her, she will eventually understand... and allergies do change with age... I was allergic to cow milk for a while and it subsided but as I grow I can eat less and less raw fruits... Anyway, I wish you the best of luck! your daughter is adorable... maybe being in touch with other allergic adults and parents of allergic kids can help? none of my parents have food allergies but they managed to keep me safe!Cynthianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-35579201058138848532012-08-20T22:30:07.993-04:002012-08-20T22:30:07.993-04:00I wish I could give you a big hug right now, you&#...I wish I could give you a big hug right now, you're dealing with so much! I hear you about the tight budget. My oldest is starting a Waldorf school soon and we're going to have to tighten our figurative belts to be able to swing it. Add in that we don't eat any grains or legumes (those cheap meal fillers!) and I'm not sure how I'm going to feed everyone. I'm slowly building up cheap resources for food, like pastured beef heart for $1.30/lb instead of the usual cuts of meat. <br /><br />Best of luck for you!Kristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964580963048511157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-72132046923264382172012-08-17T17:20:12.291-04:002012-08-17T17:20:12.291-04:00Oh Mikhaela, my heart hurt so much for you when I ...Oh Mikhaela, my heart hurt so much for you when I read that you had to give up your fur baby...I mean, it hurt too when I read about your actual baby, but I don't have a child yet, so I have a little harder of a time empathizing with the allergy situation. I'm sorry to hear that things have been so difficult with all the things on your plate. I hope preschool is a positive (and safe) experience for Z, and that things settle down some soon!<br /><br />You can still have an honorary Sewing With Cats award! Really, I think there should be an even bigger one for Sewing With Small Children...Cation Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00785063344305810736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-90100591482411586332012-08-17T11:24:45.440-04:002012-08-17T11:24:45.440-04:00Oh, what a great idea! I did buy some oatmeal bath...Oh, what a great idea! I did buy some oatmeal bath to try for her—but I will try the minute-oats as well!Mikhaela Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-83853751253574065152012-08-17T09:57:21.880-04:002012-08-17T09:57:21.880-04:00My grandson was extremely allergic to peanuts when...My grandson was extremely allergic to peanuts when he was a toddler but thankfully he out grew the allergy by age six. I hope your daughter outgrows hers. It's so scary.BConkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12567728669689070443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-52597888394137656262012-08-17T02:50:29.017-04:002012-08-17T02:50:29.017-04:00I found it quite hard to send Lila to preschool, e...I found it quite hard to send Lila to preschool, even though she doesn't have any allergies.. I miss the special little world we sort of shared for a few years, but it's been really really good for her to get out and be with other kids. <br /><br />Totally hear you about the budget restrictions, too... I kind of don't mind *too* much being poor, there's "being poor" and "being impoverished" if you know what I mean.. <br /><br />Hope everything looks up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-24109197956312571202012-08-16T22:03:43.133-04:002012-08-16T22:03:43.133-04:00My daughter had a zillion dangerous allergies too....My daughter had a zillion dangerous allergies too. I can't even remember all of them. Eggs, dairy, corn (which is in everything), wheat, all legumes including soy and peanuts, all squashes and melons (including cucumber), bananas, chocolate, shellfish, beef, etc. my other daughter had a different list including tree nuts (but not peanuts) so we had two jellies to avoid x-contamination, a jar of pb, a jar of cashew butter, etc. we did send her off to preschool, and on drop off play dates, and she survived. I wrote a letter to all the parents in her preschool class each year, listing a couple of simple things she could eat (plain rice cakes, baby carrots) and asking them not to give her any other foods without calling me first. I also taught her to say no to any other food, or to ask to call me first. We had some mishaps and trips to the hospital, but it let her have a normal school experience. By first grade she had outgrown some of them, and she could read most labels for herself. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm sure you're really nervous, but it will work out. And, we found a babysitter for her who was vegan and used to reading all labels meticulously!flowergarden129https://www.blogger.com/profile/09720289234972793971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-86928448959826134522012-08-16T17:51:07.310-04:002012-08-16T17:51:07.310-04:00I lurk here a lot, but I just had to chime in on t...I lurk here a lot, but I just had to chime in on this post.. My son has some semi-severe allergies, as well as some mild-but-crazy-ones (chicken! kids parties are impossible!), but he also has SEVERE eczema. He was hospitalised for a week as an infant because we couldn't get it under control ourselves. He is almost eight now, and we still have all the steroid creams and clothes-ruining moisturising ointments. What I really wanted to say though was about bathing.. We tried a whole heap of soap-free cleansers with him, because soap made his skin worse, but he ended up being allergic to those too. The only thing what worked was an oat-based one, but it was crazy expensive.. so on doctor's suggestions we put a handful of minute-oats in the toe-end of cheap ankle stockings, tie it in a knot, and chuck that in the bath instead. Its been all we've bathed him with for the past 7 years. We still have to moisturise him like crazy, and the bathtub has to be thoroughly rinsed after he's been in it because it gets slippery from the oat-water, but his skin is a million times softer and no longer splits if you so much as look at it, he doesn't complain of being itchy so often, and he still gets clean. If Z is not allergic to oats, you may find that it helps soothe her eczema too.<br /><br />And :( about the kitties. Mine passed away last year.. My clothes have never been so lint-free, but my house feels so empty.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03589211988263088628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-16967432986785020552012-08-16T15:21:52.564-04:002012-08-16T15:21:52.564-04:00Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about Z's cat all...Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about Z's cat allergies. I'm very very allergic to my cat too, but I couldn't bear to give up Bean. In fact I was so allergic that my doctor (who teaches at Columbia) asked if she could use my allergy test as an example in her classes. Moving Ronnie was probably the wisest decision, but for me I'm constantly washing bedsheets, not picking up Bean, and have invested in a steam cleaner. <br /><br />And I totally hear you about the budget! I cook and bring lunch to work everyday, and use mint.com religiously. So far it's helped tons.. this is an expensive city! Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14604732687253434380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-90117595916943707312012-08-16T14:02:37.544-04:002012-08-16T14:02:37.544-04:00Oh my goodness, this is a lot to bear! Kitty heart...Oh my goodness, this is a lot to bear! Kitty heartbreak and constant worry of your child, it can really get to be too much. <br />I have gone through so many of these challenges with my own allergies and people just don't know what it is to overhaul an entire family's lifestyle until you have to go through it. I just can't imagine how much harder it is with a little one who doesn't really understand why she can't have the things she loves. <br />You are so good at keeping a positive attitude, and it's true that there are bonuses like saving money when you don't buy prepared foods or go to restaurants. Just be sure to take good care of yourself, too, while you're taking care of everyone else!<br />Katrina Blanchallehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03300264690284771712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-38873670429187887212012-08-16T12:17:35.555-04:002012-08-16T12:17:35.555-04:00Scary is right! Z is getting to the point where th...Scary is right! Z is getting to the point where the gate that keeps her out of the kitchen may not be enough soon, so fridge locks may be in my future. Whenever she sees anyone else eating something different than her she says "Want to eat THAT!"... so more and more, we eat the same food she does. <br /><br />I agree on the budget... I do feel really pleased with myself when I see how much we've saved just by avoiding takeout and purchased lunches and expensive groceries for three weeks... it's like, $500 or something.Mikhaela Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-4322860645787437032012-08-16T12:15:02.988-04:002012-08-16T12:15:02.988-04:00Alas, the load concept is more for environmental a...Alas, the load concept is more for environmental allergies, I think—I don't know if it will affect her food allergies. But they tell me she may outgrown her egg and dairy allergies (though sadly unlikely to outgrow her sesame, mustard or nut allergies).Mikhaela Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-15766021323184829382012-08-16T12:13:50.492-04:002012-08-16T12:13:50.492-04:00thank you so much Debi! it means a lot! thank you so much Debi! it means a lot! Mikhaela Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-25043375463700501062012-08-16T12:13:33.943-04:002012-08-16T12:13:33.943-04:00Oh Brittany, I feel for you—it's so hard when ...Oh Brittany, I feel for you—it's so hard when your kid has more unusual allergies that no one is familiar with (I'm guessing people are surprised by the bananas, etc. when you try to explain). And you're so right—I just hug her that much more tightly!Mikhaela Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-8051777329746004982012-08-16T12:12:33.127-04:002012-08-16T12:12:33.127-04:00aw... you know how it is, then. hugs to you too! aw... you know how it is, then. hugs to you too! Mikhaela Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-78270026903557032862012-08-16T12:10:51.020-04:002012-08-16T12:10:51.020-04:00We totally do that soup/pasta sauce in the freezer...We totally do that soup/pasta sauce in the freezer thing too! Lots of chilis as well... big batches of beans... etc.Mikhaela Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-57464860306820972172012-08-16T11:23:56.989-04:002012-08-16T11:23:56.989-04:00Ugh, that's such a bummer about all baby Z'...Ugh, that's such a bummer about all baby Z's allergies. I have a friend whose son has a lot of life-threatening allergies too - and a lot of them are weird, not just peanuts or whatever - and he pretty much eats the same thing every day because his food is so limited. Now that he's a little older - he tries to sneak in the fridge to eat that stuff when she's asleep. He doesn't understand how dangerous it is, so she has to lock the fridge and pantry. A total nightmare. I can't even imagine how scary it must be to send your daughter off and just trust that her day care is going to be as careful as you are about what she puts in her mouth. You're very brave, because I don't think I could ever do it!!<br /><br />And I'm so sorry you had to rehome your cats :( The same friend had to rehome her dogs for the same reasons. It's such a bummer, but at least their new home is where you can still interact with them - it's not like you had to take them to a shelter.<br /><br />Good luck with everything! I put myself on a pretty tight budget a couple of months ago - for paying down credit card debt - and after I got over the initial "man this sucks I want to buy everything" it actually got a little fun to see how much money I could save :)LLADYBIRDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10409560091790703554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-3413434189197140822012-08-16T10:42:02.241-04:002012-08-16T10:42:02.241-04:00Alas, living without a kitty is a bit like living ...Alas, living without a kitty is a bit like living in a badly-kept motel - anonymous and dull :-(. At least it's good you get to visit still, and not to worry. But if it's any consolation, remember that allergies function by the load concept. Maybe not getting riled up by the lost furry beast will mean that Z's other allergies get better, and you won't have to worry so much about her at school.M-Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-41375395603235654672012-08-16T07:06:20.058-04:002012-08-16T07:06:20.058-04:00I am thinking of you and partly I can understand y...I am thinking of you and partly I can understand you: I am allergic to all shellfish and I know what a bummer that may be...<br /><br />Good luck and sorry to hear that you had to let your kitty go!<br />Hugs..Saranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-12128515956163962032012-08-16T04:36:02.940-04:002012-08-16T04:36:02.940-04:00Thanks so much for sharing! Sorry to hear you had ...Thanks so much for sharing! Sorry to hear you had to let the kitty go (there is something really special about being greeted by a feline friend) but it sounds like it will make a world of difference for Z. It must be very difficult to manage all of Z's allergies but it sounds like the preschool is stellar! Sending all my hugs your way!!!Debihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12668255845241284664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-40590408058655546612012-08-16T01:35:24.881-04:002012-08-16T01:35:24.881-04:00Wow, that is really difficult. My little girl has...Wow, that is really difficult. My little girl has severe peanut and tree nut allergies, as well as egg and milk allergies, which are not as severe. She's also allergic to avocados, bananas, and some other fruits. She has some infantile anorexia as well, so that makes eating a constant struggle. We just hope they'll grow out of some of the allergies. Even if they don't, it seems like kids are so adaptable and resilient. We love them anyway, and maybe even more, because of the challenges!Brittanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05602834938672079657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-21073982144549215282012-08-16T01:09:39.064-04:002012-08-16T01:09:39.064-04:00Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World all the time(si...Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World all the time(since we are vegan) they are way better than the cupcakes at Babycakes. I can never have any cupcakes left over to freeze. Maybe I need some willpower. It is awesome that you are being brave enough to Let Z go to preschool. Many of the allergy concerned parents choose my DDs preschool because it is a co-op and the parents are in the school as much as they want to be so their kids get supervised preschool.Cosmohttp://www.just-too-much.com/noreply@blogger.com