Standing at the counter of the Doctors office, we had just received a official diagnosis with the Allergy Specialist, when we were recommended a book purchase. It was a recipe book, offering "Allergy Safe" meals.
I had for two years leading up to this point become obsessed with baking, I LOVED cooking for my family, now we had a family member who was allergic to Peanuts, Eggs, Dairy, Wheat, Coconut, Honey and Intolerant to Soy, I had no idea what to cook. So, I brought the cookbook.
The first thing I noticed, the meals were only free from one or two common allergy foods per recipe, there were hardly any practical recipes for a family like us who had Peanuts, Eggs, Dairy, Wheat, Coconut, Honey and Soy to avoid.
I felt so utterly overwhelmed that it was my responsibility to keep my child safe. How was this going to work? How was I possibly going to be able to wrap my mind around the fact?
Emotionally and mentally drained I spent most of my free time reading labels, hunting health food stores, searching the internet and tasting/testing flours, replacers, recipes. Many times I would break and confess that I couldn't do this... I would look at my beautiful boy and feel guilty for wanting to crawl into a hole and not have to think about the allergies. He needed me. I definitely grieved for some months, our lives have forever been changed.
Fast forward to now. Here is where the encouragement comes.
Although it's hard and draining always needing to be prepared and organized with food and meals, it becomes so normal that, you begin to feel normal, slowly you forget about life before food allergies and the fear of a reaction becomes only the vigilant reminder, it doesn't hold you back, you become aware, responsive and knowledgeable. You finally become a Allergy Mum.
Caroline.
No comments:
Post a Comment