What happened to this little bean?
God, just look at those chubby cheeks and arms..
And even more so, look at my clean house - Holy Moses - haven't seen THAT in a LONG time - ha ha.
So we met B's teacher on Monday. She is so much warmer and nicer (frankly) than her Kindergarten teacher! She's nervous about B's peanut allergy, but she wasn't defensive about it. She just wanted to know what we needed to do to keep B reaction free. It couldn't have been a better meeting (I asked her all of these questions). I know, we'll see how things go over the course of the year, but it is a great start.
I just finished putting together 4 epi kits (epi pen, benadryl, doctor's note, and medication approval note) for different locations on site at school: Her room, Main Office, Library, and a Traveler (that will go with her to PE class and/or any other unexpected location). I'm not doing one for the lunch table this year. Why? Well, her class is right in front of where they eat. So if there's an issue, the staff and volunteers will know to go to her class to get her meds. The office is right nearby too. Also, last year it got put out on the table where they eat lunch. In the winter it isn't really an issue, but when it's sunny - i don't need to tell you guys - the meds are shot if they get hot. I did, however, put a benadryl single dose in her lunch box. It helps that I'm working lunch duty 2x week this year. One day is a minimum day (no lunch) and we'll keep our fingers crossed for the other two each week.
And here's where the frustrating part comes in. I called our allergist over a month ago asking for a prescription refill for epi pens and a doctor's note telling the staff when to use the epi and when to use benadryl (if anyone's interested i can post the copy of the letter - just leave me a comment on this post). Simple, right? Just redate the letter from last year and update the benadryl dosage if necessary to account for weight gain.
Nope, not simple enough for her.
I get there today (I know, nothing like waiting til the last minute) and she didn't leave me the letter. Instead she left a one page "allergy plan" that didn't give any actions, dosages, doctor's name/signature, or clinic location. What the hell?? It's not like she was new. So I left a not-so-nice message on their voicemail today asking them to just recreate the letter - i didn't ask for an allergy plan, but thanks anyways. I'm not leaving anything to chance so I'm having my husband drop off a copy of last year's letter at the allergists on the way to his office.
So in those packs I have the old letter. It'll do for one day. And then I get to go and replace all the letters. These people are going to think I'm crazy.
And I am, a little. Aren't all FA moms a little bit?
Back to school hit me hard last year and it's hitting me hard this year as well. It's not enough that we have to worry about our kids fitting in, liking their teachers, doing their best job at learning. We worry about each and every phone call we get, worry about every possible scenario that could happen, and try to anticipate it ALL, all the time trying to be calm.
It's exhausting.
I hope you are all handling the pressure well!
6 comments:
Thank you for this post. It makes me feel so normal. Just last week I expressed how worried and nervous I am about my son starting 1st grade. The response I got was, I thought last year went well and you wouldn't be as worried.
THIS is me, too: "Back to school hit me hard last year and it's hitting me hard this year as well. It's not enough that we have to worry about our kids fitting in, liking their teachers, doing their best job at learning. We worry about each and every phone call we get, worry about every possible scenario that could happen, and try to anticipate it ALL, all the time trying to be calm."
I just need to know that I am a normal PA mom sometimes. Thanks!
My daughter is starting all day every day Kindergarten this year and I feel as if I have been put through the spin cycle. She went to 1/2 preschool at the same school last year, but I didn't have to deal w/ the lunch situation & specialists (computer, art, etc.). And snacks were purchased by the teacher so every Monday I would check out the snacks for the week and all was good to go. So far, the new teacher and the principal have been really receptive. The school rule is that the epi has to be kept in the office which is right next to her classroom. But, someone told me that it is our right to have it in the classroom?? Does anyone know if this is true?
We live in Indiana and my second grade FA daughter carries her Epi on her at all times. We have a second one in the nurse's office just in case. She also carries Benadryl and her Allergy Action Plan.
Good luck with school. Hope it goes well. I always have anxiety because of the allergy issue (nuts) with my daughter.
Linda
You have done a marvelous job! I am really inspired with your work.
A new concern: my 8 yo daughter went to gymnastics with a friend last night. After class, the friend's mom let the girls each get a handful out Skittles out of the candy machine--the old fashioned kind where you put in a quarter and crank the handle, and a handful of skittles pours out into your hand. They were two miles from home when my daughter somehow realized that she had bitten into a Reece's Pieces!!! She spit it out immediately and we got her Benadryl right away. She is fine. But just a shout out to other moms to be very aware of those machines.
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