Countdown to OIT - 4 days!

It is with both excitement and fear that we prepare for the big day - day 1 of OIT - Oral Immunotherapy.  We have waited 2 years for this day and we are as ready as we will ever be.

The idea of not worrying every time my kids leave the house seems to good to be true.

The idea of not checking each label and calling or emailing each manufacturer to verify the product is actually nut free.

The idea of my kids not missing out on all of the fun and birthday goodies.  Sadly, they would have appreciated this so much more in elementary school during the many birthdays they were unable to partake in snack.

The idea of stopping at a bakery and buying anything without worry.

The overall idea of living life and not fearing every new food and every new situation.

The cost?

The Risk?

The cost is high.   A loss of a certain amount of freedom.

After each does (1 or 2 times each day) all 3 of my kids will need to not doing anything physically exerting in order to avoid raising their body temperature, metabolism, which in turn can trigger the body to react adversely to the dose. The "observation/inactive" period is 2-4 hours.  Two hours minimal and four hours is ideal.

Driving 1 1/2 hours one way to West Bloomfield seems to be a big deal, however before finding Dr. Mayer,  I was preparing to drive or fly across country if necessary.

The financial cost -- of which I have no idea.

The psychological cost.  Imagine the realization of eating poison - knowing it could potentially kill you.... that is what my kids will be experiencing.  Eating the very thing that is at risk for causing a life threatening allergic reaction.

This is at a much lower dose of course, and supervised by our allergist who has successfully desensitized people with very severe food allergies like ours.

God has led us to this place, and it is with a bit of anxiety we move into the beginning.

The beginning of new challenges, but also the beginning of reclaiming our quality of life.   My children deserve to live and not be in fear of everything they eat.

Here we go!