All of the kids were having a great time and having dinner. After dinner the kids were ready for the cookies for desert. Alex took a bite of one of the cookies that we didn't think had peanut butter in it and immediately had a reaction. I am so proud of him for telling me right away that he didn't like the cookie and that his mouth hurt. He started to get sick. His face wasn't blotchy or anything at this point but he was very upset and uncomfortable. We gave him the epi-pen at home and Ryan took him to the ER along with his second mom, Amy. I stayed back with Eli and Ben. We figured with only taking one bite of the cookie that he would be fine and they would be back in 90 minutes or so.
Unfortunately, we were sorrily mistaken. After getting checked in at hospital in Shakopee, Alex had a horrible reaction. His entire body broke out in hives and he was red and blotchy from head to toe. He was uncontrollable. The doctors couldn't get it under control. After about an hour and a half, they sent him via ambulance to Children's hospital in Minneapolis where they were better equipped to monitor kids. Alex's highlight of the evening if you ask him was the ambulance ride once he figured out he was actually riding in one.
I met them at Childrens and Alex was trying to hard to be a trooper. All of the medicine had calmed him down. He kept asking the doctors if it was bed time. He was so exhausted but refused to give in. He told the doctors to let him know when it was time for him to go to bed. It was 3 hours past his bedtime at this point.
When they finally wheeled him to his room for the night, he was still trying to be in good spirits despite all of the shots, poking and prodding he had. The redness and itchiness was starting to subside. He made the nurses laugh by saying "this place is amazing" as he was going for a ride through the hallways in his 3rd bed of the evening.
Ryan went home after Alex and I got settled into his room. We pretended we were on a camp out and told ghost stories. We talked about how much fun it was going to be to eat breakfast in bed the next morning and that he could order whatever he wanted. The sprinkle doughnut was a must.
They wanted us to stay through the morning for additional monitoring and to make sure there wasn't any delayed reactions. Fortunately there was not and he was able to get out of bed and go to the play area. We were so happy to leave the next morning. They sent us home with some steroid medicine to keep the rash away but said we could monitor him at home.
Ryan and the boys came to visit while we were waiting to get checked out. Alex was so happy to see Ben. During the entire ordeal he really wanted to see his big brother.
Megan and Luke came to visit as we were getting sprung for the hospital. We all went to McDonald's for some greasy comfort food.
Alex's new bear from Megan and Luke- he named him Alex.
After lots or rest, hugs, kisses and snuggles he was starting to get back to his old self!
I took Monday off of work to have a special Alex and mom day. The poor kid went through so much I figured it was the least I could do. We went to McDonald's for breakfast, followed by the library, cosmic mini-golfing and lots of play-dough at home. It was a fun day!
We are so happy you are doing better Alex! As scary as the entire ordeal was, this was a good reminder how serious your peanut allergy is. I vow to never leave home without an epi-pen again when you are with me. I am so sorry you had to go through that and hope you never have to experience it again...for your sake as much as mine.
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