Kids are a pain, no matter what age they are!

In the summer of 1986, the girls and I lived in an apartment complex in a second floor apartment. It wasn't anything special to say the least but it was ours. We had 2 bedrooms, a fully functional kitchen, bathroom,everything was cheerfully decorated and we had a balcony with a view of the front yard that was the only place that the little ones could play. It was hot in that apartment and a neighbours 14 year old offered to take the little ones out to play. I sat on the balcony watching as they frolicked in the sprinkler the superintendent had put out to water the only small patch of grass in the area. I think every child in the building was out playing that afternoon, skipping much needed naps because of the heat. There was laughter and the screams of childhood fun, everyone was having a brilliant sunny afternoon.
This was not to last very long....suddenly my little 2 and a half year old let out a mortifying scream and in less time than it took me to run outside to see what all the fuss was about she was down and out, unconscious. My heart was in my throat to see my little one lying there and all the little ones around were standing around in absolute silence with confused little faces, not understanding what was going on. Thankfully someone had the good sense to call and ambulance and although it was probably less than 5 minutes it seemed and eternity. Another Mom in the building had come to see what was going on. She was a nurse and she quickly determined that Aimee had been stung by a bee on the face and she was having an allergic reaction. A trip to the hospital, a shot of epinephrine and later treatment with benedryl saw my little one coming home from the hospital that same day, with a scheduled trip to the Children's hospital to see a pediatric allergist.

Needless to say that was the second scariest day of my life! Aimee's health as a child had given me the first scariest day of my life when she was 18 months old but that's another blog!

It was determined by the pediatric specialist that although it was certain that Aimee was allergic to some extent it warranted no further testing unless stung again. With that diagnosis we have lived in fear of bees/wasps. Never knowing what the next sting would bring.

Forward to Summer 2005, Aimee had made a decision that since she was unsuccessful at finding long term summer employment that a weeks long vacation with BoyFriend was on the agenda. Aimee spoke with our family physician and she prescribed an Epi Pen for emergency use if Aimee was to get stung in the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately, short term employment opportunity threw a wrench in her plans but no fear the epi Pen is good for one year and it provides a feeling of security through the summer evenings.

Well, last night it happened, while sitting outside during our favorite evening game of cribbage Aimee got stung by something. After the immediate panic of "OMG is she gonna die?" passed we realized that no epi pen was required. An immediate dose of antihistamine cleared the swelling at the sting site and relieved the full over hives that soon appeared. So, for now although we know that she had a reaction, we also know that it may not require the immediate necessity of having an injection administered.

Now I have lived through 3 scares with this kid! Will it ever end.....probably not!
As a mom we are always fearful of what could happen in our children's lives to disturb the natural course of birth, life and death.

Today I have her at my side at work and although she is still itchy, we know she'll make it through this scary life event as well!