homeschooling it is...

Wow we've had a rough week.

Once again, Gabriel and I are incredibly blessed to have such an amazing auntie and uncle to support him when the going gets tough!

Gabriel's allergist reccommended that Gabriel be homeschool in October of 2010.  I resisted, but after ongoing reactions from school, I realized that homeschooling would be the safest alternative.
This brings us to today.  As a single income household, It can be a struggle, affording at home care (which is significantly more expensive than daycare), but we manage.  We have a wonderful Au Pair (nanny for another country) living with us for the year.  She understands Gabriel, is sensitive to his needs, and cautious with his health.  So far, so good!

In some recent phone calls to our local school district, I've learned that 'homeschooling' and 'the doctor said I need to homeschool' are significantly different.  Homeschooling means that you choose to keep your child home, therefor are responsible for their education, curriculum, and progress.  When the doctor says it's a must, our school district provides curriculum, a teachers instructions 5 hours a week, and all the benefits that are offered in public school, that my tax dollars pay for.  That god for the ADA and for the schools efforts in making this possible!

IN order for our Allergist to comfortably declare in writing that Gabriel must be comfortable, he insisted another round of testing.  This time, we tested his skin for contact allergens.  This does not test reactions to foods you eat, only reactions induced by touching.  Unfortunately, this test lasts 4 days.

The nurse- who has been applying Gabriel's allergy tests for 5 years now- Applied 20 patches of different foods to Gabriel's back, and secured it with paper tape, because Gabriel's skin is so sensitive.  Instructions were to come back in 48 hours for a reading, and then in 72 hours for a second reading.   Before we made our way out of the office, Gabriel squealed at how terribly itchy he was.

Day one- Doctor OKay'd benedryl during this test.  Thank goodness.  Gabriel slept a lot this day.  Woke up, itched and scratched, and went back to sleep.  He was uncomfortable, and I empathized.

Day two- Gabriel was itchier, so I upped the benedryl dose. (I hate having to do this.)  I hated the idea of going to work.  I know he's tough, his tolerance is high, and grins and bears it as best he can.  But Mommy could tell he was uncomfortable.  Hours later I get a phone call at work.  Gabriel can not stop screaming.  Not crying, whining, or whimpering.  He is screaming in pain and discomfort.  Knowing what his tolerance was like this made my sister more worried.   He was so focused on itching, and wiggling it looked like he was seizing.  I called the doctor and he approved more benedryl.  No relief.  I felt guilty, and my sister described this as torture.  I told her to remove the test.  His back was welted and blistered.  I came home.  The loving auntie was in sympathetic tears.  Gabriel was beginning to feel better.

Day three- The nurse reviewed the test today.  It was removed 14 hours early.The test was only left on for an unaccurate 40% of the required time.   She noted a significant reaction to oat.  Really Oat?  Oat, like in oatmeal bath, Aveeno cream, shampoo, handsoap, dog food, tortoise food, and cosmetics.  The most significant blistering was from the tape that the test was applied with.  Hypoallergenic, adhesive and latex free paper tape.

Day four- Final read.  Doctor reviewed the results and reminded me of the importance of avoiding contact with any of the reactants.  We talked about tape, and other options.  I asked about alternatives in the case of blood draws, his annual surgery, and IVs.  The only way to test for these tapes would be to perform another patch test, that would have to be attached with tape.  No thank you, we'll pass.

The Allergist wrote a note, prescribing Gabriel to be homeschooled.  We walked away as Gabriel skipped down the sidewalk, and showed off his sticker.  It was over, and he couldn't have been happier.

Watching him climb up the bike rack, and jump back down onto the sidewalk, I was reminded of how little we can tell about someone by looking at them.