Intermittence

I visited the allergist last Tuesday, and went back in Thursday for the report (and then some).

There is no short list, so I’ll hit you with the big list of things to which Chris is allergic…

• Birch
• Mesquite
• Black Willow
• Grasses (Bermuda, Johnson, Timothy, Bahia, and Rye)
• Lamb Quarters (a weed, apparently)
• English Plantain (another weed)
• Russian Thistle (tumbleweed!)
• Aspergillus Fumigatus (a fungus commonly found in the upper respiratory system of healthy adults)
• Mucor Racemosus (another fungus, found in soil, plants, and decaying fruits and vegetables)
• Penicillium Mix (a generic term for the airborne penicillium fungus we all know and love)
• Dust Mite Mix (that is, the mites and their poop)
• Chicken, Duck and Goose feathers
• Cat Pelt
• Whole Eggs

The good news is that the egg reaction was very minor. The bad news is that reactions to the rest were pronounced.

I’ve started my course of allergy shots: two per week for the next 30 weeks or so, followed by monthly injections until…well, I don’t know.

I’m not entirely pleased about the situation, but I did score a great vacuum cleaner to help the household allergen situation.

Q: A new mattress? I’m in the market (and I’m not going to count it as “not buying it” because this is an essential). Tell me more, please. (From Chris’s Mom)

A: Yes! It’s a viscoelastic memory foam mattress (like a Tempurpedic, but not nearly as expensive). It took Donnell and I a few days (weeks? feel free to chime in here, Donnell) to get used to the firmness, but now I am confident that we made the right choice. Once I factor out the allergy issues, I feel quite confident saying that I’ve been sleeping more comfortably than ever.

Q: A remote-controlled helicopter? Is it full-size (as in a drone) or is it a model? (Also from Chris’s Mom)

A: It’s a very small (7” tall) dual-rotor helicopter with two tiny propellers used to steer it around. I’m very pleased with it, although I still need to trim it up a bit to make it more stable. Very cool, particularly for an overgrown child like myself.

Q: So, how about your allergies and sinus issues? (From Chris himself)

A: I went to an allergist today and had my forearms injected with sixty different solutions. The most severe reactions were for dust mites and all four grasses. The test took place six hours ago, and the dust mite location is still raised and tender. I’ll have my first injection on Thursday, and will be having weekly injections thereafter for at least the next thirty weeks. Then the monthly maintenance injections start up. If this leads to continued relief, I’m all for it.