If you don’t have allergies, you may not understand.
A few years ago, I noticed that I was constantly exhibiting cold-like behavior. My primary doctor recommended that I make a trip to an allergist. Sounded great to me! I'd finally feel better; no sniffling, sneezing, itching eyes, etc. So I made an appointment and awaited my big day. It didn't bode well when, upon entering the reception area, I heard a child wailing down the hall. I couldn't imagine what they were doing to make a kid scream like that. Not a terrified scream, but a miserable one nonetheless. I would soon see...
Little did I know that the only way to determine whether a person is allergic to something is to stick the head of a "toothpick" into the person's back. A toothpick, might I add, that has been dipped in an allergen. Did you know that there are darn near 9o airborne allergens? Neither did I. That means 90 toothpicks stuck into your back, while your shirt is off in a cold room. Not cool!
Once they've stuck you full of holes, they leave you to sit for 20 minutes with clear instructions not to scratch. This is probably pretty easy for someone who doesn't end up being allergic to much. When you're allergic to a quarter of the things they've stuck you with, it's a challenging feat. So there I sat, 20 minutes later, dying to reach my hand around to my shoulder blade for a quick little swipe when the doctor stepped through the door. Low and behold, several of their "stickings" had become raised and red. Gee, what fun! (I was beginning to understand why the kid was screaming). My doctor proceeded to tell me that I was in fact allergic to several (major understatement) allergens and they needed to do further testing. Know what that means? I'll tell you. It means they repeat the toothpick process on a smaller scale on your arm, just to be sure. Boy was I enjoying my visit!
Needless to say, I made it through that day. I now know that I am allergic to many things easily treated by medication. The down side is that the medication has "possible" side effects that at times seem worse than the occasional sniffles. For instance, I get sinus infections... a lot! (kind of gross, I know) This is why I’m sitting at home on my computer rather than being out with my friends. Scripture says to "count it all joy" so that's what I'm going to do. Being sick is not generally joyful but at least I can laugh about my trip to the doctor... And when my head stops feeling like it's going to blow off like one of those helium balloons that's had it's plug pulled, I'll laugh at that too. You have to admit, it does make a funny mental picture :o) While you laugh, I’m going to go take more medicine and crawl back in to bed…
A few years ago, I noticed that I was constantly exhibiting cold-like behavior. My primary doctor recommended that I make a trip to an allergist. Sounded great to me! I'd finally feel better; no sniffling, sneezing, itching eyes, etc. So I made an appointment and awaited my big day. It didn't bode well when, upon entering the reception area, I heard a child wailing down the hall. I couldn't imagine what they were doing to make a kid scream like that. Not a terrified scream, but a miserable one nonetheless. I would soon see...
Little did I know that the only way to determine whether a person is allergic to something is to stick the head of a "toothpick" into the person's back. A toothpick, might I add, that has been dipped in an allergen. Did you know that there are darn near 9o airborne allergens? Neither did I. That means 90 toothpicks stuck into your back, while your shirt is off in a cold room. Not cool!
Once they've stuck you full of holes, they leave you to sit for 20 minutes with clear instructions not to scratch. This is probably pretty easy for someone who doesn't end up being allergic to much. When you're allergic to a quarter of the things they've stuck you with, it's a challenging feat. So there I sat, 20 minutes later, dying to reach my hand around to my shoulder blade for a quick little swipe when the doctor stepped through the door. Low and behold, several of their "stickings" had become raised and red. Gee, what fun! (I was beginning to understand why the kid was screaming). My doctor proceeded to tell me that I was in fact allergic to several (major understatement) allergens and they needed to do further testing. Know what that means? I'll tell you. It means they repeat the toothpick process on a smaller scale on your arm, just to be sure. Boy was I enjoying my visit!
Needless to say, I made it through that day. I now know that I am allergic to many things easily treated by medication. The down side is that the medication has "possible" side effects that at times seem worse than the occasional sniffles. For instance, I get sinus infections... a lot! (kind of gross, I know) This is why I’m sitting at home on my computer rather than being out with my friends. Scripture says to "count it all joy" so that's what I'm going to do. Being sick is not generally joyful but at least I can laugh about my trip to the doctor... And when my head stops feeling like it's going to blow off like one of those helium balloons that's had it's plug pulled, I'll laugh at that too. You have to admit, it does make a funny mental picture :o) While you laugh, I’m going to go take more medicine and crawl back in to bed…
