I'm passionate about food allergy awareness- I just had new awareness yesterday. Sharing this [very long] story in the hopes that it helps others as well.
I consider myself and my family extremely well-educated regarding food allergies. Even so- yesterday, Colten had an anaphylactic reaction; his first since he was 1yr old. He's ok now, but it was hands-down the scariest day of our lives.
On a Boy Scout hike with his patrol group, he walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. They all had a cookie to celebrate their success. Colten asked if it had nuts and was told no... it turns out we later confirmed there was walnut in the cookie. There are a number of things that went right and went wrong from this point on.
Colten called us and left a message to say he ate a cookie and his throat was itchy. We didn't hear the phone since we were at an event. Matt picked up the message a little later, called back- but no answer. He immediately started driving to the bridge and I headed to the hike meeting location.
Along the way, neither of us could reach him nor did we know exactly where he was along the hike. I was texting him "Colten are you ok/ Colten take your epi-pen/ Colten have a grown-up call 911." Still no reply. I tried another mom whose son was on the hike. No reply. I called 911 and started to let them know that my son might be having a reaction- and got a call from Matt that Colten was ok. I hung up with 911. A minute later, Matt called back- Colten had thrown up (second symptom, confirming anaphylaxis) and he'd instructed Colten to use his epi-pen. I called 911 again, staying on the phone (through the operator asking "what street is Golden Gate Bridge on?" Really?)
Arriving at the GGB Welcome Center, there were thousands of people- it was a sunny, 70 degree day in SF. Tourists everywhere. I'm screaming his name... I finally spotted them and ran over, with 911 arriving a few minutes later. In the ambulance, they set an IV, administered more meds, and monitored him. Seeing him stable, I finally took a deep breath. At the emergency room he had more steroids and fluids to prevent an allergic rebound (a second reaction that can occur when the epinephrine wears off). He was released a few hours later from the hospital- all is ok.
The most important thing about the day was that Colten carried his epi-pen. I can't stress that enough- it saved his life. Everyone (EMTs, ER staff) gave him huge props for carrying it on him- I was surprised (seems like a "given" to me) but apparently most anaphylactic patients in the ER either don't carry it on them, or had it but didn't use it. We were also very lucky that the adult with him helped to administer the epi-pen (he was too scared and unsure). Also, Colten called us when he first felt an itchy throat, giving us time to get to him and call 911. Lastly, when in the Presidio in San Francisco, I know to call 415-561-5656 from a cell phone for emergency services, not actually "911" unless from a landline (those calls go to CHP).
That said, there are some things we'll do differently moving forward. Colten called us once, but he didn't know to keep calling us until we picked up- he now knows that. Also, while he suspected it was a reaction, he didn't know that the "super itchy throat" was the beginning of anaphylaxis. He took some Benadryl- which is a step that gets mixed reviews- it slows the reaction but it can also mask anaphylaxis (making you think you're ok).
Also, we as parents have been very reliant on Colten now having a cell phone. And our tween/teen has been so independent and mature lately- we didn't get phone numbers of others on the hike. That's a mistake we won't make again. Knowing your child is in a life or death situation and not being able to reach him ("sorry I didn't pick up mom, but it was so loud on the bridge") is not a feeling I want to relive. In my mind I replayed allergy horror stories I've recently read, over and over.
In debriefing, Colten has also recognized another symptom he had at that time. He felt "worried" (which isn't an unusual feeling for him- but in this case, was likely a symptom- many say they feel "weird" or "like something bad is happening" during anaphylaxis).
He's fine now- happily granted screen time last night to rest and recover. He's headed to the Allergist today for a follow up appointment. We are lucky and blessed.
