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When we were asked if we wanted to take part in the Holland & Barratt bake off challenge, we didn’t hesitate to say yes. Many of the people who took part created beautiful bakes, and showcased them with some stunning photography. We decided to do things a little bit differently here.

Dearest Callum,

I don't normally write posts like this, and I'm not sure why this year I'm quite so emotional about it all!

When I started this blog, I had no idea it would reach what it has achieved so far. It's truly humbling to see how far it has come in such a short space of time, and I am blown away by the support it receives!

As anyone dealing with allergies will tell you, there are certain times of the year that you really wish didn’t happen. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that you wish you had a fast forward button so that you could skip them!

I'm typing this post whilst stuck in traffic, on the way home after a lovely family day, with tears of laughter rolling down my slightly sunburnt face!

Is it really possible to go on holiday when dealing with multiple severe allergies?

As regular readers will know, the past few weeks have been geared to preparing for, and then attending the Allergy Show. It’s been a hectic few weeks, and a couple of weekends ago saw the biggest Allergy Show to date at Olympia.

Callum and I attended on 2 out of the 3 days it was running, and understandably were rather exhausted by the Sunday. It should have set alarm bells ringing for me, when Callum gets really tired, he is more susceptible to things happening. 

I wasn’t on the ball! In fact, I was so far off the ball, and I’m still feeling so incredibly guilty!
On the Friday of the show, Callum had started to complain that he had sore hands – nothing new there. He suffers with severe eczema, and one of the first places it hits is his hands because they are understandably constantly in use!

By the Sunday, his hands weren't looking too great! An hour of playing in the garden saw them looking even worse!

Come mid afternoon, things started to go horribly wrong!!

When Callum gets ill, he plummets really quickly, usually within a matter of hours!

Sadly, this was no exception.

Within the space of just 2hrs, his hands went from raw, to covered in green blisters, accompanied with a honeycomb crust....., and he was running a high fever, had become lethargic and was difficult to wake!

All the classic symptoms of a nasty staph infection, which if we don't control quickly, in his case, usually progresses to a blood infection.

I immediately called 111 to ask for advice, and based on the notes held on Callum and his condition, we were given an immediate appointment! (He becomes severely ill so very fast, they want to see him as soon as I mention that I'm unable to control any infected eczema).

It turns out my gut instinct was sadly very right! 

It was indeed staph, and spreading fast!

His fingers were a deep red colour, oozing and weeping pus in every crack of skin. 

They were so swollen they looked as if they'd been bound by twine!

Callum was in so much pain, it was all he could do not to whimper permanently, and this was after as much antihistamine, calpol and ibuprofen as he was allowed!

The poor kid!

He was immediately prescribed a strong course of antibiotics to try and combat the infection.

They weren't strong enough!

Within 24hrs, we were referred to A&E, where they wanted to admit him for iv antibiotics. They were at the point of putting in the canular, when a senior consultant advised they had no beds, doubled his dose of antibiotics and sent us home. 

I was concerned and nervous to say the least, but home is a far nicer place to be when feeling poorly, so off we went!

By the end of the next day, it was clear the drugs were working, thank goodness!

Callum was on strong antibiotics for 2 weeks to clear the infection, and all looked well before we went on holiday!

The antibiotics were completed 2 days before we left, and we were all hopeful the infection wouldn't return!

Fast forward to today, just 1 week later....

Callum has spent the last 5 days playing in sea water on and off, never longer than 10-20 minutes so his skin doesn't dry out.

The dreaded infection is returning! There are little green spots appearing on his little fingers, along with the honeycomb crust!

Can you bloody believe it?!

I could literally cry!

We're on holiday, the poor kid deserves a break!

I deserve a break!

I really hate eczema!

And I feel so much damn guilt that inspite of everything I know, all the drugs we have, I am still powerless at times to be able to help! 

After a very busy few months, the hubby decided a couple of weeks ago that we needed some time away to recharge our very depleted batteries!

I have to say, he is right!

I feel utterly worn out, and in serious need of some r & r! 

The past few weeks in particular have certainly taken their toll. Don't get me wrong, the way the company is growing is absolutely fantastic, you just can't sustain it when lacking in energy, especially when in and out of hospital with an ill allergic child.

So, earlier this week, hubby confirmd he'd booked the cutest cottage in Cornwall.

Amazing and scary in equal measure!

Any allergy parent will tell you, it's not just a simple case of going away when allergies are involved! Going abroad was out of the question because little dude just isn't stable enough.

Having a 'stay cation' still brings its own challenges:

  • Where's the nearest hospital?
  • Do I have all the necessary meds?
  • Will the weather cause problems?
  • What's the pollen count going to be?
  • Is there anything nearby that could set him off?
  • Can I feed him safely?
  • Do I need to bring the kitchen sink?

Ok, so I jest with the last point, but you get where I'm coming from! 

Gone are the days where you pack a bag, jump in the car and see how the day pans out. Everything is meticulously planned, hopefully with nothing missed out, and with no nasty surprises!

Ok, that's enough of the harder side of it, onto the nice stuff now!

Cornwall is a stunning part of the world. I'm really looking forward to coastal walks, days on the beach (weather permitting), breathing clean fresh sea air, and more!

We're staying really close to Padstow, so being a foodie, I'm hoping we can visit Rick Stein's restaurant! In fact, scrap that, we WILL be visiting! Although I'm not too sure whether they'll be able to accommodate the little dude.... seafood, dairy, egg, wheat, tomato all being big no no's, along with the rest....! 

The past few days have been filled with non stop working, completing deadlines early (to cater for being away), putting together ideas for new clients, washing endless piles of clothes, collecting back up meds for little dude just in case anything happens while we're away, oh and occasionally trying to remember to breathe! 

And now, we're en route, the kids are fasto in the back of the car, the hubby is happy as the sun is shining, and I'm happy because we've successfully managed to feed Callum at a wetherspoons pub on the seafront at Burnham-on-Sea.

Actually, I can't just leave it at that. 

They were fantastic!

The team were extremely accommodating when Callum's allergies were explained, and bent over backwards to do everything possible to keep him safe! 

The only option available to him was grilled chicken breast, jacket potato and corn on the cob.

He scoffed pretty much the whole lot!

That tells me everything!

Thank you wetherspoons for having friendly, helpful and kind staff who are willing to stop and give you 5 minutes of their time to understand the situation and offer a really good solution!

It's been a great start to what I hope will be a wonderful family holiday! 

This weekend saw the return of the Allergy & Free From Show to Olympia in London. It is Europe’s largest free-from event, and this year saw its largest attendance to date, with 221 exhibitors all keen to show their wares. As allergies become more and more prevalent, companies are finally beginning to tap into this huge market, and when looking past the gluten free trend and lifestyle choice, are realising there are many more allergies out there that need to be catered for.

  
The past few weeks have been all about The Allergy Show at Olympia! Lots of exciting things have been going on behind the scenes here at Intolerant G HQ, which we'll explain more about very soon!

If you were at the show, did you spot Callum and myself in our special blue t-shirts?

We'll also be writing up our review of this years show this week, packed full of information, new products, exciting developments within the allergy world, and more! 

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