What to do about Thanksgiving...

Y'know...about my milk allergy. Well, maybe you don't know as there are really only a couple of peeps who stop by here.

A few weeks back...I became very ill.
And I'm sure it was my fault.
ok...it was my fault.

What with eating beignets almost every day I was in New Orleans and all...I figured that taking the benies every night would help. It did...for a while.

I was home for a couple weeks...and honestly, I try very hard to pay attention to what I'm eating, reading labels, asking what's in things...etc. Except for the beignets. *blushes* I don't even use "non-dairy" creamers in my coffee anymore due to the casein in them!

Anyway, I made some Betty Crocker peanut butter cookies. It had been well over a year since I've eaten them, but I truly didn't remember reacting to them! So the next morning, I have coffee...with my newly discovered flavored Splenda!...and promptly ate like 6-8 cookies (weren't very big and I like to dunk them).

Within about 1 hr, I knew I was in trouble! Mouth was tingling, tongue and back of throat started to feel thick, itching, GI symptoms ensued. I popped benedryl...and had to keep popping benedryl for 3 days straight!! I missed 3 days of work...which is a week's worth of work for me since I work 12-hr shifts!

Oy...that first night was the worst...perhaps that first time I ever felt I was having respiratory problems. I have family with asthma, and of course have worked with patients with respiratory problems...so I stayed calm...I knew I was getting air even though I was breathing a little off. So I chalked it up to anxiety...which still isn't good because it's our body's way of say "...Hey, dumbass...pay attention!!!"

I was NOT about to go into urgent care...the last time they told me I wasn't having a sinus problems and tried to gave me an allergy med for Hay Fever...which my allergist has clearly stated I'm not allergic too...maybe sensitive...but not allergic. So why go somewhere that believes it's all in my head, right? I couldn't get in to see my allergist, so I had to wait all weekend...hence, taking benies for 3 days...they throw me for a loop. Can imagine me trying to take care of patients??? O.o

So I finally got in to see my Allergist...he promptly scolded me for not going into urgent care or ER. He thinks I some how managed to max my "threshold" and my body just could not take it anymore after just one more cookie. *stupid sweet addiction. ok...beignets* He gave me a new-to-me med called Xyzal which is non-drowsy. Pretty much. And I've graduated to an epipen!! Yay me! *grumbles*

I have yet to pick up the epipen as my pharmacy had to order it...and life has gotten in the way of my picking it up. Needless to say, I've been very careful since. I'm thinking I should call the pharmacy in the am to see if they have it and just drag my procrastinating butt over there. ugh...I LOATHE driving over there unless it's for work.

I'm bound to end up eating something I shouldn't on Thursday. It's a family dinner...with milk to abound I'm sure. Mashed potatoes with milk, pies, goodies...and I'm sure there will be some mexican food with cheese aaalll ovah it!

My auntie said she would cook a bird since I asked...even though we don't need to. I just like the way she cooks for Turkey Day. I LOVE her stuffing! LOVELOVELOVEIT! We now put it in muffin tins so every one gets some crust...tip from Rachel Ray. lol We also do stuffing stuffed mushrooms...our version copped from Sandra Lee. lmao I will miss out on her greenbean casserole. I haven't spent time looking for a mushroom soup substitute. I love greenbean casserole. *pouts*

I'm like what should I do? Make my own meal (ok...help my Tia make me a meal)? Or trust I'll find something to eat and share dinner with all? I guess I could take microwaved potatoes with me so I can make my own mashed potatoes...I love potatoes. Definitely will take my own "butter" (Nucoa margarine). Making pumpkin bread...so I know I'll get one semi-sweet treat. Take my own vegie...since others will end up putting butter on theirs that I won't be able to eat. Rolls/bread...yeesh! Not even sure I should be eating my Stater Bro. brand anymore as I sometimes feel itchy/stuffy after eating it...it's manufactured where milk is used/processed.

I'm so pouting and ranting. Sorry everyone...just got to thinking about this as I was looking up my RSS feeds from foodies.

If I'm going to protect myself...I guess I'll have to take my own food...which so sucks. Thanksgiving is about the gratitude & family time...but it's also about the potluck food everyone brings to share! As much as I need to do it...it gets old asking peeps about every dish present..."Is there any milk or milk products in this? ...yeah...cheese, yogurt, butter, margarine, boxed mixes with milk proteins..." which is where I get glazed or irritated looks. *bone deep sigh*

And by the way...I'm still debating if the beignets were worth it. Well, Cafe du Monde stops were an essential part of my KCon experience after all! lol

I know...will I ever learn? ;p