That’s a pretty picture up above isn’t it? Beautiful water, reflection, trees...
That’s why its so hard to believe that something so beautiful can cause me so much discomfort. Trees, gorgeous, green, stately, graceful trees. Oh grass, and apples, potatoes, and eggplant. I mean who is allergic to apples, and carrots?
Well...me.
I think that of all the serums they guinea pigged me with, I reacted to each and every one. But the absolute worst were tree pollens, and grasses. We are talking out of the stratosphere, over the top reactions.
That’s not good news for a gardener. How do you avoid trees? I love trees.
So that explains a lot, why I had such a bad rash all summer on my face. Why I couldn’t go outside at all this year, and why things I ate bothered my skin. I am allergic to almost everything. Wow, it feels like that.
When the allergist hands you a sheet of paper, that they normally circle a few items on that you might be allergic to, and each group is circled. You are in trouble, deep, no more gardening until they get this figured out trouble.
No more potato chips, no more tomatoes, no seafood, no fun.
Allergy shots here I come. They are not cheap, but the alternative he told me, was Asthma. No thanks, so twice a week for ? who knows how long.
After all, I love gardening, and I love trees, so what should a gardener do?
BTW, I am only slightly allergic to cats! Whoooo hooo! Because like I told the allergist, there was NO way I was giving Boo another home.
Never, call me silly, but I love my Boo.
Even if it did mean living with allergies.
So who else out there is living with severe allergies, or taking allergy shots? I would love to know if they work.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
.
I'm so sorry. This really is a big deal -- especially for someone who loves nature as much as you do. I'm hoping the shots will be well worth the effort and that you'll be able to really enjoy what you love once again.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Jen
ReplyDeleteWho knows - there may be something out there you are not allergic to that you really love ;)
Hang in there - sometimes these things subside
Your first photo is gorgeous, Jen. I'm glad you're less allergic to Bootsie than to other things. Mr. Sorry is allergic to dogs and we have three, so he lives on nasal spray and pills.
ReplyDeleteI have minimal experience with these types of allergies....I do however believe in benadryl for most allergies, it even helps my son with his asthma related allergies...it's probably not strong enough for you and if it was you would be sleeping all the time. It is however a neutralizer and not addictive. Okay, that's my redneck two cents worth. Keep us up to date on how all of this turns out. Sending positive thoughts to you Jen.
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely bothered by the end of the summer grasses, etc! It's a bummer, isn't it? Love your photos! Take care! ♥
ReplyDeleteHow terrible for you Jen. I know you love the outdoors. Hope the shots work for you so you'll feel better and can enjoy the outdoors again sweetie.
ReplyDeleteJ~
ReplyDeleteI don't take the shots.. yet!
I do start my morning with an allergy pill...
otherwise, I could not function..
so far, so good!!
warm sandy hugs,,
Loui♥
I developed allergies in my late 40's. Went through the testing and found out I was allergic to mold, dust mites and cat dander. Dust mites and mold are basically everywhere on earth -lol.
ReplyDeleteSo I did the allergy shots for 3 years. It didn't work for me. It does work for some. Now I just take an over the counter allergy pill on my worst days.
Your pictures are beautiful. Love the reflection.
Penny
Also wanted to say that my health insurance paid for 100% of my shots....
ReplyDeleteWhat?!? No potato chips? That's just wrong.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least you know what you're dealing with, right? And, I'm glad to hear Gar wasn't on that list.
Oh I totally think that if you can't eat potato chips the doctors are way out of there! I mean aren't potato chips a staple of life?
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling that I need to change my sidebar to "we have dreams of owning a farm" and adding a part about how I will have to stay indoors with the air conditioner on all year round. That's the life, LOL.
Jen
What a bummer! I thought I had yucky allergies but they don't even come close to that. I have zero food allergies besides Morels.
ReplyDeleteI hope those shots work fast so you can get back to enjoying life again.
Oh My..it sounds like the years of working with plants have caught up with you..Geraniums still make me sneeze and feel yucky. OK..you can live with this.. I do..first things first..get rid of every plant inside your house..and I do mean everyone of the little buggers. Next on your list..use only laundry soaps free of perfume, dye and color.
ReplyDeleteYour body needs the time you spend indoors as the recoup period from the allergins out of doors.
Take the allergy shots..they may help you tremendously!
I am allergic to many foods..strawberries and pineapple especially. My Dr did some special blood tests..one vial of blood for each specific test and it was sent to a special lab..it was very expensive. The good news was I am not allergic to tomatoes! mushroom and celery are not tolerated well either.. I rarely eat any kind of salad or hotdish at potlucks..
A food diary may help you discover which foods are worse than others.
You are gonna be just fine..this just takes a bit of getting used too..yes it is a good thing that you are not allergic to Gar or Bootsie.
Far Guys shaving cream makes me sneeze..LOL..:)
Oh no, poor you! I'm allergic to birch pollen but that season is a short one. I know plenty of people with severe allergies to grass, tree and so on. Pills and injections mean they can live an outdoor life! So, hang in there - there is HOPE!
ReplyDeleteOh, you poor thing! That is awful for a gardener and someone who likes to eat like me. I wonder why it hasn't bothered as much until now? Well I am glad that the shots will help you.And I agree at least you are not allergic to Gar and Bootsie.
ReplyDeleteas soon as i am done nursing jack i am calling the allergist. my mom and brother both get shots and they work wonders for them i hope yours do the same!!
ReplyDeleteHeartfelt hugs, dear Jen. I'm so sorry to hear of your severe allergies to things you so love. My husband had childhood asthma (lots of shots) but now pretty much under control (only inhaler when needed) unless near cats & dogs (insect stings), which give him shortness of breath. He played baseball, basketball, and football in high school and scholarship football in college, tough during allergy seasons. (His sneeze attacks do rock/shake the house :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you do it.
ReplyDeleteIt's just not right !
Can understand common stuff but foods also ?
Think if I had a rash all over my face....
I'd just have to cry.
I hope you get some relief soon!
ReplyDeleteI only had allergies when we lived in Iowa...
I don't know what it was up there that just made me itch and sneeze.
Miserable stuff.
My shoulder swelled up like crazy for dust mites and grass pollen. I was very reactive to some tree pollens a few years ago, but then we moved from California to Washington and I didn't react as much to the tree allergen mix they use up here.
ReplyDeleteI use Flonase nasal spray and take generic Claritin each day, and that usually controls my allergies. Sometimes I have to use eye drops. I don't sleep with the windows open in summer when grass pollen is high, and we bought a very expensive air filter for our HVAC system and a vacuum with great suction. That seems to help, but I can see my kids developing allergies as they get older. I'm considering allergy shots eventually, but right now the flonase and claritin are OK. Claritin helps my skin stay calmer - otherwise I'd be itchy a lot. Flonase is the best thing for an itchy, runny nose. Good luck, I totally understand!
Well first, Jen, I'm sorry to hear about all of these allergies! It sounds depressing--and dull! However--if the dr. suggests shots, by all means give them a try. My husband had allergy shots from his childhood up until a couple of years after we were married--and the allergies no longer showed up on tests! I never had allergies until we moved to VA...at which point I started the shots. Last year I was tested and no more allergies! My son has asthma, and gets allergy shots 3 times weekly...and has for a number of years. My hope is that when he is older, he'll no longer need them. So, hopefully they will help! I don't know about all of those food allergies, though...wow, that's a lot! Let's hope you will be able to find some 'good' food that you enjoy. Your health is so important! Feel better, Jen;-)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. it's my home page now. i just read your post on allergies and i just wanted to let you know something that might be important for you. when i was in college, i had really terrible allergies, i mean really terrible- sinus problems, breathing problems, rashes all over the place etc. i went to an allergist and the tests showed i was allergic to almost everything. i signed up for the allergy shots and got much much sicker. i went to another doctor-recommended to me- and she was horrified that the first doc had put me on allergy shots when my immune system was already compromised. it turns out you have to be relatively healthy to tolerate the shots without irritating your allergies even more. just something to consider. it took years to get better, and i never finished the shots, but i'm not allergic anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dilemma! A gardener with a green thumb that's allergic to what she grows... that's tragic irony right there. I wonder, if you get your dream of moving to a farm in a different climate would that make a difference for the good? I know a lot of people that have never had allergies in their lives come here to the SF Bay Area and suddenly they are riddled with allergies. I'd be like you... I'd take the shots and avoid the asthma.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Jen, poor you - I hope the allergy shots work.
ReplyDeleteI developed asthma as an adult when we lived on the eastern side of Rotherham, fairly close to the town centre and between two main roads. Once we moved to Chesterfield,lived a bit further out and on the west of the town (where our prevailing winds come from) my asthma vanished.
Hope you start to feel better soon.
My daughter, who is almost 30, tested allergic to loads of things when she was 2. Except cigarette smoke, go figure. Anyway she took the shots for 2 years and very seldom has any problems now. She tested positive to grass, trees, dust, mold, wheat, sugar, milk. It was a difficult time and there weren't as many allergy free foods available then as there are now.
ReplyDeleteI didn't use to have allergies but have developed them, so I take zyrtec every morning and night which helps a lot.
Good luck with the shots. Keep us posted.
Oh man, poor you!!! I thankfully have no allergies that I'm aware of...might actually be a blessing if I was allergic to some foods so I wouldn't eat them and lose weight easier but my luck I'd be allergic to everything I love (like you)Hope the allergy shots help you, can't imagine what a prison it must be like to not be able to deal with the things you love and girl- I'm so like you, if I was allergic to my dogs I'd pop allergy tablets and keep each and every one!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy niece, after decades of battling. Stopped eating ... and lettuce, would you believe. Over time you add things, one by one, slowly, carefully. No wheat or eggs, so after lunch she got strawberries and cream. You will get there. Knowing what makes your skin scream STOP, is half the battle.
ReplyDeleteno shots, but prescription nose spray is my new friend. my mildew allergy caused severe migraines, but instead of 2-3 a week, i'm down to 1 every 2-3 weeks...and i can BREATHE.
ReplyDeletetry the shots or spray...*whatever to feel better*
Oh Jen, I'm sorry. I do hope the shots work well for you and I am so thankful you are not terribly allergic to cats. I know Boo is a special part of your family. Keep us posted on how you are doing.
ReplyDeletePoor you! How awful to have so many allergies. I keep being told that my chronic sinusitis is probably caused by allergies and will have to take the tests one day too. I'm looking into Vitamin D3 to help. I'll let you know if it does. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteYour photography has changed so much over the years. I love to see how you have grown in your talent - not that it was 'bad' in the beginning. Something about your latest shares makes me stop and really look deep. I feel like I'm in the green in your world. Thank you for sharing and your passion shows in your work.
ReplyDeleteHappy Autumn - another photo nut! Bren
So sorry, Jen. Sounds like you better try the shots... you have such a good attitude. You are inspiring. Keep Smiling!
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if you have read any of these kinds of books, but there are many out there that talk about how our dis-eases can manifest out of our state of mind. That sometimes things like allergies to something specific can pop up because we are not following our inner calling, and it is our bodies reflection of that feeling of lack. So perhaps you have developed an allergy to the plants because your deepest desire is to go start your farm in the Okanogan, and you are not able to do that yet. Perhaps when you embrace that it will come to you soon, and allow your time now to enjoy your time in White Rock, then perhaps your allergys will subside a bit.
A great book on this subject is "You can heal your Life" by Louise L. Hay. I highly recomend it! I wish you the best with your allergies, I know they will go away for you!