Progress…

The day over 16 years ago when Maura had an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts is etched in my memory forever. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, one filled with the challenges of navigating multiple food allergies. Unless you’ve lived with food allergies, it’s difficult to grasp the daily struggles and the constant vigilance required to keep your child safe, especially when so many social gatherings and celebrations revolve around food.

Since Maura’s diagnosis, there have been significant advancements in allergy research and treatment. With Maura now experiencing more independence in college and with the guidance of a persuasive allergist, we decided to explore the possibility of challenging some of the foods she had been cautioned against her entire life. It’s a surreal experience—after years of diligently avoiding certain foods due to the life-threatening risks they posed, you are suddenly being encouraged to put them in your mouth.

This month, we embarked on what we hope will be our final half-day visit to the allergist’s office. It was a series of eating, waiting, undergoing examinations, eating some more, waiting again, and repeating the process. Though peanuts will always remain off the table, Maura can now confidently declare that she’s no longer allergic to many other foods. 

It’s a monumental milestone. For Maura, it signifies the opening of new possibilities and the freedom to explore a wider range of foods without fear. And for me, it brings a sense of relief and closure to some of the fears that have loomed for so long. 

Congrats, Maura!