Alas fair followers, Lady H has found something she absolutely LOVES! Today alone she has had 4 bowls (Lady H size) for breakfast and 3 bowls for snack! I want to send out a search party for whomever created these tiny circles of yumminess so that I may give them a giant kiss on the lips (even if it's a man!). 

Lady H has sung an original song which consists of the lyrics, "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy in my tum-tum-tummy! These 'rios are DEEEEE-licious!" 

It makes me so happy to see her so happy. She can eat these without worry as a meal, snack and probably in other ways as I get more creative. Be on the look out for "Fruity Cheerio" recipes galore. Maybe a soup or as an alternative to breading on chicken, the possibilities are endless...maybe.

Just in case you haven't seen this yet...

​

Sanofi US Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Auvi-Q®
Due to Potential Inaccurate Dosage Delivery

[Press Release]


Company Contact
Karen Sutherland
Tel. : +1 908-989-0726
Email : [email protected]




Bridgewater, N.J. - October 30, 2015 - Sanofi US is voluntarily recalling all Auvi-Q® (epinephrine injection, USP).The recall involves all Auvi-Q currently on the market and includes both the 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg strengths for hospitals, retailers and consumers. This includes lot numbers 2081278 through 3037230, which expire October 2015 through December 2016.The products have been found to potentially have inaccurate dosage delivery, which may include failure to deliver drug.

If a patient experiencing a serious allergic reaction (i.e., anaphylaxis) did not receive the intended dose, there could be significant health consequences, including death because anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition. As of October 26, 2015, Sanofi has received 26 reports of suspected device malfunctions in the US and Canada. None of these device malfunction reports have been confirmed. In these reports, patients have described symptoms of the underlying hypersensitivity reaction. No fatal outcomes have been reported among these cases.

Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) is used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in people who are at risk for or have a history of these reactions. Auvi-Q is packaged with two active devices and one trainer device in a corrugate box. Auvi-Q was distributed throughout the United States via wholesalers, pharmacies and hospitals. All Auvi-Q is being recalled.




Sanofi US is notifying its distributors and customers who include doctors, pharmacies, wholesalers and other customers in the supply chain by letter, fax, email and phone calls and is arranging for return and reimbursement of all recalled products.


Customers with questions regarding this recall can go to www.Auvi-Q.com and call 1-866-726-6340 or 1-877-319-8963 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET for information about how to return their Auvi-Q devices. Customers may also email [email protected]. Sanofi US will provide reimbursement for out of pocket costs incurred for the purchase of new epinephrine auto-injectors with proof of purchase.


Customers should immediately contact their healthcare provider (HCP) for a prescription for an alternate epinephrine auto-injector. In the event of a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), patients should only use their Auvi-Q device if another epinephrine auto-injector is not available, and then call 911 or local medical emergency services. Customers should contact their physician or HCP if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
• Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
​Sanofi US is committed to patient safety and the quality of Auvi-Q, and will continue to work closely with customers and regulatory authorities to resolve this issue in a timely manner.
 
Important Safety Information
Auvi-Q is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration and does not take the place of emergency medical care. Seek immediate medical treatment after use. Each Auvi-Q contains a single dose of epinephrine. Auvi-Q should only be injected into your outer thigh. DO NOT INJECT INTO BUTTOCK OR INTRAVENOUSLY. If you accidentally inject Auvi-Q into any other part of your body, seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.


If you take certain medicines, you may develop serious life-threatening side effects from epinephrine. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. Side effects may be increased in patients with certain medical conditions, or who take certain medicines. These include asthma, allergies, depression, thyroid disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.


The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate, stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness or shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness, or anxiety. These side effects go away quickly, especially if you rest.


You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs.
In the US, contact the FDA by visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Please click here for Full Prescribing Information.


About Sanofi US
Sanofi, an integrated global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).


Sanofi is the holding company of a consolidated group of subsidiaries and operates in the United States as Sanofi US. For more information on Sanofi US, please visit http://www.sanofi.us andhttp://www.news.sanofi.us/social-media or call 1-800-981-2491.


Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "plans" and similar expressions. Although Sanofi's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such product candidates, the absence of guarantee that the product candidates if approved will be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, the Group's ability to benefit from external growth opportunities, trends in exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, the impact of cost containment policies and subsequent changes thereto, the average number of shares outstanding as well as those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Sanofi's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.

We have faced and conquered every Allergy Parent's nightmare...Halloween! There are so many hidden allergens in the candy that is passed out it's scary! After talking with several people who have allergies and several more who are Allergy Parents, I decided to go out and get a Switch Witch.

The Switch Witch is a cute concept. The package comes with a book and a plush witch. It is much akin to the popular Elf on a Shelf. The Switch Witch comes in early October and watches for good little children that want to leave her their candy in exchange for a gift. She leaves notes, does pranks and most importantly, marks kids as "naughty" or "nice" (watch out Santa!) Then, on Halloween night, if the kids have been good, they can leave her their candy and she will "switch it" for a small gift. 

Lady H was a bit skeptical about giving up her candy. We haven't really ever given her that many sweets in her lifetime. However, this was her first year really enjoying and "getting" the concept of trick-or-treating, so she wasn't that keen on handing over her loot to some witch. We read the book a few times, and really played up the "surprise" that the witch would be leaving her. She woke up and ran to the cauldron where we left her candy. She discovered an "Anna" (from Frozen) dress up dress, and then quickly asked "Where the candy?" I reminded her the witch took it, but she left her a present. She hasn't had anymore questions.   

I LOVE this concept! It is even a great idea for parents concerned with the looming dental bill that inevitably follows this holiday of mass candy consumption. Yes, there are some "parent duties", like leaving notes, moving the witch or helping her with her pranks, but if it keeps us out of the ER, I am willing to do my part. Plus you can look at it as practice for your Elf on a Shelf. Heck, they may even become buddies and she can bring him to your house on November 1st! After all, Christmas come right after Halloween...right?!?

We have finally decided to reintroduce another allergy food to Lady H. The wheat, I think, she can successfully tolerate so we moved on to eggs. My sister was staying with us and had inadvertently cooked eggs. Lady H woefully requested a plateful and my wife obliged. We had said eggs would be next on our reintroduction trials. Not too long after she had finished shoveling them in, the tell-tale red splotches began to appear around her mouth. Benadryl was quickly administered and the symptoms subsided. 

Alas, eggs seem to be on our "not for Lady H" list. Her allergy test results listed her dairy numbers as double that of eggs. I am safely assuming that we will be dairy free for a long while too.

I am glad we have been able to keep wheat and soy though. We said all along if we could just have one (wheat, soy, dairy or eggs) back in her diet, it would make meal times, and life in general, much easier. Thankfully, we got that wish granted.

Rejoice in the Lord, ALWAYS and again I say rejoice! Another thing I have come to rejoice in is Kroger! This allergy shopping has really made the weekly grocery store runs challenging. We used to spend maybe 56 minutes in the store, one of us chasing Lady H, one of us pushing the cart and both of us just absent mindedly tossing things in.

Those days have come and gone. We now carve out a solid 2 to 3 hours for a trip to the grocery store. We often map out our route because we need to hit this store for the better selection of cheese, that store for the goat milk and two other stores to ensure we have the bread and snacks she likes. 

When she was first diagnosed, I immediately thought we would be limited to Whole Foods and Fresh Market. I have no ill will towards either of these stores, but we just can't afford to get groceries from either, especially not on a weekly basis. They are pricey and not close to our house. I did bite the bullet and walk into Whole Foods though. Two grocery bags and $110 dollars later, I vowed to find another way.

One random Saturday, I needed some butter for something I was making (but Lady H couldn't enjoy.) and so I ran across the street (literally) to Kroger to pick some up. As I was walking towards the butter, I noticed a large section that I had never seen before. I don't know if I just hadn't paid that much attention or if it was because I hadn't shopped in a Kroger in a long time. No matter the reason, I began to browse this land of Lady H approved foods and a small tear or two may have rolled down my cheek! There were tons of things that she could eat, and they were affordable. I felt the Heavens open up and the Lord shine down saying, "well done my good and faithful servant. Here is your land of milk and honey." I said a small prayer of thanks and began to load a cart. That butter trip turned into a free for all of all things allergen free.

​This open letter to Kroger is one of highest gratitude and thanks! Thank you Kroger for your vast array of foods that my little princess can have! We are forever indebted to you. 

Something about this whole process and new lifestyle that has surprised me has had nothing to do with the actual allergies. It has had to do with the question I have heard a few times...Why do you think she has this?

I honestly have never considered looking for the "why us" answer. It has never occurred to me that we are being punished or that we have done anything "wrong". It is just something that we are working through. We are educating ourselves on the world of allergies and finding new ways to approach old ideas. We haven't allowed it to stop us from enjoying our food.

We have an "after church" eating spot and we have continued to eat there every Sunday. We just BOOC (bring our own cheese) now. And Lady H enjoys a lemonade instead of milk. Nightly dinners are the same things (pizza, mac-n-cheese, etc) but now they are allergy friendly versions.

The only question is "What's for dinner?"

It has been about 2 weeks and Lady H is doing OK with the wheat. There have been some questionable rashes pop up a time or two, but under Benadryl and a watchful eye they went away. I hope we can keep this one! It is amazing how much food she is able to eat when we don't have to worry about the wheat ingredients. I can tolerate a no egg, no dairy diet but no egg, no dairy AND no wheat is tough. 

We plan on continuing to keep wheat in for a few more weeks before making a decision about her allergy to it. After that, we will try introducing eggs. 

Seemingly good news from the doctor! We went today and talked with our allergist at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma. He had some promising suggestions and ideas for Lady H. She has been off of all of her "allergy foods" for about six weeks, so we are going to start reintroducing foods to see if we can narrow down the "culprit(s)".  Since her numbers were lowest with wheat, that is first up. We will begin to give her things containing wheat over the next few days. We are supposed to watch her for 3-4 weeks and make sure there aren't any reactions. After that , assuming that nothing happens, we will reintroduce eggs and then finally dairy.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

No to over sell anything, but...

THIS IS THE BEST STUFF EVER!!!

One of our weekend morning staples is pancakes or waffles. Lady H loves to help stir the mix and I enjoy getting up a little later in the morning (if 7:45am is considered late) and being able to make breakfast.

Since all of her allergies exclude many of the "box mixes", I thought this weekend ritual would either become extinct or involve a whole lot of planning and prep. I did find a few box mixes that were free of the Top 8 Allergens but they "don't taste," as Lady H likes to loudly proclaim.

Then, I found Pamela's! Its packaging boldly advertises that it is both gluten-free and dairy-free. The only thing I have to substitute for is the egg. If that is the least of my worries, then the ritual lives! 

We made some this morning. Lady H giving me the side stank eye the entire time she was stirring. She prepared her plate with the necessary lump of butter and cup (yes cup) of syrup. Then we waited. She with the obvious doubt of another pancake that "didn't taste", me with the baited breath and anticipation of an awkward school girl waiting for a prom invite.

The waffle maker emitted its tale-tell sign of "your waffle is finished" steam. The little orange light we off and I opened the contraption. I laid the waffle on the plate. We both stared. Me at Lady H, Lady H at the waffle.

Once it was deemed "cool enough", she took a bite. SHE LOVED IT! Pamela please send me your address so I can send you your much deserved award! Lady H is now requesting your waffles for breakfast, lunch AND dinner!

See the recipe we used over on our Recipe's Page.

This journey has been a whirlwind already, and I know it will only get crazier! But, without my friend, and food allergy suffer, Aimee Hughes, I would be completely lost! She has compiled tons of research, websites, support groups, recipes and even offered her time to come help us set up our pantry and go grocery shopping with us! She is simply AMAZING! 

Through recent blood work, she found out some of her allergy counts have dropped and that one even showed up as NEGATIVE! Needless to say, she was over the moon thrilled, but also scared. What did the possibility of a new food in her diet mean for her personally? She went to her allergist for an Open Food Challenge and here are her results...

You can read more about her journey and the challenge over at her blog Starting, Finishing and Somewhere in Between.