Triple Threat
parenting triplets in the Capital District
A family to be thankful for
F
Steuer household bands together when life-threatening allergy strikes triplet
or many moms, there are certainly times that will be burned into your memory for the rest of your life. Many of these moments will be happy, the others … not so much. November is a tough month for many families, and this year isn’t any easier. Many of us just can’t face Thanksgiving and all of its trappings this year. This year, Harlan, Rebecca, Benjamin, Olivia, my mom and I will hopefully gather around the table with bowls of mashed potatoes and turnips sending up ribbons of steam, beckoning us to come sit and be happy. Our plates will overflow with salad, turkey and rolls. The love we
feel will make us smile. We will keep laughing over the inside jokes about key lime pie and corn bread as we do the dishes. Long after the meal is done, we will still be talking and remembering family that isn’t with us. by
beautiful face. Seeing my child in such a state made my body go cold. My brave girl came to me, and there was no question that she needed the Epi-Pen. I looked into her eyes and felt time stop. I saw that visceral fear and tears running down her swollen cheeks. We both knew what was at stake: her life. I grabbed the box of EpiPens and through rote memory from many, many practice shots and tutorials from Certified Allergy and Asthma, I pressed the applicator to her thigh. Olivia was so brave! After the Epi-Pen and two Benadryl,
Jennifer Steuer
In September, one of my biggest fears came true: Olivia had a reaction to something she ate. Within two minutes of eating a cookie – she has had all the ingredients with no issues before – Olivia’s mouth began to swell and hives danced across her tongue, inside her mouth and spilled out onto her
there was no improvement so a second shot was necessary. From the time Olivia ate the cookie to the second Epi-Pen, five minutes had passed. Those five minutes were the most terrifying minutes of my life. The entire family knew this was serious, and everyone jumped into action. I don’t know how an emergency could have gone more smoothly. Harlan had been in the garage; Rebecca ran and let him know what happened. Benjamin called 911 and gave them all the information necessary. My mom went outside to wave down the police, firetrucks and ambulance.
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To all of our
A Heartfelt Thank You! 6 Family Now — November 2020
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ESSENTIAL WORKERS
