Summer School

I love teaching summer school. This year the theme was "Sharks". We read about sharks while working on comprehension and we went to an aquarium at the end of summer school. Here we are using manipulatives to work on number sense. Mona was here this year to help me out!


We played waterballon volleyball.




We did as much as we could outside!


We focused on reading comprehension, reading fluency, writing strategies, and math.


Mona taught the kids the "Baby Shark" song.


We went to the Haus der Meers aquarium to see some sharks.


Overlooking Vienna.


Playing with Legos.


Swimming in the Danube River.

Day 4

I had a day off of treatment to go to church and eat lunch with some friends in Cedar Rapids. I've been eating some really good food.



THAT would be a club sandwich with CHEESE, french fries fried in the same oil they fried something cheesy in, and coleslaw which might have had milk in it. My brother's girlfriend, Whitney's parents took us out to eat and her mom was wondering why I was taking pictures of my food. I also ate one of Whitney's pizza... covered in CHEESE! Oh my goodness, it was greasy, salty, and delicious. MAN I've been missing out!



For desert, my brother got me a Drumstick. I can't even remember the last time I had ice cream...or chocolate! I haven't broken out from anything yet. It's totally AMAZING! Praise the Lord!

Today, I went back for my 7th and 8th treatments. I was treated for laundry soup, fabric softener, fabric chemicals (that are in your clothes when you buy them), vinyl, car exhaust (I know right?), acrylic, sunscreen, pool chemicals, soap, and deodorant. If it works, I will save lots of money not having to order my soap, sunscreen, and other things from a pharmacy up in Minnesota.

In between treatments, I went to Panara and ordered a vanilla latte...everything in me wanted to say..."with soy milk". I was actually scared to drink one with real milk...but I did and it was GREAT. Now, I'm gonna have to start watching how much sugar I eat... :-)

Day 3

This morning, I went back for another treatment for milk, however, she told me I didn't need it. So, I got treated for chocolate!!! She tested me and said, "Oh, wow, you're actually allergic to the coca bean." I know! :-)

Deb said I should try putting some milk in my hands...see how I react...try putting some on my lips...see what happens. So after my treatment, my brother and I went out for coffee. I spred some skim milk on my lips like lip gloss and just waited. I got a little itchy but thought, "I think it's just in my head." So, my brother and I got a pretzel.



Yep, the lady covered it in butter and salted it. Then we dipped it in cheese.



Now I guess we just wait, and see what happens.

Spending Time with my Brother

The best part about this treatment is that I get to spend time with my brother in between. First we went shopping. It's a good thing I don't live here...those two stores right next to each other could be dangerous for me!



After treatment, we went out for coffee.



I made him play cards....



...princess cards.

Day 2

Here's a picture of Deb doing the treatment.



This morning, I was treated for iron, minerals, and calcium. All these things need to be treated before I can be treated for milk. They are considered "preliminary allergens" that need to be cleared first in order for the treatment to be successful. Everything is treated in a specific order.

In the afternoon, on my way to the clinic I drove past that truck:


that's right...a dairy truck. :-)

This afternoon was my first dairy treatment. I imagine I'll need a couple since I'm very allergic to milk.

Day 1

Today, I started my allergy treatment. This is the only picture I took. Tomorrow, I'll ask to take more pictures. I didn't want to freak her out on my first day. This is what the outside of the office looks like.


I was given an allergy assessment. I put on something like a blood pressure cuff that was hooked up to the computer. She would click around and I would hear a beeping noise. I then had to hold her hand down with my arm. If I couldn't apply enough pressure to keep her hand down then she would write that down and treat me for sensitivities to that item. The test showed that I had sensitivities to food phenolics, calcium, milk/dairy, iron, sugar, and chocolate.

Today, she treated me for food phenolics in the morning and for sugar in the afternoon. After the food phenolics treatment I felt woozy and started to get a headache, but nothing too bad. In the afternoon, after my sugar treatment, my stomach felt a little funny but nothing bad at all.

Day 0

Today I drove from Appleton, WI to Des Moines, IA. I had the windows down, the music cranked loud, and I was loving every minute. It's a beautiful drive especially in WI right before you cross the boarder into IA.



This sign means, "I'm home."



Iowa is so beautiful!