As one with Allergies

Hi.

It is 3 am here and I am wide awake.

Have I been up partying all night?

Have I awaken early to get a head start on the day?

Nope.

I woke up because I needed another dose of allergy medication so I could continue to sleep.

And now here I am writing on my computer.

While I am home awaiting a mission call,

(for more info into what that is and what that means follow these links:)

http://sisteratwood.blogspot.ca/

https://www.mormon.org/missionaries

I am working at the local Dairy Queen.

It is nothing fancy but it is a job and I don't mind it.

But while I was working at the Drive-thru today someone riding a horse placed an order and came through the drive thru.

Now I live in a small town and such things are not uncommon.

And I get sometimes you just really need an ice cream cone when you are out for a ride.

But when I realized a horse was coming through the drive thru it sent me running to the other end of the store.

Why? 

Because I am allergic to horses. 

(Side note: I am allergic to all animal dander, not just horses, much to my chagrin as an animal lover)

Luckily I had allergy medication in my bag with me, but I still have spent the day with:

Red, swollen, watery, itchy eyes

Runny Nose

Itchy red skin

Sneezing 

Nasal Congestion

Which would have been 10X worse without medication, but the symptoms are still there. 

And I did not touch the horse at all.

I did not interact with it or its rider.

I was in a different area of the store when it came through.

Yet the dander in the air and the fact my coworker had interacted with the rider caused me to suffer from an allergic reaction all day.

Now this post is in no way trying to shame whoever rode their horse through drive thru.

It was simply an experience that prompted a blog post.

Because it isn't just horses.

If someone comes through drive thru with an animal in their vehicle

I will end up sick the rest of the day.

If they are holding their dog in one hand and their money in the other, 

after that money gets passed to me I have to go scrub down like I am going into surgery, 

in an attempt to prevent the inevitable allergic reaction. 

If a coworker has animal dander on their clothes I react.

Basically to live a life without allergic reactions I need to be medicated with antihistamines everyday.

(Me after work today, with makeup to cover up my face, still enjoying life)

Which got me to thinking and to realizing,

It doesn't matter where I work, I will always have this problem.

I could dedicate the time to finding a job where none of the employees have pets,

but who's to say that would be a job I would even like, 

or that customers wouldn't have pets I would react to?

Or maybe all pets could be banned.

After all they do that with peanut butter in schools these days.

(Just to clarify I get peanut allergies; I am one of the whatever percentage of people who went from epi-pen allergic to peanuts, to having grown out of that allergy, so please don't feel I am disrespecting or making light of a serious life-threatening allergy)

But pets bring joy into people's lives.

Seeing eye dogs.

Therapy dogs.

Companionship.

Animals are great and I love them too. 

Which makes dealing with my allergies more acceptable.

I sit here with swollen eyes,

A tissue box next to me,

To tell you that as the minority I accept my life.

I don't expect everyone else to change so I am more comfortable.

I don't expect everyone else to change so I can live without medication.

I don't expect everyone else to change so my quality of living can increase.

I understand I am the minority.

Does it suck sometimes?

Yes.

Have I missed field trips at school because of fear of allergy attacks?
Yes.

Have I missed youth activities because of allergies?
Yes.

Have I missed parties and outings with friends because of potential allergic reactions?
Yes.

But have I also continued having a good life in spite of allergies?
You better believe it.

There are a lot of issues going on right now in the world.

Where the minority is crying out for the same rights and quality of life as the majority.

And I get that.

But sometimes you've got to look at the big picture and realize;

Sometimes you just have to accept your life as it is.

And go to the zoo highly drugged on antihistamines. 

Continue babysitting for a family that has a dog because you love the kid so much.

(My employer's adorable dog chilling with me)

Pet the baby lamb that comes to your fifth grade class because it is too adorable not to.

Go over to friends houses who have pets even if you will regret it five minutes in.

Always hang out with friends at your house or at a third location because of the point made above.

Pet all the puppies in the pet store with your friends.

Get a dog that you adore only to have your immune system eventually break down to the point where you break out in hives as soon as you go into your backyard where your dog lives causing you to have to give her up. 

(This was my dog the day we gave her up)

Am I not sleeping right now because of allergies?

Yes.

But is that okay?

Ya it is.

All you animal lovers out there-

Keep doing you.

And know this swollen-eyed, rash covered weirdo petting your pet, with your permission of course,

Is jealous of your ability to own a pet.

Don't take it for granted.

And enjoy being in the majority on this one.