There are defining moments in our lives that shape the future in ways we never thought possible, in both good and bad ways. Callum's severe eczema and multiple severe allergies and subsequent serious reactions have caused a butterfly effect that we're now working hard to turn into positives!
It’s fair to say that little Callum hasn’t had the easiest of starts to life!
Severe eczema, followed swiftly with severe multiple allergies from a very early age has meant that life has always been tough going.
This battle continues to this day, with us having to remain vigilant of all times of surroundings and what Callum eats, to ensure he remains as safe and well as possible.
Prior to diagnosis, Callum experienced 3 particularly severe allergic reactions which resulted in emergency admittances and a warning each time that he might not make it.
As a parent, and a mother, I can’t even begin to explain how much this hurts to hear.
It cuts through your heart and leaves it broken into a thousand pieces, never to quite fit in the same way again.
To be sat next to your baby, who is hooked up to all manner of tubes, iv’s and more, willing them to pull through is something no parent should ever have to go through.
It changes you not only as a person, but also as a parent, and forces you to dig deep to pull out of the depths of despair that you feel.
Last month, Allergy UK asked us to help them with a campaign they were working on to raise awareness of how allergies and eczema often go hand in hand.
As we believe that raising awareness continues to improve the allergy world and helps people to understand better the daily struggles, we were more than happy to help.
During the interview, I had to answer some pretty tough questions, which resulted in unlocking a particular memory of a severe reaction and the subsequent horrifying situation we faced where we were warned that Callum might not make it. The medical team were so concerned, they believed he had meningitis.
It took a while for the medicines to gain control, and was an extremely difficult time.
This video shows the difficulty of living with severe eczema, multiple severe allergies and the daily battle to try and push all your concerns to one side and live life as ‘normally’ as possible.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Callum is a true hero. He is incredible in his bravery and ability to live life to the absolute fullest in spite of everything he has gone through, and what he continues to go through on a daily basis.
I hope this video brings hope to those of you going through diagnosis at the moment. It may seem like you are living in a black hole of despair, but I promise you, it does get better and things will improve.
Callum is living proof of this!
If ever you need support, someone to talk to, or need help getting a diagnosis, know that the team here are always available to help, guide and do what they can to make things better. All you have to do is ask!
Much love to everyone on this journey, you are NOT alone xx