I consider myself somewhat of an expert on the subject of allergies. Anyone that knows me knows that I have had 5 surgeries on my sinuses (what's left of them anyway) mostly caused by, you guessed it, allergies. I figure with all of my experiences over the past 35 plus years with allergy symptoms, doctor visits and operations, I am one college course short of being a board certified Otolaryngologist. However, a number of years ago my allergist gave me a diagnosis that no one has ever heard of. It seems I have Samter's Syndrome. Samter's Syndrome is the combination of three symptoms, which are nasal polyps, an allergy to aspirin, and asthma. Of course there is no cure for this syndrome. My first reaction to this was "then why even call it a syndrome?" All I keep thinking is that guy back in the 1920's probably made a lot of money by lumping together three symptoms. Then I started identifying things and creating my own syndromes. Here's one: a couch, coffee table and recliner...Furniture Syndrome. Or, a dirty diaper, projectile vomiting and a 3 AM feeding...Baby Syndrome. Okay, now where's MY money?
Allergies are funny things. You can be allergic to the environment, animals, food or drugs to name a few. (Side note - I just sneezed...you can't make this stuff up! Well, maybe you can, but this time it was true!) I can claim ownership to all four. Supposedly I am allergic to dust, most animals that have fur, strawberries and aspirin. So a bad day for me would consist of being licked by a German Shepherd while eating strawberry shortcake laced with aspirin in a dirty house. Out of all of those things I am allergic to, I'll bet that most of you are saying "wow, he can't eat strawberries?" I haven't had one since I was five years old and became one big hive. Of course no one cares that if I had an aspirin it is an instant trip to the ER...maybe because I could not give you a ride when you foaming at the mouth. You know what they say about payback...
It is interesting to note that most of my allergy problems began a few years after high school, around 1977...July of 1977...July 29, 1977. A pure coincidence that I was married on that day. I have to go now, it is dinner time. What's that honey? We're having a mystery dessert tonight? Hmmm, I wonder what it could be...
Allergies are funny things. You can be allergic to the environment, animals, food or drugs to name a few. (Side note - I just sneezed...you can't make this stuff up! Well, maybe you can, but this time it was true!) I can claim ownership to all four. Supposedly I am allergic to dust, most animals that have fur, strawberries and aspirin. So a bad day for me would consist of being licked by a German Shepherd while eating strawberry shortcake laced with aspirin in a dirty house. Out of all of those things I am allergic to, I'll bet that most of you are saying "wow, he can't eat strawberries?" I haven't had one since I was five years old and became one big hive. Of course no one cares that if I had an aspirin it is an instant trip to the ER...maybe because I could not give you a ride when you foaming at the mouth. You know what they say about payback...
It is interesting to note that most of my allergy problems began a few years after high school, around 1977...July of 1977...July 29, 1977. A pure coincidence that I was married on that day. I have to go now, it is dinner time. What's that honey? We're having a mystery dessert tonight? Hmmm, I wonder what it could be...
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