Living with Alpha-Gal Syndrome

 You make plans, set goals and one event can change so much.  May 19, 2021, I found a tick on me.  A trip to urgent care and minor surgery was the only way to get it removed.  Lone star tick, a tick that would change my life.  Within a month I was diagnosed with Alpha-gal syndrome.  Life changing with no cure.

Being diagnosed as AGS positive, I read I could not eat beef, lamb, pork, deer, etc.  Initially, I was frustrated but thought, "I can do this."  The phrase "fin or feather" helped me remember "safe" eating.  What I didn't realize is the amount of mammal in every product we use.  Unfortunately, I learned this as I had case after case of hives that were slow to heal.  Hand and body lotions, shampoo, face cleaning products ... all have mammal-based ingredients.  My husband would fry sausage in the kitchen, and I would become so nauseous that I would need to go outside and sit on the deck until the smell left.  We set up an outdoor kitchen area and he would then cook there so I would be okay.  Eating at restaurants was a challenge since cross contamination was as bad as eating something mammal.  We enjoy eating out with friends and it was challenging to eat "safe" and not be overwhelmed and/or affected by the smells.

The doctor told me it was important to not get bit by another tick.  I noticed I was much more sensitive to the sun and heat but still loved being outdoors when I could.  I researched essential oils and mixed my own tick repellent.  If you smell peppermint and lavender on me, that's what I often include in the mix.  I like to garden and enjoy my flowers, especially my roses.  Ticks love to hang out on grass, trees and shrubs and will often hitch a ride on a pet into your home.  We believe that is how I got the tick bite.  My little pal Dottie is on tick and flea medications, but corgis have really thick fur and we've learned to check her when she comes in the house.

About six months after the diagnosis, I was sent to an allergist.  More tests were run to include a second alpha-gal panel.  The doctor placed me on several supplements.  Keep in mind that gel caps are made from mammal products so even medications become complicated.  But the mix he had me taking began to help with some of the symptoms.  After two years I was finally to a place where my husband could cook his beef and pork with me in the other room.  Anytime he cooked with butter still caused nausea for me but overall things were much better.

At a time when many of my symptoms were easing, I began to have breathing issues.  I was substitute teaching and would have severe reactions to teens spraying perfume around me.  It usually took 6-8 hours before the respiratory issues and exhaustion from the incident improved.  

Fast forward to May 8th of this year.  I woke up to find a tick embedded in my shoulder.  24 hours later, it was so swollen and inflamed that I saw the doctor.  Two weeks again of antibiotics and an encouragement to be careful with ticks.  Within another 24 hours, my reactions and sensitivities were back with a vengeance.  

Alpha-gal isn't the same for everyone.  And a persons symptoms can change over time.  You may be able to eat a bit of cheese today and tomorrow you have a severe reaction.  I've worn my leather band for my Fitbit and break out with hives that take weeks to heal.  My skin has always been sensitive and now it's ridiculously sensitive.  Muscle cramps from hell can occur if I eat something that has a bit of mammal I didn't notice.  I'm still learning to read labels and learn what words are "mammal" based as many things like Carrigan and magnesium stearate are examples of this.  I can eat chicken but I can't eat chicken that has Carrigan injected.  Alpha-gal symptoms can include hives, stomach pain, diarrhea, wheezing or shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and anaphylactic shock.  

My PSA is this.  Be careful with ticks.  Use preventative measures and if you get bit, contact your doctor.  Record the date of the bite and monitor for symptoms.  Educate yourself on the syndrome so you know what symptoms to watch for.  Anaphylactic shock is the most severe. One of the challenges with AGS is that unlike normal food allergies, the reactions often come 3-8 hour after exposure to a mammal product which leaves you wondering what in the world did you eat that created the reaction?

Just google Alpha-Gal syndrome.  There is so much more information now than there was two years ago.  While the research is beginning on AGS, there is no cure.  My best option is to be extremely careful with products and food and not have another tick bite.  Trust me when I say, this is life changing.  It doesn't just impact me, it affects my family.  They try so hard to be sure there is something I can eat when we get together.  Often, it's easier for me to bring something I can eat and tell them not to worry so much about what I can and can't eat.  Friends and family want to help and I love them for that.  I also know that my reactions are unpredictable and it's more important to share time with them than the meal itself so I focus on staying well.

For more information, search the internet and/or view the CDC information at:

Alpha-gal Syndrome | Ticks | CDC

Knitting, Crocheting and a Little Bit of Life

Folded neatly at the foot of my bed rests an off white, wool crocheted afghan.  As a young bride, it was a joy to unwrap this beautiful keepsake.  Bob's grandmother had crocheted each individual rose in intricate detail.  I loved the look and feel of this heavy afghan immediately. 

I'll admit, the thought of making a blanket or afghan was overwhelming to me.  At the time, I was good at sewing but knitting and crocheting seemed way beyond my abilities.  Bob's Grandma Tatum also worked with yarn and was willing to share her knowledge.  I remember her attempts to teach me broomstick knitting.  Her patience with me did have a nice result but I don't recall I ever finished a project.  And I remember the needles were really, really big!

From time to time I would look at the crochet hooks, the knitting needles, the yarn and began thinking, some day when my kids are grown, I'm going to work with yarn.  When my aunt would come to visit, I would look with awe at the project she was working on.  Her needles had such a steady click!

In 2001, we made a trip to my Dad's over Christmas and made our visit to the Parsley Pot.  If you are ever in Ashland, Ohio, I highly recommend visiting the Parsley Pot.  On the counter sits a glass jar full of brightly colored crocheted, catnip mice.  We bought the traditional mouse to take home to our cat.  During the trip home I began to think, "surely I could crochet a mouse."  Internet was now available and I searched and found, much to my delight, a catnip mouse pattern.  I bought my crochet hook and a skein of varigated, cheap yarn and took it to the next ball game.  The 2001-2002 basketball season had us at junior and senior high ball games four nights a week.I developed my skills and expanded to crocheting potholders.  I remember I able to create one that was white with a yellow rose in the center.  I don't recall who received that pot holder but I sure was proud of it.  Life got busy with my daughter and the crochet hook and yarn lay abandoned in a basket along with the "I Can Teach Myself to Crochet" book.



Infant hat knitted with plastic circle loom

  During my daughter's years at college, we found ourselves traveling again.  I bought a plastic knitting loom and learned that I could loom knit the entire four hour drive and my hands never fell asleep.  I began to knit scarves and then branched to knitting hats with my plastic looms.  I loved buying yarn and was thrilled that I could finish a project in a pretty short amount of time. 


I do enjoy knitting with the circle loom.  I can make hats quickly and have given many as gifts.  It's fun to knit them for the granddaughters.  I also have a box of hats ready to give to a charity.  With the loom, I can visit or watch television and not worry about skipping a stitch. 

I've been blessed over the past year a neice and a great-nephew.  Miss Rylee Mae is sporting her Oklahoma University hat her auntie (me) knitted up for her on a circle loom.



Dare yarn knitted with size 35 needles


Now here I am in that "50" something generation and have become addicted to yarn...LOTS of yarn.  I love the natural fibers...cotton, wool, and bamboo.  I can browse a yarn shop for hours....so many colors, textures, weights.  I marvel at the items made by experienced knitters and crocheters.  I am intrigued by the knitters and crocheters whose fingers fly as they work on a project, all the while discussing their craft, ideas, interests and their lives.

This past winter, I discovered a charming yarn shop in Winfield, Kansas.  I loved right away how the owner just let me wander, feel and look at the yarn.  I bought a learn to knit book from IYARN, a skein of yarn and knitting needles.  She was very patient and explained to me the stitches she used on a beautiful, chunky scarf.  I was quite amazed at my confidence.  I was even more amazed when my scarf turned out just like the one on display.   I soon visited her a second time and expanded my inventory of needles and yarn.  She printed me out a pattern from http://www.ravelry.com/ and soon I successfully knit a lace scarf. 

There's no question that I am a beginner in this craft.  I have discovered that I now love to watch the telly with my husband in evening and feel like I've also done something productive. 

My daughter-in-law has a real talent for taking pictures.  She has taken many photos of infants and it has been a delight to see the demand for her skills take off.   Last month, she was heading out of state to take pictures of a new born in her family and came to look at what yarn creations I had that might work for her photo shoot.  She picked out the 70" scarf made in neutrals Dare yarn. 

It was the perfect yarn to use.  Isn't this a sweet picture? 

Over the next several weeks I knitted cotton dishcloths.   I have several bridal showers to attend this year and thought they would be a nice addition to a gift.  My daughter has loved being the official tester.  She lets me know which yarn "holds up" and gets the pans clean!  Dishcloths are a great way for me to learn new stitches and improve my skills.  The Grandma's Favorite pattern taught me to increase and decrease while I knit a practical item.

As I knit, I think about the person I am knitting for.  I want the yarn to be soft and something they will use or wear. 

On a recent trip to Wichita, my daughter and a friend went to a yarn store with me.  I had "googled" yarn on the internet and Malbringo yarns came up.  I loved the looks of their yarn and wanted to see it and feel it.  We visited a shop named Heritage Hut and found they carried Malbringo. 

My daughter really liked a colorful hank of yarn.  The yarn worked into a beautiful scarf.  The downfall of the yarn was that my husband's cat also really liked the feel of the yarn.  He likes to lay beside me when I'm knitting and when I went to knit a stitch, the scarf gave a tug.  I realized he had it and then I realized he had chewed through the yarn.  Next lesson, how to fix a hole in a scarf.  Since this mend, I've watched mending videos on http://www.dailyknitting.com/ and now have a better skill set to repair the next mishap.

I've introduced my male corgi, Cooper in another blog.  He seems to think he needs to be on my lap when I'm knitting.  Between him and the cat, some evenings it becomes a challenge to get much done.  Sadly, I left my latest project on the couch the other evening.  A beautiful cardinal red, egyptian cotton lace scarf.    I grabbed it the next morning only to find the yarn was seperate from the project.  The cat had struck again.  I've learned my lesson!  My projects now get put away, out of his reach.  I do have a scrap jar though and will soon be making him a new catnip mouse :-) 

My life is now at the point I can enjoy the art of knitting and/or crocheting.  I look forward to improving my skills and giving gifts of home made items.  I now understand that when Bob's grandmother knitted the wedding afghan, when grandmother's and good friends knitted or crocheted baby afghan's to welcome my children, that it wasn't just the gift of the yarn.  Each stitch was filled with love, hopes and dreams as the item was created and prayed over.  If you haven't ventured into yarn I encourage you to take courage and try.  There are those out there willing to share their love and skills.  I hope to be the grandma that teaches my little granddaughters to knit and crochet.  Our little Bri has already shown an interest.  It's a timeless art but of the fibers we work with today are treasures!  When my workshop is open, bring your project and let's work on it together.  If you don't have a project but want to learn, I've always got looms and yarns to make hats for charity. If you've ever received a soft, hand knitted or hand crocheted gift you'll know the feeling of receiving something very, very special.  Knitting for charities is a way to share with individuals that need to know that very special feeling. 

And Susie at IYARN, speaking of special feelings; I thank you for the conversation when you shared with me that my mother-in-law had been your Sunday School teacher.  It was her mother, Grandma Ritter that gave Bob and I our beloved wedding afghan more than 30 years ago.  Daily, we remember each of these strong, talented women with much, much love.  I choked as I left your shop that day knowing that it's the gift of friendship that means the most of all.  May God bless you on your new shop endeavors. 



In Loving Memory of Margaret Ritter



Princess Time

I've decided there's an empty spot in every person's heart that waits to be filled by a grandchild.  What is it about these little people that fill a heart with such love?  To date, our lives have been blessed with granddaughters who are girly girls and love dress up.  Perfect elements for a tea party and a memory in the making.

Now, one should know that my 6'3" husband's heart belongs to a 2'6", 20 month old toddler with chocolate brown eyes.  My husband has always been a loving father and husband. Because of his size and deep voice, he can sometimes appear or sound gruff.  Harleigh has him figured out!  She brings out a softness and they have a bond that only they share.  Yes, she has him wrapped around her little finger.  Miss Paislee Spencer is our beautiful 4 1/2 year old granddaughter who came to us at Harleigh's age.  She's a delight who loves pretty dresses, makeup and knows that every story must have a prince charming.  She's our little one who may be four but is going on 14.  She is absolutely, hands down one of the most beautiful little girls I know.  She's also our fashion diva and is always noting color, design, fashion and anything that sparkles. 

The girls arrived with their mama.  They looked beautiful in their princess dresses and Miss Paislee had her beautiful french manicure nails on. 

As they arrived, Prince Charming (aka Grandpa) met them at the door.  Now our house is a 1915 farmhouse that needs a lot of work (keep that in mind when you look through these pictures).  But for one afternoon, in two little girls eyes, it became a castle ready for a party in their honor. 

I had knitted Paislee a soft, cream airy scarf that she draped around her neck.  Harleigh, as usual preferred my 90 inch strand of pearls.  A little sparkle on the face and eyes, and gloss for the lips and the girls transformed.

Grandpa explained to the girls that they must be escorted into the castle for the tea party. 

Grandpa seated Paislee first and explained as he pushed her chair to the table, that a gentleman always seats a lady and as he seated Harleigh, explained that he always scoots her in.  The girls eyes sparked with excitement as they looked at the table and knew that a party was to begin.

The table was set with an ecru crocheted table cloth.  Frankoma pottery that had belonged to Harleigh's great-grandma was used along with the Brown Betty teapot.  Harleigh had to peek under the table cloth a couple of times...making sure it was their purple fairie table <3

Nothing makes tea like Brown Betty and steeping in it was of course, peppermint tea.  Brown Betty belongs to Grandma and Grandpa and was given to them by Grandma's daddy so the girls know it's a very special teapot. 

Paislee asked if she could pour her own tea and was so very, very careful.

Paislee will tell you that you must have 4 lumps of sugar and a bit of cream to make the perfect peppermint tea.  She should know...she's been a tea expert in the three years we've known her; her favorite tea being peppermint.  Now Harleigh is of the belief that the more sugar, the better.  After Paislee had her tea just right, Harleigh added a few more lumps of sugar for her.  Aw, the sweetness.  Grandpa had carefully placed jelly beans on each of their plates.  Their eyes glowed when they saw that Grandpa has shared his special stash.  Oh how they love Grandpa!

I had fixed raw baby carrots and placed ranch dip in a jewel tea bowl for dipping.  I inherited jewel tea dishes from my mamma.  They had belonged to her grandma, my great-grandma and Miss Harleigh's great-great-great grandma.  While the girls may not have understood what was represented on that table for tea,  Bob and I did.  We knew the joy these litle girls would have brought to special people in our lives.

The girls enjoyed strawberries, string cheese, bread and butter pickle and turkey roll-up's, granola bars and homemade peanut butter, chocolate toffee cookies.  Mmmmm...they were so good with tea. 

Reading a book is always an important part of social time.  Grandpa read Paislee one of her favorite books, Miss Piggy and the Gorilla.  And Harleigh and Grandma looked through her favorite pop-up book about Elmo.

Modern technolgy appeals to Harleigh and once again (for the zillionith time), YouTube brought Elmo and Miss Lydia singing the ABC song.  Harleigh's sweet melodic voice sang right along in tune.

Soon, it was time for a movie and Paislee selected, "Snow White."  A very fitting movie and one that we all enjoyed.  Grandpa, aka Prince Charming was a bit tuckered out and caught a cat nap during the movie.

Our tea party turned into a slumber party and the greatest reward for this grandma came the next morning when Harleigh crawled over on my tummy, gave me a big hug and said in her toddler speech, "luv you."  Life is good.

The next tea party is already in design mode.  Hopefully, it will include our daughter's fiance's little girl and will be full of fairies and ladybugs.  What fun is to be had to welcome spring!