What were you doing before TIP to stay safe?
We were avoiding Payton’s allergens.
How were you feeling before joining TIP? What was your state of mind?
I was so anxious, more-so as he got older because when he was younger I was able to control every single thing. I would stay up at night thinking of every situation in which he could have a reaction, like swimming in the ocean, and the doctors would say nobody had ever asked them about that before. I was always paranoid and I hated when he wasn’t around me. I feel super lucky that we’re not in that mode anymore.
How did you find out about TIP?
We had friends who were already enrolled!
What was your biggest concern or reservation about starting the program?
I didn’t think it was possible to get results like this.
How did you navigate it?
As Payton got older and I had less control over things, I got more and more freaked out. That got me to the point of being ready to hear what TIP was about. There was an event in Chicago where Dr. Randhawa was sharing more information about the program and we attended that to learn more.
What was the deciding factor for you to join TIP?
We got to speak with Dr. Randhawa at that event and even though I don’t usually trust things right away, I was instantly sold after meeting him and hearing about what he does. I felt so comfortable after talking to him. He’s so knowledgeable and hearing more details after that only made it sound better. I can’t imagine anyone not feeling that way, either, because I’m the most skeptical person.
Did you know anyone in the program or connect with anyone before starting?
We talked to our friends in the program.
How have you kept your child motivated in the program?
Payton really wanted to do this; he was very motivated. He was at the age where he understood it would be life changing for him. He would see other kids bringing in wings for lunch or see us having sushi and would want to try it. He really loves food but we did struggle with fish because he hated fish. We had to put his doses in Oreos to hide the flavor and he would still have to hold his nose. Even now, he still doesn’t like the taste that much. We have to douse cod in lime and he has to chase it with something to get rid of the flavor but he still keeps up with his maintenance amounts.
What would you tell someone considering TIP?
I would say there’s nothing better than doing TIP because it’ll be life-changing. There’s no downside, it can only help you. The worst thing that could happen is you sign up and go there and if you don’t feel comfortable, then you don’t feel comfortable, but I just can’t imagine anyone not feeling comfortable. Everything they do there is so scientific and thought through so thoroughly that the room for error really isn’t there, as long as you follow what they tell you to do. Run, sprint, sell your car. Find a way. Figure it out. I was so deathly afraid of something bad happening to Payton that I would’ve cut anything out of our budget to make this happen. I feel like once anyone starts the program, they’ll feel that way too.
What’s been your favorite moment in the program?
My favorite moment was the first time we went to a restaurant and didn’t say a word, Payton just picked anything he wanted off the menu. It was surreal. Before TIP, we rarely ordered food in because it was so stressful. We had only done it a few times in his life and even with something like pizza it was stressful because of possible cross-contact with the pizza cutter. There was a period of time where I couldn’t believe it whenever we’d eat out or order in—I was on the edge of my seat thinking, “Is this really real?” but I kept reminding myself Payton had safely eaten 4 ounces of carp, which was his most severe allergy, so even if there was cross-contact I knew he would be safe.
How has TIP changed your child’s life?
Payton is a big foodie and he loves the freedom he has now—he’s so happy to be able to eat anything. Back when we first found the program, he would make lists of all the things he was excited to try. He would stare people down and say, “One day I’m going to eat that,” or, “One day I’m going to be able to try that.” He was so excited to go to Chinatown. He didn’t even know what he was eating and didn’t even care. The amount of restaurants that opened up for him was insane.
How has TIP changed your family’s lives?
We have so much freedom now, too. We can go out of the country and stay at any hotel we want without calling ahead to ask about their allergy program. I was so used to being careful but now we can do anything we want to do and go anywhere we want to go. We’re so much more relaxed.
