*I think I’ve tried to start this post like 5 times now and I’m not sure how to do it. It’s also going to be kind of long and rambly, but since this is my blog, I don’t really care, but I wanted to give you some warning.*

So, after our lovely playdate on Monday, Tuesday we all got up bright and early and headed down to the Allergist for Henry’s much anticipated Allergy testing.

Henry, like his mother, has atopic dermatitis. His, I believe is manifesting a bit earlier than mine, and seems a bit more severe than mine was in my youth. But, as I’ve said a few times now, I’ve kind of blocked a lot of my grade school out of my mind, and thankfully I have very little memory of my actual eczema problems, just foggy images of blood soaked socks from cracks in my toes, as well as itchy feet and not wanting to wear sandals due to embarrassment .

Anyway: The Doctor brings us in after a 40+ minute wait and explains that Henry is (and I am) missing a protein in our genetic make up that makes our skin “thin”, thinner than normal peoples skin and pretty much ANYTHING can irritate it. For example, it’s not wool he is allergic to, but the friction from the wool. This also means if he’s having a temper tantrum and I have to pick him up 15 times for whatever reason, sooner than later, he’ll start having an eczema episode where his shirt rubbed on his skin over and over again. He told us that the two most common allergins that make atopic dermatitis worse were dust mites, and pet dander, aka our cats. Henry was tested for both. He came back allergic to only one. Muswell and Sunday.

Here’s a picture of us trying to get him to calm down after they stuck two needles under his skin when the first horrific prick tests, followed by a 15 minute wait came back with nothing.

So, when I saw the little needle prick “essence of cat” quickly get bigger and bigger and bigger, my stomach started to feel sicker and sicker and sicker. I knew what the Dr. was going to say, it was just a matter of time. And, I was right. But first it took another 40+ minute wait.

Not only is he allergic to cats, but the dander and fur is aggravating the dermatitis and is making it much much worse. He said that he would recommend allergy shots, but they can’t start for another 5 years. It’s so hard for me to even type what he said. It wasn’t cruel, mean, unheard of or even something the surprised me. “Find your cats a new home”, he said. “Your son is going through hell”. Unfortunately, he’s right. My son is going through hell. If anyone has been around him when he’s having an eczema outbreak, you know it’s awful. We have to put up to 7 different creams and lotions on him 2x a day, just to keep it in check.

Here we are post-horrific testing at St. Viateurs for some grub and a visit with the Bagel Men, which were kind enough to let us bother them about 4 times.

And here we are, the next day, at Bilboquet getting “orange treats” aka orange sorbet, because we were going to do it Allergy Test Day, but Henry was too upset and traumatized, we weren’t able to do it.

Meanwhile, I’m stuck with the realization that whilst, I’m preparing for a trans-atlantic move, saying goodbye to all my family members while not actually able to get home before I go, and preparing for the inevitable changes that will occur when I experience the also inevitable culture shock of moving to the UK, I was recommended by a Dr. to say goodbye to my two best buddies. How can I do that? Can I do that?

Are they perfect? Heavens no. But they do get along and have been together for almost 8 years now. I can’t imagine them being separated from me, let alone each other. We have some options: they can still come with us. They are travel ready, we have a Foster Home set up from June till October when a Pet Travel Agent (yup, you read that right, again) will be taking them to the World Cargo of BA and fly them over to us. However, it’s a lot of money, like almost as much as our moving company costs to do this for what would be two outdoor only cats.

I also can’t really leave them in the hands of strangers here in Quebec. We have no family living here, and many of our friends have cats. And with the recent news of how terrible Quebec ranked on the Animal Cruelty front,  I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to live with myself.

This isn’t a plea for someone to take my cats, as they Can live outside happily in our new home, and they Will be happier than in this crowded little apartment. However, if anyone has any suggestions AT. ALL, They would be welcomed. I’m a bit at a loss, and I’m kind of running out of time.