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The follwoing is our interview with Brian Hom.
You can read the story of Brian and his son BJ here: http://tinyurl.com/d8pur4
I know that many of you will have questions about this story so I'm grateful to share my interview with Brian Hom with you.
Gina Clowes: Brian, thank you so much for talking with me. I know it must be difficult but you've also shared with me that you're determined to share BJ's story in the hopes of protecting others.
Brian Hom: Yes, and I am in a unique situation in that I have two other sons at home, BJ's younger brothers, who also have peanut allergies. I have to protect my son's.
GC: Let's talk a little bit about your family's history. Do you or your wife Kathy have allergies?
BH: No.
GC: How did you find out that BJ had food allergies?
BH: When he was two years old, he ate something that he reacted to in a restaurant with hives, some redness and swelling on his face. A few years later at preschool, he bit into a piece of candy and had another reaction. Neither time did he have breathing problems.
GC: Did he ever have to go to the emergency room for treatment of his food allergies?
BH: Oh, no.
GC: Was he prescribed an Epi-Pen?
BH: He did when he was younger, but later it seemed manageable without it. We figured an epi-pen was necessary for extreme reactions.
If I had any idea or would have seen what happened that day, I would have carried it with me. I can't tell you how much I wish he was going to get a second chance. I never had any idea that something like this could really happen.
GC: You told me that BJ's anaphylactic reaction in Mexico was completely different from the few previous reactions that he had. How so?
BH: His previous reactions were visible reactions on his skin. He'd get hives, and redness. He had never, ever had this difficulty breathing. This last time, he had no hives. In fact, he was completely pale.
GC: When BJ asked you for the cough drops, did you think that he might be experiencing an allergic reaction?
BH: No, no. He asked for cough drops occasionally. Looking back now though I wonder if these could have been other milder reactions that even he was not aware were allergic reactions.
GC: Had BJ ever complained before about his throat hurting as a symptom of food allergy?
BH: No, never. We were so used to see a rash on his face.
GC: What did you think when BJ asked for the cough drops?
BH: I was thinking: How could he have a sore throat? We just flew from San Jose and he was fine.
GC: What types of reactions had BJ had in the past?
BH: He would always get hives. His face would get red and swollen. We thought that this would be the way reactions would happen for him.
This [last] reaction was so dramatically different. He had no hives, or redness. Yet this time he died within minutes of finishing his last meal.
GC: Did you believe that BJ had a "mild" peanut allergy?
BH: Yes. I had heard stories of people dying but I didn't think we were dealing with that same thing. BJ had had hives on his face once and swollen lip but we gave him Benadryl and they went away.
Now, I meet people who have kids with allergies, and I think they're in denial about how serious it can be. Maybe I was in denial too. We never ever imagined that anything like this could happen.
GC: Do you believe you know what caused BJ's anaphylaxis?
BH: Yes, it was a chocolate mousse dessert from the buffet. I warn families now
