This will be a venting post, because I don't know what to do.
I developed a pepper allergy about three years ago that's gotten steadily worse. It's been very difficult for my family to adjust to a zero pepper lifestyle. Holidays are nightmarish and require extensive platitudes and explanations.
I thought we got this one right, though. For my grandma's birthday we went around and around on foods that the family would eat and foods I can eat. I eventually conceded to pizza, prayed that the sauce wouldn't be too spicy, and went over toppings that were and were not acceptable ie. no bell peppers, no sausage, no pepperoni. My mom agreed to pick up a mushroom pizza and a Canadian bacon pizza.
She ended up getting a pepperoni and a half mushroom half sausage. Hmm, how will this work? Well, first the PEPPERoni can fill the house with the smells of various peppers. Then we can cook the mushroom half right next to the sausage so the BELL PEPPER that's been saran wrapped can bake into the "safe" pizza.
Tell me I am not the only one seeing this!!!!
When I asked her about the sausage and pepperoni she said, "Well, what is everyone else supposed to eat?" Maybe something that, oh, I don't know, DOESN'T HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO KILL ME?!!!
Now, I'm hiding in my room during my grandma's birthday with the windows open and hoping the smell will dissipate before it get's to the third floor. And I am the one who feels bad. I don't get to spend time with my family, celebrate a birthday, or even enjoy a meal. I'm tired of feeling excluded, bothersome, and ignored.
I want to be productive about the situation and find ways to stop this from happening again, but no one listens. My family knows I am allergic to peppers, they've seen me have a bad reaction, and they know I carry epi-pens in case things go badly. What else can I do?