I had my first anaphylactic reaction to fish in 1989, a couple months before my 9th birthday. I arrived at the hospital in time to receive epinephrine and thankfully I survived. Allergy tests would reveal I was allergic to all seafood and fish, though I’d been eating it without incident nearly every week for my entire life up to that point.

When you’re a caregiver for a loved one with a chronic illness such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, it’s hard to know what any given day will be like. Some days are better than others. Life is grand when your loved one is feeling strong and healthy, ready to take on the world. But the challenging days come hard and fast.