Editing Binky Goes Nuts

While at the hospital, Dr. Kingsbury explains to Binky that the butterfly didn't cause the allergic reaction and adds that Binky's also not allergic to pollen or pet dander, much to Binky's relief. However, Dr. Kingsbury notes that Binky's blood test revealed that he's allergic to peanuts, which worries Mrs. Barnes. Binky doesn't think it's a big deal, pointing out to his mom that he doesn't even like peanuts. But both Mrs. Barnes and Dr. Kingsbury explain that peanut allergies can be quite serious and that if Binky were to ever ingest something that had peanuts or peanut products, he could suffer from anaphylaxis. When Binky makes it clear that he doesn't know what anaphylaxis is, his mom and Dr. Kingsbury explain that it's an acute reaction that some people suffer from if they're allergic to stuff like peanuts, and that it's much dangerous than something as simple as a rash, as it can cause difficulty in swallowing or even breathing. Before Binky and his mom leave, the doctor gives them some special brochures with information on peanut allergies.

That night, Binky has a dream that all the school lunch somehow has peanuts in it, for ridiculous reasons (including milk from a cow <u>named</u> Peanut). The dream continues, with Mrs MacGrady putting him at a table just for kids with allergies and showing him the other kids there: Adam, who has to wear a space suit because of his allergy to Formica, and Ron and Don, who are allergic to their hands and utensils, so they have to eat from a wooden trough. She then serves Binky some Brussels sprouts, saying he will be eating them every day for the rest of his life. Binky, who doesn't like Brussels sprouts, screams “No!”, and the dream ends. The next day, Binky's mom gives him his very own cell phone in case of emergencies.

While at a candy store, Binky's trying to make up his mind about what to buy while assuring his mom (over the phone) that he'll make sure not to get anything that has peanuts in it. Jenna overhears Binky talking to his mom and suggests that he buy Gummi Slugs, which don't have any peanuts or peanut products. Binky says that he doesn't like Gummi Slugs and then questions how Jenna could've known about his peanut allergy. Jenna explains that Binky's parents e-mailed the school about it, which Binky finds embarrassing. Jenna assures him that it's okay, explaining that her family had done the same thing when Jenna was discovered to be allergic to dairy. Binky feels sorry for Jenna upon hearing this, pointing out that there's dairy in pretty much everything, which Jenna notes is true. However, Jenna explains that she got used to it after a while when she and her family became more informed of the allergy and were able to find dairy-alternatives that Jenna could eat, such as a type of ice cream made from rice milk. Jenna offers to help Binky become more informed on his peanut allergy by taking him to the library, which Binky agrees to after buying a bag of cashews.

Later, on a Friday, Binky takes his parents to Chinese restaurant called the Golden Panda. Binky explains to his parents that the place specializes in peanut-free Chinese food, so people like him can still enjoy Chinese food without having to worry about their allergies. Binky asks his parents if they can eat here on Friday nights, which they agree to, much to their son's delight.