Trip to All Children's

The car is loaded up and ready to go . . . as soon as we get in the car, of course. =0)

I guess I was hoping for more information from this doctor's visit. I think I was hoping that they would prescribe one med instead of keeping Isaiah on the 10 he is already on and adding 2 new ones (well, adding 1 and exchanging one). He now has prednisone and elocon added to the regimen of 10 medications, bringing the total to 11 meds a day (the elocon replaces the triamcinolone). Thank God, it's not 12! =0) Seriously, though - thank God!

Anyway, the appointment went as expected. NO leukemia (which I figured, but it's still scary to hear the word)!!!! His eosinophils, RBC, HCT, HGB, Anion Gap were high, along with the IgE levels (which I will get to in a minute). He actually had a few lows (Osmo, Retic). His IgE level from 2006 went from over 700 to 2,000!!! I guess that explains some things. His levels with the foods haven't changed at all, and the levels to cats and dogs is close to being off their charts. We were told he needs to stay away from animals as he is so sensitive it could set him off. Good thing we don't have any pets apart from the fish! =0) That also means visiting homes with pets . . . there is no guarantee that the antihistamines will control the reaction (which has resulted in anaphylaxis). His other levels (the specific food IgE levels) did not change. His allergies to the usual allergy suspects are still off the charts - we won't be adding any new foods for a while. The doctors are skeptical, with his levels, that he will ever be able to eat any of those foods. We are still looking at a strict avoidance of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts & tree nuts, all seafood, beans . . . I could go on, but you'd be here a while. =0)


The doctors said that they want Isaiah on a low dose of steroids for a while, to stop the anaphylaxis episodes from happening so often - they didn't like the idea that Isaiah has the episodes 4 to 5 times a year . . . he's already had 4 or 5 so far this year. They also classified his eczema as severe and gave Isaiah the elocon to help control the rashes. Elocon is usually not something that they prescribe unless it's warranted in children. It's also not something that Isaiah will be on for an extended period of time - too much of the topical steroids can cause cataracts.

We are now to give the Epis at the first sign of a reaction - even just vomiting/diarrhea/cramps (like a couple of nights ago), itchy throat (along with hoarseness and tightness), breathing difficulties/coughing/wheezing, weak pulse/fainting/dizziness, and unconsciousness. Any one of those merits the use of the epi. Of course there is also the usual hives and edema. I hate giving the Epi - it's huge! It looks like it hurts so much, yet I don't want Isaiah to die either. I don't like him getting sick, I don't like him being in pain, I don't like the discomfort of these now confirmed "severe" rashes. It's hard to watch him go through this. He is so brave.

The doctors said that allergy shots would be too risky - he's too sensitive. He could have a severe reaction just from the shot. There are allergy shots available for food allergies, but, again, Isaiah is way too sensitive. There are also only a few shots available for food allergies and still not worth the risk to Isaiah. The doctors wanted to do skin tests, but his IgE levels are just way too high (from the RAST testing - a blood test). He's allergic to soooo much stuff.

For now, we except thing for what they are, with a hope for healing and a different future. For now, Isaiah has this horrible disease along with the rest of these allergies. However, I know that God is able to do amazing things - God can heal Isaiah. Maybe we won't see Isaiah healed today, but there is always a hope for tomorrow. For some reason, God has Isaiah here. God knows what He's doing, even if we don't know the whole plan. At this point, I don't need to know the whole plan, just as long as God gives me the strength to get through this. As long as God gives Isaiah the strength to get through this.

On a lighter note, Isaiah seems to be feeling better. He is giggling again and less grumpy. On our trip home, Isaiah was wide awake and talking/singing for almost the whole time. There was one time where Isaiah was crying. He was inconsolable and crying, "Help me, Mommy!" I felt awful! When I pulled off at a gas station and got him out of the car, he was still crying - he looked like he was in pain. I just kept thinking, "Oh, not here. Not now. PLEASE!!! We are too far away from All Children's and not close enough to home for this to happen!" Well, there was no need to fear . . . I took Isaiah into the bathroom where he told me to take off his diaper. What??? So, I did. I asked him if he wanted to sit on the potty and he said, "Yes!" I didn't think the child would ever stop peeing!!! =0) Isaiah went to the potty!!!! YAY! =0) Of course as soon as we got home, it all ended. Yup, he won't go near the potty! =0) Go figure! I guess it was one of those one-time things. =0) At least he has the idea, right?

We also got stuck in pre-launch traffic!!! Ugh! It was stop and go for sooo long, but we finally made it home . . . and before the shuttle launch, too! Yup, we saw the whole thing! It was amazing! The sky was clear enough this time to actually see the night launch, too (the time before was pretty cloudy and you only saw a little bit of the launch before the shuttle was covered by clouds)! =0) I have a video of the whole thing. Isaiah loved it! I also have pictures of the moon - it was just a beautiful night last night!

If you listen closely, you can hear Isaiah's excitement . . . and you can see where I was having issues with the tripod (and the camera because I was arguing with the tripod) . . . and where I picked the tripod up because I gave up on using it! =0)