Allergy Update

I've become accustomed to the boys' large medical files. Well, Nate's is large; Jay's and E's are downright huge! In-between, hidden in the file cabinet, is GracieGirl's file. I think it has two sheets of paper in it. She's been the healthy one.

Today, she and Jay had appointments with the allergist. We never took her before because, although she had problems as a baby, a friend suggested that we take her off of wheat. Problems solved! I told her doctor what we'd done, and he didn't see the need in having her tested.

Late last summer, we reintroduced wheat into her diet, and she seemed to tolerate it well, so we assumed she'd outgrown any allergy or sensitivity she may have had to it. Then, in the fall, her nose started running...all the time. She started having lots of problems with gas, and we wondered if she had reflux.

She was tested this morning, and the allergist said that she isn't just allergic to all trees, all grasses, and all weeds, she's severely allergic to every last one of them! Animals were okay, except for mice. Foods were okay; she didn't test positive to any of the top allergens. She's allergic to one mold and to dust. Ugh.

The allergist suspects Celiac Disease, so we have to get a blood test for that.

So much for my healthy little girl. I'm just thankful that we have some answers and can start working towards helping her!

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Doctors and More Doctors!

We've been in full swing with doctor's appointments again. We'd switched allergists, thinking that it would be easier to have all of the children's doctors at Children's Hospital, but we decided to go back to our old allergist. Nate and E went this week and GracieGirl and J are going tomorrow. The allergist said that Nate's asthma is under control but his allergies are bothering him. E's report wasn't as good, and the poor little guy came home with a stack of prescriptions!

Jay saw the dermatologist again, too, and she thinks that some of his problems with nighttime scratching may be behavioral. I'm not sure why she would think that, since the majority of his body is covered with eczema, and I'd kind of think that that's why he's scratching! She wants us to make an appointment with a behavioral specialist through Jay's developmental pediatrician at the autism center. We'll try anything that might help; I just to get to it on my To Do list yet!

Jay had a sleep study a few nights ago. He had some trouble dealing with all of the wires, but he loved the room...the bed with a sleep number mattress, the big, comfy quilt, the large flat screen TV, and lots of snacks. Once he was settled in, he lay back and said, "Yep, I could definitely get used to this!" He paused for a second and added, "It's not because of the TV or even the snacks; it's because there's a bed in here for you, too!" He's so sweet...

He brought his sleeping bag with him because he practically lives in it at home, so that helped comfort him a bit.

Jay in his favorite sleeping bag. I don't know how he does it,
but he walks in it and goes up and down stairs in it!

So, I was selfishly thinking that I might get a decent night's sleep, being away from the nighttime drama here at home. I went to bed at around 11:00pm, got comfy, closed my eyes...and Jay's monitor started going off! The tech came in and turned it off, and once again, I settled in. Three minutes later, it went off again! This time, both techs came in, turned on the lights, started replacing parts on the machine, and finally left. I don't know what the problem was, but this went on most of the night! I was feeling far from refreshed when they woke us up at 6:00am! I'd begged asked for late checkout, just as I'd done during my sleep study, and once again, I was turned down! ;)

I was feeling sad this weekend because, for the first time ever, we missed Sesame Place with the Variety Club. E is really struggling with his asthma, so he couldn't go. He's had a few rough days (and nights!) between the asthma, allergies, hives all over his arm one night, and the little, itchy bumps that are covering his entire back! The allergist ordered blood work for him to check on some of his allergies. Nick thought that these symptoms were perhaps linked to the Cyclic Neutropenia, which makes his white count low every three weeks. If this is the low period, maybe his little body just can't handle everything. I don't know, but I sure would like to help him feel better!

Now we're just continuing to pray that E stays out of the hospital. The treatments aren't helping much, and tonight his breathing was really labored. I still don't feel confident about knowing exactly when he needs to go to the hospital, but Nick is confident that he knows. Prayers greatly appreciated for our little guy!

E decided that the only way to feed the birds is to dump the seed
all over the place, roll in it, pull up leaves and sticks,
and then sit and call the birds to come eat!


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Red Lentil Soup

2 cups onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled & minced
7 1/2 cups water
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 cups red lentils
Fresh parsley, opt.


Sauté the onion and garlic in 1/2 cup water in a large pot until the
onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the turmeric, cumin, ginger, black
pepper, and cayenne; cook for 1 minute.

Add the lentils and the remaining 7 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover
and simmer for 1 hour.

Stir in sea salt to taste. Puree in the Vitamix until smooth.

Garnish with fresh parsley before serving, if desired.