Does ANYBODY HEAR ME?!

I just got back from an allergy appointment with my baby, Noah. He will be 5 in May. He is the sweetest little 4 year old. But since he was TWO WEEKS he has had eczema. It started under his arm pits, and then gradually spread. At one year it was in the bends of his elbows and knees. At two we noticed it was starting to develop behind his ears and on his wrists. At age three it was forming on his knuckles, toes, and genitals. Now it is on his face. He has had two skin allergy tests and three blood allergy tests. He's been to a dermatologist and two allergists. His skin is hyper sensitive. He got a fever blister once and it turned into a serious medical condition called eczema herpeticum. Basically the fever blisters spread all over his face. It was serious enough to be monitored daily by the doctor. Had it spread into his eye the only treatment would have been IV antibiotics administered in the hospital, with the prayer that the infection did not enter his brain. Thankfully it cleared up before such a measure had to be taken.

However since the eczema herpeticum, his face just won't seem to clear up. He had his six month allergy visit two weeks ago. When the doctor noticed his lips he put him on 2 antibiotics and three oral antihistamines and three steroid creams. All to be administered morning and night. It finally cleared up and for the first time in well over 4 months I could see his top lip once more. But it is starting to crust over again. He went back in today for a follow-up to the follow-up. The allergist said that "he is pretty maxed out-we can't do much else. And if he seems to have skin irritations again please take him to his pediatrician and let him know that Noah is very antibiotic responsive." Well that is all well and fine IF your pediatrician will prescribe antibiotics when the skin looks inflamed. Mine won't. He says a culture is needed, and it can't be cultured when it is oozing--it must be crusty. "And then getting a culture when it is crusty can be painful, so why do we want to do that? Just let it clear up on it's own." Studies show that people who have eczema tend to have high levels of staph on their skin. When they get an open sore it is easier for them to contract a staph infection. So often when his skin is so angrily red it won't clear up on it's own like yours or mine would. Yet there are no traces of allergies according to his tests (the allergist was quick to point that out to me today). I know that, but SOMETHING is causing this. And his tests did not show an allergy to cashews, but we know unfortunately that he is in fact VERY allergic to cashews. Chris gave him some and within 30 minutes his face was turning red, he was scratching, complaining of his throat hurting, and one hour into the reaction he threw up. So I ask...do ANY of your professionals hear me?! The mom?!

I know this sounds so minuscule compared to some illnesses. I lost a brother at the age of four to leukemia. I'd much rather deal with eczema than what my mom dealt with. Nonetheless, no one wants to see their child suffer to any degree. And it amazes me that he is generally a happy child. UNTIL... his skin becomes inflamed, or people so rudely stare, or walk AROUND him in the stores. So I sit here praying over my baby. Praying that some day he will be free of this mess. That some day he will be able to go to bed and not wake up the next morning with blood all over his clean pajamas (or favorite sheets) from the itch. Praying that some day he will not handle stress by scratching until he's created a scar. Praying that some day he will no longer have to answer rude questions when people stare at him. Praying that he will be able to attend school without parents drawing their children away in the fear that he has some deadly contagious disease. Praying that some day he will feel good about his skin. It is hard enough to feel good about the skin you're in without any medical conditions, but I can't imagine feeling the way Noah does.

Lord, Noah is your child. And as much as I love him, You love him more. Help us get through this. I pray for healing for his body. I pray you would allow the doctors to treat Noah in the best way for him. And I am so thankful for the sweet spirit you have given him. In those tough times allow me to also draw strength from that attitude. Send people in his life who will love him for him, and not fear him for the disease, because I know Noah is fearfully and wonderfully made, and I praise you for that gift. Amen