Allergist

It would be an understatement to say the allergist was a jerk. By the end of the appointment I came to the conclusion that he really is a good allergist but has very little people skills. It would also be an understatement to say I cry easily, and with that being said the allergist made me cry because he was so rude. I m very sensitive when it comes to my children and them having exczema. I have always done everything that doctors tell me and Mike and I try hard to make sure neither of them are itchy. Last week when I took Evan to the dermatologist he said I was doing everything I could and Evan's skin looked good and breakouts are normal for kids with eczema. Well according to our allergist today (apparently he is the best person in the world, his feelings not mine) that guy was wrong. So who do I believe. I have had so many opinions by so many professionals and I'm just frustrated. I have dealt with exczema for more than 4 years and heard a lot of new information today. Not to say the doctor was wrong or crazy and I know everything because I know I don't, but why after 4 years do I hear information contradicting everything I have heard for the last 4 years. Apparently the only thing I am doing right is using All free and clear laundry detergent. I quit using Dove soap about a month ago because I felt like it was drying out the boys' skin. Well Dr. Smarty pants thought that was stupid since its a moisturizer. I have been told by our current pediatrician ( and I really hope she reads this only because I know he would have gotten her all fired up) that I need to use Eucerin cream on them twice a day. I think this lotion has really helped however, Dr. Know-it-all says it can make excezma worse and I should quit using it. He says I need to use plain Vaseline, which I am fine with because it is MUCH cheaper than the other.
This Dr. was just making me feel like everything I have been told is wrong, and that is very frustrating to a parent that wants nothing more than to do what is right for her kiddos.
Dr. Perfect was very disgusted with the blood allergy test results from our Dr. because he says the Lab they use does a different kind of test and its (of course) much better than the lab my Dr. uses. So they are just going to run another blood allergy test and after he explained all of this to me it really did make sense, and I was glad Carter did not have to have the pokey skin test. He was saved from any poking today, and when we go tomorrow to the oncologist they will draw his blood for this test when they put in an IV. That was the best thing that Dr. said all day.
Oh yeah and I almost forgot to tell you about the milk issue. Apparently if a child is truly allergic to cow's milk (OK so is the Dr. trying to call me a liar) he would also be allergic to goat's milk because it is virtually the same. I'm sorry the last time I checked cow's and goat's were two totally different animals. So Dr. Crazy thinks we should switch from our free goat's milk to not free soy milk. Which honestly if it is better for my baby than I don't really care how much it cost but if this is just his educated guess then yes I have a problem with it.
Sorry for the long boring post, but as you can tell this guy frustratd me.
I wasn't too nervous about tomorrow until today so please be praying that everything will go smooth and we won't be surprised by any bad news. Thank you all for your support.

In all things God works for the good.

(2nd post of the day)

Romans 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Last Tuesday I posted about all of Carter's allergies and that we had to go see an allergist. I got a call that said his appointment was Thursday, October 2, in St. Louis. Great, they got us in so quick. Oh wait, bad, his oncologist appointment is October 10, that means 2 separate trips to St. Louis 2 weeks in a row. Not so good! I would have done it and it would have been OK but not really looking forward to the expense that comes with 2 trips to St. Louis. So I called the allergist to reschedule and we were looking at March, umm no thank you. So then I called the oncologist hoping they could move his appointment up, but I was very doubtful. Well they called the next day and lo and behold they moved his appointment to Friday October 3!! Yeah! I love it when things work out like that. So we will be going to St. Louis on Wednesday and Carter will see the allergist on Thursday and have a CT on Friday.

I am dreading the allergist appointment because at this time I am still going alone. My grandma told me she is going to win. So I will need lots of prayers that Carter won't hate me when this is all said and done.

If you read my Not Me! Monday post, you would know I am on crutches. I had been exercising with one of my friends and one day (don't ask me why) we decided to start running. So we had done it about 10 times and one day my ankles were hurting while we ran. When we stopped I could barely walk. I just thought my muscles were not used to the running so I took it easy for a few days. Well a few days turned into a week and a half. I was not getting any better and in fact I was getting worse. So I finally went to the doctor to find out I have a stress fracture and need to stay off of it. Umm hello!! I have 2 kids, I can't stay off of it. I have been doing the best i can, OK well not really, but fairly well. However, there is no way to use crutches in St. Louis this weekend. I am hoping for a quick miraculous healing.


I haven't posted a picture in a while so thought I would. This is from when my grandma came to visit on Labor day weekend. Not a good one of Evan but cute of Carter. Of course he has something in his mouth, always does!

Not Me! Monday

Another not me post. Last week I felt so free after posting all the things I had not done. Well here are more things I did not do this week.

I did not make another sweet and very fattening dessert this week and again eat to much of it after all I am still trying to eat healthy.

I did not eat above mentioned dessert (Hershey bar pie) while watching Biggest Loser, that would just be wrong.

I did not wait 10 days to go to the doctor for a hurt ankle to find out its a stress fracture. Why would I wait so long in that much pain.

I did not throw the crutches to the side as soon as I got home with them.

I did not pinch my husband so hard on the arm that he cried and gave him a huge bruise. That would be so mean and I would never do anything like that. (I am still very sorry honey!)

I did not take Carter to daycare without crutches and then get to work and use the crutches.

I did not walk around on my sore ankle without the crutches ALL day Saturday at a fall festival and then in Springfield.

I did not overeat at a pizza buffet on Saturday. I did not eat dessert twice!

I did not buy Carter a pair of shoes a size too small because I am not an idiot and I know what size shoes he wears.

I did not give Carter a decongestant yesterday because he can't have it all this week due to allergy testing on Thursday. I did not tell Mike not to give it to him and then give it to him myself. (I felt sorry for the poor stuffy boy who was gaging on the junk in his throat)

I did not find out one of my friends who has been trying for a long time is pregnant. (Shh.. its still a secret) I also did not call her back several hours later just to tell her I was so excited and I couldn't quit thinking about her, that would be weird.

I did not eat a whole pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream by myself. Actually I didn't really eat it all and I did not pick out all the cookie dough chunks.

Be sure to check out MckMama's site for more Not Me! Monday.

Leave me a comment and tell me things you did not do this week. If you participate in Not Me! Monday on your own blog let me know as well as MckMama.

You have got to be kidding!!

A few weeks ago I took Carter to the doctor for his 15 month check up and they did blood allergy testing. Well, they called today to give me the results and my first thought was "Are you kidding me?" We already knew he was allergic to Cow's milk, but the rest I had no clue. So are you ready. The boy is allergic to milk, egg, peanut, cat, 4 types of grass and 3 types of trees. So do I need to just put him in a bubble?? Needless to say they are going to send us to a pediatric allergist probably in the same hospital we already go to every 3 months for his cancer. I was totally blown away by all these allergies, no wonder he is always snotty and broke out.

More uplifting note: On Sunday Carter got a hold of something he knew he wasn't supposed to have and kindly brought it to me and said "Uh Oh I did it." Poor kid totally told on himself. It was hilarious and of course I cracked up.
The other day Evan told me he knew what hotel started with so of course I was thinking he was going to say H but when I asked him what he pointed to the number 8 and said eight. A little confused I remembered when we went on vacation ( yes, I know I still haven't posted about it) we stayed at a Super 8 on the way there and on the way back, and we pass by a Super 8 every time we take him to school. Smart little stinker he is, how do you correct something that cute?
That's all I have for today. I'll let you all know when the allergy testing is because I know it will be torture for all involved and I will need prayer. My grandma already told me she wasn't going with me to that appointment and I quickly told her she would DEFINITELY be going, we will see who wins.

Not Me! Monday

MckMama started a new blog carnival that is sure to be entertaining. These are things I certainly have NOT done this week. You can see more Not Me! Monday's here.


I did not tell my 4 year old I would get him some milk in just a minute and then fall back asleep yesterday while he did whatever he wanted. That would be irresponsible and I would never do that.

I did not take same 4 year old to church last night with a 101 fever and let him spread his germs to everyone. No way! ( I really didn't know he had a fever until we got home)

I never let Evan go into Carter's crib just so I can have a few more minutes doing whatever it is I am doing before I get Carter out of bed.

I did not freak out and think Evan had a tumor in his leg because he suddenly said it hurt and started limping. That would be completely stupid and I would never be that irrational. And I am not taking him to the doctor partially for above said reason today.

I did not make No Bake cookies over the weekend and eat a TON of them because I am trying to eat healthy and I would not do that.

Try Not Me Monday it is so freeing!! Check back on following Mondays to see what I have not done the previous week.

First day of Preschool

Evan started preschool Friday, Aug. 22. (Yes, I know that was 3 weeks ago.) I can't believe he is old enough to go to school but apparently he is. He goes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the local Christian school. He had a great first day and I only cried once. Actually I didn't even cry when I dropped him off but in the middle of the day. The school called me twice because he was "itchy". He has eczema and he happened to be very broke out Friday morning. Well I forgot to tell school that he had eczema so they weren't sure if it was an allergic reaction or a rash. The first time I explained to them what it was and the second time they told me he was so miserable and asked if there was anything I could bring him. So I left work to take him the medicine that helps and some lotion. On the way there I had a mini-emotional break down because I felt so sorry for my little 4 year old boy that can't even enjoy the first day of preschool due to being itchy when the doctors tell me I am doing all that I can to help him. Well no, if he is still miserable than I am not doing all I can! There must be more. So we are going to the dermatologist on Sept. 24 and I pray they can give us some kind of new light.
So you may be wondering where the pictures of him on the first day are and well the truth is I forgot! I know, I am a horrible mom. On the second day of school he would not let me take his picture. I wish I would have been smart enough to take a picture of him pouting, that would have been memorable and hilarious.
More later, I promise a vacation post is coming soon.

Long time no post (AGAIN)

WOW! Where does time go?? I really planned on writing more often and now it been a week and a half.
Can you believe it has been 4 months since Carter was diagnosed with NB?!? Looking back it seems like it was forever ago. I still can't believe how fast everything happened. I still often look back and think "I really thought he was teething". I guess it just seems so surreal. Almost like 4 months ago I had a really bad dream and something like that surely didn't shake US, it must have been someone else and I just tell the story. I will admit I am still a little anxious about the whole "C" word. I just can't help to think about it. My family thinks I am silly and Mike is good at ignoring the fact the Carter has cancer, but I just can't shake it. I will be worried until he sees the oncologist in October then she will ease all my fear and stress how well he is doing and I will feel better at least for a while.
FYI I have 2 posts that I am working on. One about Evan starting pre-school and one about vacation, so I really will get those out soon. Hopefully this week. I have just been so busy and our Internet connection at home isn't the best so its hard to find a place and a time to write. I really appreciate your comments and prayers for our family.
Please pray for the Mikulak family. I found Max's story sometime in May and although I try to avoid blog's about kids with NB I couldn't help myself to continue to follow his story. I knew Max was very ill and his parents knew he was dying, but it came as a shock to find out Max died on Sunday. I hope I never find myself in that situation. Please pray for them as I know they need it.