Ross' Results

We wanted to let you all know that we received Ross' results in the mail today, and they were not exactly what we were expecting. The results were actually much worse than we had originally anticipated. There were increased eosinophils present in his small intestines, large intestines, and blood vessels; as well as, his esophagus. The numbers were outstanding in his esophagus at 245 eos/hpf...they should be zero. His doctors have a meeting scheduled for February 5 to discuss his treatment options. At this point, his options are very limited. The three options that we know about at this time are: 1. Formula only for three months (like Abigail) 2. Large doses of inhaled steroids swallowed (indefinitely) 3. Biological trail drugs. Please be in prayer that God direct the doctors and us down the right treatment path and that we are prepared to do what needs to be done. Thank you all for the prayer and support you have shown our family. Although this news was difficult to take in we know the Father has mighty things in store for the future!

Pasta Picture

Thanks for the compliments on the picture. Yes, to answer any questions, I did take the picture. I decided that I had to have a picture to remember all of my hard work ;). Also, I have not yet tasted the pasta, but Ross and Hannah both gobbled it up. I suppose that means it was good! I am hoping to try it next time around.

Updates and Noodles

Although we do not have an update at this time on Ross' progress; Abigail, does have results. She still has a few (11 eos/hpf)residual esoinophils. There was some progress from the last scope, so we were instructed to continue formula only for the next six months. At that point we will scope again, and hopefully be able to start food trails.

Here is a picture from what I like to refer to as "Ross-free" pasta that I handmade today.

Home Sweet Home

We have made it home. The trip was very long and exhausting, but we made it. I will post more later...after we have recuperated. We are home, and my sister just dropped off the big girls a few minutes ago. It is nice to be a whole family again!

Our Friday

Well, we decided to stay an extra day because Abigail still isn't feeling well. Abigail's allergist here worked her in today and said that she has a viral infection. We have albuterol that we can give her in case she starts having breathing difficulty on the way home, but hopefully we have avoided that situation this time around.
We were able to spend time with Mike, Ramona, and Conner again this evening before heading home in the morning. I am so thankful that the Lord has united our families, and I am looking forward to growing our friendship for years to come.
We are all packed up and ready to head home early in the morning. Our goal is to leave here by 4 am...that's right, that would be 3 your (AR) time. I will leave you with this sweet moment. Ross and I were eating dinner tonight when Ross suddenly got this "what are you doing" look on his face. He said, Abigail just reenacted a scene from The Little Mermaid. I started to ask which one when I realized that she was holding a fork. Yes, anyone who has children will know that Scuttle tells Ariel that the fork is a dingle hopper and that it is for brushing your hair. So when Ariel "gets legs" as my kids would say, she is eating dinner, sees a fork, and begins brushing her hair. After I, "Awe she's soooo cute," I realized how gross that really is. Although it could be worse; at least all she was eating was ice! In case you didn't know, she LOVES Ariel. I leave you now with a smile on your faces.

Past and Present

A year ago today, our sweet baby was being admitted to Arkansas Children's Hospital for dehydration, feeding refusal, failure to thrive, and malnutrition. Little did we know that she would be diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis; and exactly one year later, Ross would be in Cincinnati having an upper and lower scope for the same disease. It is amazing how things can change in the span of a year. Here are a couple of pictures from where we were last year...

Ross came through both scopes well; although, the doctor said that he was very agitated while they were trying to get the upper scope down so they had to keep sedating him. He is sleeping now and will probably be out most of the day. Apparently they gave him A LOT of medication.
It will be a couple of weeks before we get the results of his scope because after Dr. K's lab read the pathology reports, his biopsies will be reviewed by Cincinnati Children's and then the doctors will discuss his future treatment options.

Snow, Allergies, and a Fever

This picture was taken while it was snowing. The snow has melted off of the roads, but a dusting remains on the grassy areas.
Look familiar? Yes, those are the same looking whelps that Miss Abigail had on her little arms!

Here you go, Ross' allergies: milk, wheat, peanut, soy, apple, apricot, banana, blueberry, cantaloupe, coconut, lemon, orange, strawberry, watermelon, barley, corn, oat, rice, rye, sesame, sunflower, almond, Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, walnut, codfish, flounder, lobster, scallops, shrimp, tuna, green beans, broccoli, carrot, celery, onion, lettuce, pea, squash, tomato, molds, ragweed, grass, trees, weeds, mites, cockroach, and cat. Basically, he can eat meat and potatoes, every man's dream! :) Although, my husband used to enjoy eating fruits and vegetables. I knew it was probably going to be bad, but luckily he will be able to eat all of the meats. Ross is now doing the prep for his upper and lower scopes tomorrow. We have to be at the office by 7 am and his scope will be at 8.

Now for the fever part...Abigail started running a temp. of 101.2 degrees. We are assuming that she has picked up a virus from spending the past three days in and out of doctor's offices. We are praying that she doesn't have the flu! The hospital has a strict visitation policy in place during flu season where children under 12 aren't allowed to visit and all of the "community toys" are locked away, but she still managed to pick up something. I guess we should feel fortunate that this is the first time that she has gotten sick from one of our many visits to the doctor.