Friday, March 9, 2012

The Results

I've been on pins and needles all week, waiting for Keandre's doctor to call with results from the biopsies.  To be honest, I didn't expect good news.  Keandre flares so easily.  The last five foods we tried to add to his diet were a fail.  And he's been affected by the wind and high pollen count in the last two weeks, too.  (For some people, EE and EGE have an environmental component.)

So it felt like a little miracle -- God's gift and encouragement to us and our son during a difficult season -- when Dr. S. called this afternoon and said Keandre SCOPED CLEAR!  Amazing.  Something to cry happy tears about! :)

For the EoE moms who read here, last July Keandre had 4 eos in his esophagus, and 37 in his stomach.  (At diagnosis in March '11, it was much worse than that!)  Now they found one eosinophil in his esophagus, and NONE in his stomach. 

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE) is an uncommon and difficult condition to treat.  Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (EGE) is far more rare, and harder to treat.  Our little guy has both conditions.  Both are, physically at least, controlled right now!  He is not consuming elemental formula or steroid slurries to coat his esophagus.

Although this news made my day, Keandre's response was less than I hoped for.  And yet he was right on.  A first, he smiled, pleased with the news that his tummy looked good.  And then, for the next hour, he was grouchy and needy.  Finally, I figured it out. 

It's great to hear that you're doing better.  But when you still experience daily pain, it's a small comfort.  And when you sometimes struggle to swallow the few foods you're allowed to eat, it's a scary feeling.

Thank you, THANK YOU, for your prayers and support over the last few years.  You have blessed us greatly! 

Please continue to pray for wisdom for Andy and I and Keandre's doctors as we continue down this path.  Please pray for pain relief for Keandre, and healing for his heart as he daily faces the reality that he cannot live like other kids his age.

We know the Lord loves our little guy deeply, and has all his days planned out before him.  He has sustained us through many struggles, and we are hopeful for the future.

9 comments:

Karen Peterson said...

Kiara,

I'm so happy to hear the good news. I'm a Christian Scientist and have had many healings through prayer. If you're interested I can give you a copy of Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy which tells all about healing. Let me know and I could drop it off at your house one day after school. Love, Karen Peterson

Jenny said...

What great news! Yet at the same time, I empathize with the day to day difficulty. Glad you were able to connect w/ his feelings.

Adoption Gift Of Love said...

Glad to hear your little one got some good news. I got bad news last week. I found out that my stomach issues may be caused by allergies. I tested positive for allergies to the following.
corn (it's in EVERYTHING!)
tomato
sweet potato
almonds
watermelon
red apples
pears
peaches
grapes
bananas
apricot
strawberry
raspberry
No wonder I was having terrible stomach issues since childhood, I eat most of these fruits on a daily basis and corn is in everything.

I've done a lot of crying this week trying to figure out what to eat.

Hugs to you as you figure out what to feed on your end. It's tough, but the Lord is mighty in giving us strength to endure.
Moe

Andy and Kiara said...

Thanks for the support, Ladies! Moe - I'm sorry to hear that! Keandre can't eat any of those foods either, with the exception of corn (it's a maybe and he's not eating it right now). I will be posting very soon about what Keandre DOES eat, and maybe it will encourage you a little. He is so healthy and strong, despite his major health issues. :) Also, I hope your allergist told you that allergy testing is very iffy. It is well known that it is not accurate, and if you tested positive, means you *might* be allergic to those foods. A great way to find out is to do a strict elimination diet, and add foods back in slowly. As your stomach heals, you'll get a good feel for what doesn't suit you. Also, if you haven't looked into the GAPS diet, or started taking high quality probiotics and Vitamin D3 daily, I'd highly recommend that. Praying tonight that you find peace and comfort in the Lord. Food allergies are very difficult to live with in a society that values food so much.

Jamie said...

SO SO SO SO thankful!!!!

Nichole said...

LOVE IT! what an improvement in his count!

Adoption Gift Of Love said...

http://www.andersoncooper.com/2012/03/22/a-boy-allergic-to-food/
I came across this the other day and thought of you. There is another link here too from the Today Show.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21246628/ns/today-today_health/t/boy-who-allergic-almost-every-food/
Take care,
Moe

Megan said...

Kiara- you are doing such a good job. Stay strong mama. I am praying for you and thinking about you today! Love from KY.

Black Dating said...

Great news!
Prayers can really move mountains.
Thanks for sharing this very informative and inspiring blog of yours. Keep it up best reagrds to your Keandre :)

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