Daniel update

Poor guy! It was a rough day! I honestly didn't know the diarrhea could get any worse. It was a day of soaking through diapers, clothes (his and mine), and onto anything he sat on. "It" came so fast throughout the day, that the diapers couldn't absorb it fast enough.

Daniel cried most of the day. I could tell he was in pain, and nothing I did or could do for him comforted him.

Thus began about 6 calls between the doctor's office and me, and additional calls between the nurse/doctor and the GI specialist at Nemours.

The great concern: dehydration.

I am doing everything I can to tempt the boy with liquids.

The doctor told me to take him off the Children's Pepto Bismol Tablet (I only gave him one a day), and to just hold on. There's nothing more that any of us can do to comfort him or make him well.

So, I ended up joining little guy in tears. Then the children and I left the house (yikes!) to restock on diapers, diaper cream, wipes, sanitizing wipes, and bananas, as well as onesies and pants from a thrift shop to catch the mess.

And tonight, after going back to strictly the B.R.A.T. diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and gluten, egg, soy, and dairy-free toast) and some chicken and chicken broth for protein, he finally had only a wet diaper right before bed. And, he was comforted. He went to bed snuggling and without tears.

I know we will repeat this day for many more days to come, so if you think of us, please pray for Daniel. His GI appointment is set for Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 20th.

His second parasite test came back negative as well. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm glad not to have to deal with parasites--though I've been handling the clean-up as if it is parasites--yet, it may be good to have parasites, because then the pests can be rid of with proper medication.

The doctors are clueless. And so am I.

So, I will leave the updates here for now...with the One Who knows. He's got Daniel.

Morning update

This morning Daniel woke up at 6:30 a.m., and I changed his wet diaper and put him back to bed. At 6:50 a.m. he woke me up with his usual. I was able to clean him up and get his stool sample ready for Quest. Thirty minutes later, all was clean and ready for the morning routine.

I emptied the dish washer (we let the dishes air-dry overnight), made breakfast, served everyone, cleaned up the pot and dishes, did some general cleaning, put the children in front of their science video and put Daniel in the playpen for safety. Then, I took a super fast shower.

I was feeling quite confident with the day, and so I decided to "dress up"--i.e. after all, I was going to Quest today ;). While I was dressing, Daniel started to cry. I went to the living room to find him in a horrible mess. His diarrhea had not stayed contained, it had run down his legs, on his feet, on the sheet in the playpen, soaked through the sheet, was on his hands, and on the sides on the playpen where he was standing, holding on, and crying.

I thought it was throw-up everywhere, until I smelled it.

I lifted Daniel out of the playpen, and went to clean him up. After he was cleaned up, I went to change into my "every-day-cleaning-clothes". Then, I went to work on washing Daniel's clothes and the sheet in the sink before putting them in the washer. (Trust me, it's needed. 'nough said.) Then, I got out the bleach and cleaned the sink. Afterwards, I cleaned and sanitized the entire playpen.

And, I "rewarded" Daniel with Children's Chewable Pepto Bismol and dry toast.

My heart goes out to all the single parents out there. You are heros!

Back to schooling the kiddos....

Evening update

So, we had a crazy busy day. Thus, we only got to Nemours and not to Quest.

The allergy testing showed no allergies to soy, egg, dairy, wheat, gluten...!!!! I know he had blood work up in China, and we received the results of his allergy testing. But, for some reason, he is showing no signs of allergies! Crazy sweet news!!!!

Thus, the allergist said we can slowly reintroduce the foods (minus dairy) until we see the GI doctor. She said he still needs to be checked for Celiac disease, but that he must have an intestinal infection--not related to food. His GI appointment isn't for a couple of weeks, and the diarrhea is persistent.

For now, we are flying high on the news that he is not allergic to the foods we were told he was allergic to. (At the same time, we were warned he could be "intolerant" instead of "allergic". One day at a time.) For now, he is fever-free and can eat standard foods again!

Thus, tomorrow we will finish off the stool samples and blood work at Quest.

With homeschooling and other sicknesses in the family, we are struggling during this transition time.

But, I'm going to focus on the awesome news and call it a "night" with a smile on my face! J

Good night, everyone!

Morning update

Thank you for praying! Daniel's fever is gone and instead of so much crying, I've seen LOTS of smiles already this morning!!! I.am.so.thankful!!!!!!!

He woke up at 6:15 a.m., I changed his wet diaper, and put him back to bed. I woke him up at 7:45 a.m., with diarrhea that was all through his clothes and his sheet. I changed him and cleaned him up. Since then, he's had another diarrhea bout--and it's only 8:10 in the morning.

At least he's constantly drinking!

He will be going to Quest Diagnostic and to Nemours today. Needles. We hate the pain. Poor guy!

Daniel update

We have had Daniel for 38 days, and he's been sick 36 of those days.

After 26 days of diarrhea, we took Daniel off gluten. He was already soy, egg, and dairy-free due to his previously known allergies, so taking him off gluten seemed overwhelming.

We had no idea what we were doing, but with the help of two precious ladies, we were able to get the information and food we needed to begin his new diet immediately.

After 72-hours of being soy, egg, dairy, and gluten-free, Daniel was well for two days--finding relief from his diarrhea.

Then, the diarrhea started again, but just once a day. I thought perhaps it was due to stress--as one of those days he joined his siblings at the dentist for his first visit--or perhaps due to finding and eating crumbs of food around the house (though I made it my ambition to keep all food at the table and to vacuum and sweep continually).

Then Friday afternoon, things got worse. His diarrhea became more frequent, and he seemed sick. He had a horrible weekend, and then Monday morning spiked a fever.

Off we went to the doctor again, and though his first round of testing for parasites came out negative, the doctor decided to retest him. In addition, he will be tested for Celiac disease.

Daniel was transferred to a GI specialist and an allergist. He will be going through a lot more testing beginning tomorrow.

There has been a lot of crying. We know little guy is not well. We hope to find relief for him soon. ♥

If you think of him, please pray for the doctors to have wisdom, and that the tests go smoothly with accurate results. THANKS!