Archive for December 3rd, 2008

:Applause dies down:

Now, Jen, when we last left you, you were about to take A to the Eosinophilic Esophagitis clinic at Children’s.

Yes, Internets, yesterday was the big day, the day we hoped all would be revealed. I made this appointment nearly six weeks ago, and with the huge packet of pre-appointment paperwork behind me, I was looking forward to hearing what the clinic had to say.

So, Jen, what’s the verdict?

For Pete’s sake, nothing is ever easy with this kid. We met with different members of the clinic (two allergists, a gastroenterologist, and the physicians’ assistant) for a little over three hours to discuss, in great detail, A’s medical history. And, after all that, the jury is still out if this is actually EE or if he has really bad reflux that has injured his esophagus. AGH! Really? I mean, really??? So A is on an adult dose of Prevacid twice a day, another endoscopy will be scheduled for two months from now, and he’ll go back in a few weeks for the first of two (maybe three) skin patch testings for allergies. It may not be EE, but the allergists are pretty certain he has some allergies, and we really do need to be treating those.

Wow. Jen. You must be pretty ticked off.

No, just frustrated. A has had stomach issues since he was an infant. I just wish they had been resolved years ago. Poor kid. And I really, really hope the first skin patch testing can be done by the end of the month. If it goes into January, it’s an all new insurance deductible. (Whimper) I’m so grateful we have health insurance, but dang, it’s a pain in the…esophagus.

So what are you going to do now?

Well, administer medications. I’m starting to feel like a one-woman pharmacy. And I need to call them back because I forgot to ask if they want him back on wheat unti the next endoscopy, to see if the Prevacid is working despite the wheat. I guess we’ll just keep on keeping on.

What did you think of the clinic?

Wow, oh wow. Children’s is such an amazing hospital. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hospital so resemble a five star hotel. It’s a new facility, you know; they moved from the old building in March. And the personnel there is top-notch. I spent a lot of time as a kid at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago; I swear only the best of the very best are allowed to work and teach at a children’s hospital. We were very happy with our experience there yesterday.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Oh, like A getting hit by a car as we walked through the parking garage? Yeah, as the words “stay next to me, please don’t run ahead” were leaving my lips, a car right in front of us backed up and A ran into the back of it. The car kept backing up, pushing A backwards until Tom grabbed him and pulled him out of the way. He’s okay, but the guy in the car was a wreck. I think the whole thing took a year off his life, and I’m pretty confident that he’ll never talk on the phone while backing his car out of a parking spot ever again. And I hope A learned to not run ahead for God’s sake…he was only a step or two ahead of us!

Good Lord! Never a dull moment with you, huh?

No, Internets, never a dull moment indeed. But I had a hearty laugh at Tom’s expense a few minutes later as we were driving (very carefully and slowly, may I add) through the parking garage. I think his mind may have still been a bit rattled as he wondered aloud, “Why are there so many kids here?”

You’re kidding!

Internets, I about wet my pants laughing. Hmmm…why might there be so many kids? Could it be because this parking garage is attached to a children’s hospital??? Oh, we had a good laugh.

Well, Jen, it was good catching up with you. Be sure to keep us up to date with the whole EE thing. Thanks for coming. After the break, making a pumpkin pie with…Ritz Crackers and grape jelly! Be right back…

:Applause: