Day 32: Answers

Last night before bedtime, E and I were reading the story of Naaman (2 Kings 5) in her kid's Bible. Naaman, or as E calls him, "the guy with the owies," had leprosy. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. First he was sent to the king of Israel to be healed, but he King tore his robes and didn't know what to do. Elisha the prophet offered to help, and had Naaman bathe in the river. He told Naaman to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, and that Naaman's flesh would be restored. Naaman first refused, but when he actually did what Elisha said, he was healed.

This made Naaman want to turn everything over to the God of Israel and declare Him as the only God.

In reading this story, I couldn't help but draw a parallel to poor C. Yesterday her arms were so raw and dry that they were bleeding. She kept scratching and was just miserably uncomfortable. It was just breaking my heart. And then at bedtime, E and I read this story and I felt like this guy with the owies was a lot like my little girl seeking an answer for healing in her own skin. She doesn't have leprosy, but at times it almost feels that helpless. Seeing the eczema just move around her body, her skin attacking itself, her little face red and blotchy, has made us seek answers in many different places. I learn from Naaman that the answer isn't always easy or what you would expect. God provides healing when the time is right, and when He alone will receive the glory.

Today was our appointment with the allergist at Cedars-Sinai. He was kind and compassionate, listening to our journey with eczema and understood our issues with steroid creams. He seemed to go for a more holistic approach, not just analyzing the skin, but trying to understand what from within her little body, has been causing the eczema. Her constant runny nose really is an allergic reaction, but apparently her nose is wide enough to prevent her nasal passages from being stuffy! Thank you Sheu nose!

A skin prick test further confirmed that C is EXTREMELY allergic to dogs, and mildy allergic to cats and eggs. We didn't do peanuts since we already knew that one for sure, but she was negative for other common things like dairy and dust mites. The previous test did not bring up the egg and cat allergies, but I guess they were not as strong. We came away with an arsenal of new information and a daily regiment which includes (let's see if I can even remember this correctly):
-two antihistamines, including Singulair and Zyrtec, to be taken daily
-borage oil supplement
-Elidel for extreme eczema areas (non-steroid cream)
-probiotic supplements
-antibiotic ointment for any broken areas of the skin
-three suggestions for new emmollients - Albalene, Shikai Lotion, and Babytime Soothing Cream (I thought I'd tried every cream on the market, but never these three - the latter two are extremely well-reviewed on Amazon with testimonies of effectiveness on eczema)

We are advised to stay away from dogs and cats, and cut out anything egg and peanut from her diet. I think we've been doing those things already, but I didn't know she had an egg or cat allergy. Funny thing is that she doesn't even like eggs or peanut butter, which are the exact two things that my picky E will always eat. But the last allergist's test was a blood test, which didn't seem to be as accurate as the skin prick test.

Now I feel confident that we really know the triggers. She also seems to be allergic to her car seat lately, so I don't know what is going on with that, but I guess she just generally has a lot of sensitivities.

Lesson learned - it is always helpful to get a second opinion. I guess in a way, even Naaman did this. Praying that we'll receive healing just as he did, and that God alone receives the glory.