The Allergy Saga Continues

#1 had his follow up with the allergist today and we got some interesting news. His blood tests came back totally negative to everything except grass pollen (which we thought he was allergic from the prior skin tests) ... but even the grass pollen was a mild reaction when looking at his blood. In addition his total allergen count was very low - a 10 on a 0-352 scale. So he is only mildly allergic which makes no sense when you look at how he reacted to grass pollen last spring. But she firmly stated he is not a candidate for shots given this information, so I didn't have to tell her thank you, but no thank you ... a conversation I've been dreading for days. SO ... the investigation continues. The allergist, who is a long time pediatric allergist and one that I really like - one who I think is very good, thought for a good deal of time and went back through all of her notes and my spreadsheets while #1 smashed cars into each other in the exam room. Her conclusion was that we were missing something ... "he shouldn't react that severely or have been so sick" if there wasn't something else going on. She thought he might have a "silent" sinus infection - one that apparently just hangs out and waits for something to upset the system, like pollen when you're allergic, then rears its ugly head and causes all hell to break loose. OK, made sense to me. However the only way to know is to look at the sinuses on film. So we were off for #1s first and hopefully last head CT scan.

The scan itself wasn't that big of a deal. It just weirds me out. He did great. The tech was great with him. It was all over in about 45 seconds. We took the images straight back to the allergist and she read them with me. It is very clear in the images that one of his sinus cavities is completely full of goop. The other is open, but has a little goop in it also. So we're treating with a long course of antibiotics and a nasal spray and saline and a neti pot. :) East meets West, yet again. This reminds me of my sophomore year of college when I couldn't get rid of tonsillitis and ended up being on antibiotics for weeks. Only the difference there was that I was never sleeping, drinking way too much, and being a typical college kid. #1 likes a party, but let's be serious. The kid is not boozing it up all night ... he's really in great health if we can just figure this thing out ...

I've been emailing with #1s Chinese Medicine doc and have filled him in on everything. He's skeptical of the antibiotics and I am a little myself (because for the LOVE - he's been on them ... many rounds of them and still has something going on). But then again, I grew up on pink medicine as a little person and am just fine now. But, his thought is that something this chronic is probably fungal (ew!) and not bacterial. Good thing #1 is also taking herbs and getting acupuncture to cut the funk.

Senioritis

#1's days as a "Senior" are rapidly coming to an end. Here they are ... the "it" boys of the senior class. OK, they are the only boys in the senior class, but trust me ... their attitude is all IT. The new school year is starting ... some graduates are starting PK and Kindergarten on this Thursday, which is leading to a lot of anxiety at home and at school. We had a final-final graduation party last Friday and the boys had a little photo shoot with their teacher (who is barely keeping the tears in). She sent these along. You can tell they are all going to kick ass and take names at their next school. :) These three little trouble makers are responsible for many a bruise, "poop" talk, all things super heroes, power rangers, knights and soldiers ... and about 100 million questions. That said, they are three very sweet boys. I'll do my best to make sure at least one of them is nice to girls.

Shut it

#2 is finding his personality quite hilarious these days. When he is asked to do something he doesn't want to do he will often smile and say, "Um, Nnnnnooo." And it is a "no" that is like ... "oh, you are so silly for asking me to do that. Gosh you are a funny parent." Then he graduated to interrupting the parent that was in the middle of asking such silly requests with, "Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah" while shaking his head "no" from side to side. So the dialogue went a little like this ...
#2 will you ple...
...Blah, Blah, Blah.

Last night was the topper of all. In the middle of the 6:30 - all hell breaking loose trying to get dinner on the table - dance I made the mistake of asking #2 if he would like to help me set the table. He looked at me with his devilish grin and I prepared myself for, "Um, Nnnnnooo" but instead got him making a bird beak with his hand and making it silently squawk at me. Mr. Right and I (doubled over laughing) agreed that he very clearly said, "talk to the hand!" And of course, our expert parenting skills of hysterical laughter assured him that his hand gesture was appropriate and should be used often.

Acupuncture

I've written about #1s struggle with seasonal allergies often ... so here's a little update. At our last appointment with the pediatric allergist she told us his reactions were so severe that we should consider starting allergy shots. That's when the needle skidded across the record at number 10. Yes, last spring was awful. Yes, #1 was miserable ... miserable by pollen and miserable by side effects of the drug cocktail. But allergy shots is a whole new level of commitment and one that I'm not willing to step right into.

So ... #1 and I set off today for our first experience with Chinese medicine. As we entered the office ... "Mommy, it smells funny in here. And why do we have to take our shoes off? And where are the toys? And did you see that table in there - I found a cool room for us. And what do you think that little man (Buddha) is doing?" Yowza there were at least 1,000 questions - for me and our newest member of the medical team.

The visit went well and I'm very optimistic. I had visions of me holding #1 down like I used to do for his shots - NOT a good memory for me - and I nearly fell over as I watched him "help" tap the needles into his own hands! We are changing some things in #1s diet, adding in some Chinese herbs and will continue with acupuncture in another 2 weeks. Stay tuned...