Hazel Gayle Update

I can't describe to you the feelings I feel when I think about my life a year ago.  One year ago I had a scrawny, miserable, rash-laden little 9-month-old Hazel.  I have exactly one picture of her around that time.  I didn't take many pictures of her because I just didn't want to remember her like that.  It's not the way any mother wants to see her daughter.  I kept her head and hands covered at all times because of scratching.  I hated taking her in public because of comments and stares and loads of "free advice".  It just wasn't a happy time in our lives.

Hazel around 9 months.  This picture is sad. 

BUT


Things are so much different now.  She runs.  She screams.  She giggles.  She fights.  She's funny.  She's smart.  She's adorable.  She's feisty.  She likes what she likes.  She lights up a room.  It has been work.  Hard work.  And prayer, lots of prayer.  Hazel has this spirit about her that draws others in.  I'm lucky to be a fly on the wall at times and watch her sweet interactions with children and adults alike.

With that being said, we had an appointment with Hazel's allergist.  She was retested for all of her allergies.  We had talked to the doctor just before the tests were administered about her chances of outgrowing some allergies.  He gave us hope.  He said that lots of times, the allergies trend toward becoming better each year until gradually.  They're just gone.  Well, our hopes were dashed when her back blistered with hives the moment the nurse did each poke.  Poor thing.  The allergies are worse.  And now cashews and pistachios and lamb are severe allergies where before they were just considered sensitivities.  We still have to wait for the blood tests to come back to confirm the results, but, yeah.  It's hard to deny the severity of her skin test.  Sorry for the graphic nature of this photo.  I know it's hard to see.  It's not as bad as it looks, really.  She didn't cry or flinch at all.  The only time she cried was when she dropped her little finger puppet monkey on the floor and couldn't reach it.  The numbers on her back are hard to read because she was so squirmy.  Any type of a hive means an allergy.  The allergy is more severe with a larger hive.  The only one she didn't react to was the chicken, but it's a trigger for her EE, so she won't be eating it any time soon.  Just in case you were wondering:

1.  Egg
2.  Milk
3.  Almond
4.  Cashew
5.  Hazelnut
6.  Pistachio
7.  Beef
8.  Chicken
9.  Lamb

Poke Test 4/8/11

Along with her poke tests (the one pictured above), she also did a blood test.  We went to the hospital and they drew not one, not two, but FOUR vials of blood to confirm the allergies.  Can I brag for a minute?  The girl did not flinch or cry at all when they poked her arm to draw the blood.  They had me hold her which I think reduced any anxiety she may have had.  There were three ladies gathered around her trying to distract her.  She calmly watched as the nurse poked her and blood traveled through the tube to the tiny container.  They showered her with praise and gifts.  She scored two stickers, two coloring books and two boxes of crayons.  That's my girl!


SO

We're not devastated this time around.  We're armed with information and confidence.  We know the road.  We've been on it for a year.  We just have to be super duper careful with our sensitive little one.  I've actually really enjoyed learning how to cook more health consciously.  I want her to maximize her nutrition with the foods she can eat.  I don't want her existing on tortilla chips and tater tots.  I've studied and researched vegan lifestyles and cooking.  She's going to be one healthy little girl if I have anything to do with it.  The greatest thing is that our whole family is benefiting.  Jarom and I have lost weight.  Cannon doesn't eat as poorly as I used to let him.  We have fruits and vegetables at every meal and consume plenty of dark leafy vegetables.  We eat only whole grains and have substantially reduced our meat and dairy consumption.  What a blessing Hazel is to our family.

I just have one last thing to add before I end this little update.  Hazel has been through a lot.  Her tiny body has caused her pain and discomfort almost nonstop since she was born.  She has had to endure it all.  The best thing about all of this is her sleep.  Through it all, she sleeps extremely well.  One main symptom of EE and eczema is extreme fussiness with chronic battles to fall asleep.  I think this is why we had a hard time getting the EE diagnosis.  She started sleeping through the night at 4.5 months and never stopped.  She also takes a 3 hour nap (minimum) each day.   I can only think of two times since then that I've been up in the middle of the night with her.  I don't mean to come off as boasting or bragging, (I completely understand you mothers who want to throw your shoe at me right now) but I've thought a lot about this little miracle.  I honestly don't know if I could deal with all of her other issues if she wasn't letting me sleep at night.  How thankful I am for her ability to sleep and sleep well!  She never ceases to amaze me.  Heaven knows Cannon could take a lesson from his little sister in the sleeping-through-the-night department.  But that's another story.

Happy Day!