Medical Updates from the Alley house

Hello all! So, Kael and I got some of our blood work back this week and I thought I would share it with you. If you are in the medical field, don't judge my explanations ; ). This is just how it makes sense in my head...haha. Here goes...

Kael had blood work done to test his levels for his Immunoglobulin A or IgA (one of the many that help us fight infections), Celiac disease, and major food allergies. HE ISN'T ALLERGIC TO MILK OR SOY...WOOHOO!! His test for Celiac disease was negative. However, they came back showing that he has ZERO IgA. The normal range is 12-73. This is fairly common. One in 600 people have it. A lot of people have it and don't know it. However, it absolutely explains all of Kael's respiratory, skin, and gastrointestinal issues. It is also great to know he has it in case he ever has to be given blood. Giving blood that is full of IgA to someone that has no IgA can cause serious and sometimes fatal reactions. Praise the Lord that we know!!!

The next step is to make sure that he doesn't have any other Immunoglobulin deficiencies. They are also going to take more stool samples to rule out and parasites that could be attacking his system. After that, we will talk about doing a scope. It is my understanding that doing a scope is a pretty likely outcome. We will see. I will keep you all updated. I am SO SO glad to be getting somewhere! And, I'm so excited that he can eat whatever he wants even if it doesn't last but a couple of weeks : )!

As for me, I am going to try to keep this short. My thyroid test came back normal. However, my progesterone level is a 6. It should be above a 10. This is why we're having trouble getting pregnant. My doctor is tracking my cycles and Chris thinks he will probably test me for PCOS and hyperinsulinemia. PCOS would explain why I have been busting my tail working out for the last 4 months and haven't lost any weight. I also have quite a few other symptoms that are associated with PCOS. This is all speculation, of course. The only concern I have is about the medications to help this are ones that I can't take. I have Factor V which is a disorder that causes my blood to clot more easily. The medications used to help with PCOS also increase the risk of blood clots. Of course, there may be other meds that we don't know about. We will see. I am sure I will be having another appointment with my doctor soon.

So, there you go. I am praising God today for answers and wonderful doctors that are really working to get to the roots of the problems. We will just take it one thing at a time. None of these problems are crazy serious so please don't think that this is me complaining or wanting pity. I just wanted to give you all an update. We are very blessed!!

Random List

I'm going to do a list today of updates or just neat things that have happened over the last couple of weeks. Here we go...

1. Chris and I made an executive decision to let Kael eat dairy. His stomach is still completely messed up so we don't see the point in doing a dairy free diet when it does not seem to help him. We'll see how it goes. It was nice grocery shopping last night and not having to check labels. Bryce said as I was giving him "cow's milk yogurt" as he calls it..."Leeeeeet's see if he gets sick. I think it's gonna make him sick. I think he's gonna cough." Haha!

2. Church at the Summit West Club campus yesterday was awesome! Clayton King brought an amazing message from the word and I got to serve with some awesome people at Starting Point. Shannon did a great job! Everything ran really smooth for our first reception style Starting Point session.

3. I go for blood work on Friday to get my progesterone levels checked to see if that is contributing to us not getting pregnant. I'm not anxious or worrried. I have two beautiful boys that I am blessed with. God has really given me a patience with this just in the last week. He is so good!

4. We go to the GI doctor for Kael THIS wednesday! I am pumped about getting some answers in that situation.

5. I started my community service this last week. I am working at a thrift store called Cause for Paws. It supports the local animal shelters. It is sort of dirty work but I would much rather be doing that than picking up trash! I have been greatly humbled by this situation.

6. Just in the last couple of months, I have gotten an extreme passion for our neighborhood. I know, it should have been extreme all along but I'm just being honest. I think it has a lot to do with the girl's Dgroup that I am in now and with the current series we are doing at The Summit in Ephesians. There are a few tools that are in the works that will aid us with building relationships with our neighbors and showing them the love of Christ. We already have great relationships with quite a few of them. I am really excited about these and will tell you more about them later!

7. Chris and I leave on the 19th to go to DC with NO kids! That's right...I said NO kids! I love my boys but Chris and I are PUMPED about getting to spend some alone time together. AND, it is being paid for by his work since he will attending a Pathology Conference. He is submitting a poster presentation in a the pathology competition.

8. Pepperidge Farm 7 Grain Deli Rounds are AWESOME!! You must try them! I got them at Walmart. Put a piece of turkey, some mayo, and a slice of meunster cheese and you got a low calorie, YUMMY lunch.

9. Kael has started biting. He has only done it to Bryce but I fear it is only a matter of time before he gets another child in the nursery. Ugh. I have no experience with this so wasn't really sure how to handle it at first. Then, I decided that spanking works for every other disobedient thing so I am going to go that route first. I didn't spank him the first couple of times. But, I feel like if he understands (which he does) that he is not supposed to bite then a spanking is in order. Let me know your thoughts. I may or may not take the advice ; ).

10. My car is finally fixed and I am SO grateful. You don't even know. It has been a long road of no license and then broken car. It is SO nice to have both of them back now!