End of the journey

Well, I think we have reached the end of the journey of medical tests for Kael. All of Kael's biopsies came back NORMAL and I am praising God for that!!! Chris was the doctor that got to look at them which I think is so cool. We are extremely happy that Kael has no other issues and that he will be able to eat whatever he wants! I haven't actually spoken with his GI doctor but I don't think there will be any more investigation. It is my understanding that since all of his biopsies are normal, then his stomach issues are due to his IgA deficiency. I am hoping that when I do speak with the doctor that he will be able to suggest some type of medicine, vitamins, etc. that might help Kael. He is almost 2 and potty training is right around the corner which could be difficult in his current state : ). Thank you all so much for the prayers for him!!

There is no update on me yet. I have an appointment with a new doctor next Wednesday. I was not satisfied with the other doctor that I went to the last time. I waited for an hour and a half and he was only in the room for about 3 or 4 minutes and was not listening to my questions and treated me like my concerns were silly. My concerns might be silly to him but he should still look into them since I am the patient. He just wanted to write me a prescription for a fertility drug and get me out the door. I'm not quite ready to have a higher risk of multiples. I am praying that the practice that I am going to on Wednesday is the right one. There are only a few to choose from that take my insurance and deliver at the hospital that I like. Chris and I are praying about our options. God is good and faithful.

Meanwhile, both of the boy's birthdays are coming up in a few weeks. I am planning an airplane party for them on the same day. I figure this might be the last year I can get away with them sharing a party. I can't believe they will be 4 and 2 in just a few weeks. Next year, this time, I will be registering Bryce for kindergarten. CRAZY! I feel so blessed to be their mom. God is so wonderful.

Kael's endoscopy

Kael has an endoscopy scheduled for Monday at 12:45. They are going to make sure that it is the IgA deficiency that is causing his diarrhea. I can't really get deep into details because I don't understand it all but since he has the IgA deficiency it somehow effects the blood test for celiac disease. Apparently, the blood test for celiac disease isn't really accurate to begin with so it is a double whammy for Kael. So, the main reason for his endoscopy is to rule out celiac disease. I think they will be checking for a few other things while they are in there. If the biopsy shows that he is not allergic to gluten, then that will probably mean that his loose stools are from his IgA deficiency and there is no solution for that.

I'm not nervous at all right now about the procedure. I am sure as they are rolling him back to the room the anxiety will come. The procedure is something they do a lot so I'm not worried about that part at all. It is the anesthesia that is the scary part and the waking up from the anesthesia that is not fun (lots of confusion and crying). We've already been through Bryce being put to sleep so we know the routine and know what to expect. I am so glad they are doing the procedure. I don't want him to have to go through it but I want to make sure IgA deficiency is the answer and that there isn't something else going on. God is faithful and good.

The most amazing thing about this whole thing is that Chris is going to be one of the doctors reading the biopsy on Tuesday. He is not on that service but talked to the doctor that is and asked if he would hold Kael's biopsy to the side until Chris could make it down there. I know my husband is just in residency but, to me, he is the best at what he does. I completely trust his eyes and am so glad that he will be the one reading it!!

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!!