Set Back

Good evening!  It's been a tough week!   Some weeks are more taxing and emotional than others.  Thank God it's Friday!

Joe had a dermatology appointment Monday, and it didn't go as well as I had hoped.  We just got back into town from my dad's house, and Joe didn't have a bath for 3 days.  That a BIG mistake on my part.  My dad has an old claw tub with scratches and Joe refused to get in the tub.  Yes, I'm the mom and should of made him take a bath.  But I didn't want to fight that battle, lesson learned.

We went to light therapy on Wednesday and Joe jumped inside the chamber like a champ.  He is up to 2 minutes and 40 seconds.  I didn't have to count him down, I just stood there with a goofy smile on my face.  The nurse high-fived me!  I got him dressed and a way we went.  Easy peasy!

Well Thursday came and I was getting him dressed.  He had huge blister welts on his chest, back, and all over his arms.  Not to mention his forehead was crusted over with irritated and dry skin.  I took him to light therapy, the nurse didn't feel comfortable letting him take his treatment.  I called his dermatologist and took him to the Children's close to home.  The only thing that I did differently from Wednesday to Thursday is I gave him 2 claritin (doctors orders) and have him a bleach bath.  Joe has had several bleach baths in the past.  But I didn't put the usual amount of water in the tub, because Joe was crying.  I was racking my brain trying to understand what happened.  Because a the week before his skin was cleared up.  Have I mentioned I HATE eczema?!  The doctor took some cultures and prescribed him an antibiotic.  I am still waiting for the results of the cultures.  The doctor told me he was pretty sure the extra claritin didn't cause the flare up, and neither did the bleach.  I'm still not so sure with his answer.

His chest on Thursday, I didn't post a picture of his forehead  because it looked too bad to share.

Last night I had Joe take a long bath complete with a hair wash.  I swear if you could of heard the screaming from my bathroom you would of called in reinforcements.  That boy hates having his hair washed.  I greased him up with his skin medicines, Cerave, and coconut oil.  I also did wet wraps on his arms and around his forehead.  Joe and I camped downstairs on the couch.  He fell asleep quickly and slept all night.

When his skin flares up, he becomes so aware of himself.  He thinks he did something wrong to cause the itching.  He always says, "he should never of itched as a baby".  Talk about heart breaking! But I reassure him it won't always be like this.  We do believe in healing and yes we pray for Joe's healing everyday!

He woke up today and his skin is improving.

Wet wrap, he's still so stinkin' cute!

Sleeping and feeling relaxed

Have a great weekend with your tribe!

xoxo,

Jen