Friday, December 28, 2012

Cohen's Allergies

 For a while now, I have really been worried about Cohen.  There isn't ONE night where I can remember he doesn't wake up coughing or trying to breathe.  It was a late night a several weeks ago that I got so impatient with this that I was actually mad about it.  That poor boy, I thought, this can't be the answer to give him 3 meds a day for the rest of his life.  So I woke up the next morning and called an Ears, Nose and Throat specialist that I knew of in American Fork.  Dr. Heidi Hearas.   To my surprise she had an opening the very next week, so I went.  As I sat in the waiting room watching all the patients around me so sick and Cohen and Maxon (Maxon came for support) playing and running around I doubted why I had come.  They really can't know what's wrong, I thought as I paid the high copay, wondering if I had made a mistake.



In the room, I actually told Heidi I wasn't sure why I had come, just followed a prompting.  She put a scope down Cohen's nose and said she could tell he had severe allergies.  I kinda guessed that, but really didn't know what it meant.  So we scheduled Cohen again to go have some allergy testing done.  He had to be off his meds for a week before they could test.  This was hard!!  He got sick and was so extremely sick.  He wasn't eating and wasn't breathing well, but I knew he couldn't take his meds.  I just prayed that he could have a break.  His eyes got sunk and I asked if he needed a blessing.  Jeremy said if he had faith he would heal.  By that next morning he was a million times better.  I pointed that out to Cohen and he lit up.  I could tell he was figuring out the connection.

Much to my avail, I called the Dr and they didn't think it was wise to test Cohen while his immune system was down and I was so disappointed because he had suffered all week just to be off and I didn't want to do that again.  The Dr made a few calls and told me that it would be OK.  So we went.

Cohen was pricked 64 time.  16 pricks at one time up and down his arms and legs.  He was so brave.  His eyes sprang with tears, but he never cried.  The night before I walked in on him while he was saying his prayers and he was praying that the Dr wouldn't hurt him.  I am sure that is why he didn't cry.  Each prick had a number by it so the Dr could tell what allergen he was allergic to. He had numbers all over and he showed everyone.

It turns out that Cohen is full of allergies.  His tiny body can't handle any dairy, corn, and most wheat.  He is very allergic to horses, cats and other animals.  Trees and grasses and many weeds.  As the list went on I again found myself very frustrated. What was a supposed to feed him?  Our eating was going to have to change in a way that I am unsure of.  I kept telling myself ..one...step...at...a ...time.  I prayed for this answer and I was going to have to be thankful for it.  I am.  It answered so many questions as to why Cohen LOVES soccer but hates to play it.  He hated being outside.  His constant need for snacks but never really eating them.  Every meal his stomach would hurt and I just assumed it was his way of not wanting to eat because he didn't like it.  I scolded and pushed Cohen to do things that his body was telling him no.  That will always hurt me but now I know.  I am forever grateful for those tender mercies that help me as a mom.  The prompting to go to the Dr, the blessing to make Cohen feel better, and the calm reassurance that I can figure out what I need to do to make Cohen better.  On our way home we hit up Costco.  Cohen was telling me all the people that told him how cute Mason was.  He was proud to be there right by him and I love Cohen for that.  He is one cute sweet little boy and like I tell him, we will figure this out.

1 comment:

Brandalyn said...

You are the best mom in the world and you should NEVER beat yourself up over anything! Poor little Cohen, wish I could be your neighbor and see you everyday to help you figure this whole thing out. I miss you......and I had no idea you had a dinner party, wish I could've come:( Apparently we need to talk a little more often...Love you!