Our first year with eczema.
Welcome to the start of my blog!
I'm new to this and I'm glad you're joining me.
Happy Birthday to the strongest, sweetest, snuggliest boy there ever was.
This past year, Jimmy persevered through more than any one-year-old should ever have to endure. Jimmy has chronic eczema, and while we don’t know the cause quite yet, we’ve come a long way since his diagnosis. His eczema first began when he was around six weeks old, and by the time he was five months old, it covered his entire body. His healing journey has not been an easy one, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“ While Jimmy’s situation is unique, the struggles of motherhood are not.”
When Jimmy’s eczema started, I began looking into causes and remedies. I eventually cut out most food from my diet (dairy, eggs, gluten, meat…alcohol...you know, all things you actually enjoy!) We tried every cream and lotion we could find. We switched soaps, laundry detergent...you name it, we probably tried it. Nothing helped. He itched 24/7. His hands were always covered with socks, mits, or gloves. The only way he slept was by being held so he wouldn’t scratch himself bloody. Nursing him was the only way he would settle. This meant 24/7 Jimmy was in someone's arms. My heart broke for him. I couldn’t even imagine the pain he was feeling. We worked with our pediatrician, a doctor in the UK, a doctor in Texas, and doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital. When Jimmy was nine months old we finally found a combination of steroids, antibiotics, and an OTC cream that helped suppress his rash. A few days after his rash started to subside, Jimmy laughed for the first time. It was music to our ears. He would giggle when you played peek-a-boo, when Ellie would do silly things, he would look into your eyes without the pain and frustrations of a never-ending-itch. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling. My broken heart didn’t feel as broken after that day.
Now, we are taking it one day at a time… in addition to working with eczema and allergy specialists, we will be meeting with a GI specialist in two weeks. Jimmy is still on a steroid protocol 3 times a day to help get his skin back to a no-rash baseline. After his allergy appointment we learned that he has several food and environmental allergies (dairy, egg, all nuts, wheat, cats and dogs, to name a few). Some tests showed potential anaphylaxis reactions meaning he will now need an epipen with him at all times. All of the allergy information was overwhelming and it felt as if we were taking two steps back after all our progress with his skin.
As moms, we put so much pressure on ourselves. Pressure to take care of our baby, ourselves, other children, our significant other, to look put together, to maintain friendships… the list goes on, and on, and on! Add in some postpartum depression and/or anxiety and I honestly don’t know how we function. While Jimmy’s situation is unique, the struggles of motherhood are not.
Today I am writing not just to wish my precious boy a happy birthday, I am writing to say that I am here for you. I see you, I hear you. Yes, it’s f*cking hard. Some days it may feel as if there is no light. But on those days, just know, I am here for you and happy to listen to what you are feeling. Even if it's just to hear you cry. Because what I learned most through all of these challenges with my little birthday boy, is that despite it all, we have had so much more light since he has entered our lives, and I'd like to give a little of it back to you now. Please, if you’re having one of those days, send me a message, I would love to talk with you!
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