A thank you.

This is a thank you, for so many. Thank you for your words of encouragement, words of wisdom, words of love and care, words of consideration, words of prayer, and much more. Thank you for all of those who have stopped by or visited. Thank you for those who check on us on a regular basis. Thank you for those who continue to call and text and make play dates and time with us. Thank you for caring. Thank you for praying. Thank you for loving us. I never knew how blessed I could feel while in the trenches, but God has made a way. I trust God's plan and the way he has proved his faithfulness over and over. I hope the plan we have the Lucas is the solution, and I pray that God always blesses us with friends and family that support, love, and care for us as so many of you do right now. I am so thankful for friends old and new, friends near and far, and our family. We are blessed and so grateful. If you'd like to know how to help us and Lucas, please keep doing what you're doing. Visiting, calling, texting, commenting, caring, loving, praying, and being concerned. We love each of you, thank you.

Summer Recap: Updates on Lucas

Many know of our battle to get Lucas relief for his skin. All 3 docs we have seen agreed on eczema. Our derm gave us some meds, creams, and oil to try. We stuck to that regimen a few days before our beach trip and the whole week at the beach. Through one weekend with these meds, we saw GREAT improvement in his skin and little to no scratching. After playing in the salt water his scabs and scratches seems to literally just disappear. We continued the meds though as to keep it away and keep it from returning. For about a sold week he had relief and we saw his beautiful skin turn to its soft original state. This included using a specific lotion, soap, and sunscreen.

However, sadly about 1.5 weeks ago we saw the same signs creeping in again. Scratching is what seems to clue us in, because his skin looks clear until he begins scratching and irritating it. So I feel like we are back at square one, again. So many scabs, scratching until he bleeds, and more. We returned to the derm earlier this week as a follow up. They still believe its eczema, but aren't ruling out psoriasis because of how much his scalp is affected.  It seems to be worse when he's hot, but that's hard to determine because it's SO hot around here.

It is quite heartbreaking and upsetting and frustrating to see our baby suffer and to do this all over again. I am not sure how parents of children who are chronically sick handle it all because just this experience has been so exhausting.

Currently he has 2 prescriptions he's taking (once a day-one in am, one in pm) and 2 types of creams to use if/when needed. We have our other stuff (contains steroids) to use if needed. I am not sure what flairs it up. I would say it's for sure in our house, except it restarted at the beach; however, it could be something from our house that was at the beach with us. Honestly, I'm not quite sure. I've tried many things, and I'm at a loss. We go back to the derm at the end of month, if not needed to see them again.

If you will continue with your prayers, kind words of support, and suggestions, we'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you for the love and support you've shown as we battle this and try to find a definite answer.

#homegrouptakesnmb2015

Our church homegroup took a beach trip this year. We stayed at the Fish Frye in North Myrtle Beach, and we had a TON of fun!! Take a look at our adventures. We'd never been to the beach with friends, so this was a first, but definitely not the last time we'll do it, so much fun!!

Steak and Shake fun

Crab legs

Back Porch Swinging

Dolphin Cruise

On the beach everyday

Outlet shopping and helicopter ride fun

Broadway at the Beach-Lucas went to RideMakerz and made himself a car

The kiddos and saying goodbye to the beach

Broadway Dinosaur fun

silly smiles

My family

Prognosis & Updates

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 

Colossians 4:2

Here's our update on Lucas

 We visited the allergist today (7/15) and dermatologist yesterday (7/14). Both think it's eczema. We have a cream, an oil, and prescription for him from the dermatologist that allergist agreed with. We also have switched his soap, lotion, and sunscreen to Vanicream while this clears and his skin goes back to normal. I also will start drying our clothes without a dryer sheet, because at this point anything could be irritating his skin and egging it on more. 

It's possible he has an allergy to red dye in food, but unlikely, we did stop gummy vitamins to test that, too. However, after coming home and reading the ingredients, I don't see it on the label.

We go back to the dermatologist at the end of the month for a check up. If it's not cleared or clearing, we may speak to the allergist again, but they can't test him right now with his skin like this. If the medicine we have now doesn't help by Monday, the dermatologist will call in an oral steroid to help. As of of now Lucas is in good spirits and doing well. He's just as rambunctious as normal, which is good. He may not look like he feels good based on his skin, but his pleasant demeanor would tell you differently. He's swollen at times (especially when waking up), but once the meds are in him the allergist says that should go away, too. Thank you for prayers, please keep them coming.

I see an improvement in scratching already with just one dose of stuff in and on his skin. We are praying for this to continue and happen quickly. 

It has certainly been an exhausting and draining experience, but I am praising God for his many blessings. I am also praising him because it doesn't seem to be an allergic reaction, thankfully, and I hope that remains true. The dermatologist does not seem to think this condition will continue once we get this under control and cleared up. She believes it was started from a virus and just got worse, so fingers crossed and lots of prayers that is the case and this isn't a lifelong thing. 

Thank you for all of the prayers, suggestions, and well wishes. We really appreciate the support, and we'll keep you updated.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

6 

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Cow Appreciation Day 2015

We spent our lunch with a bunch of cows:) but at least they were all cute cows. Here's a look at our Cow Appreciation Day lunch with Audrey Blake, Silas, Tucker, and Parker. It was also a goodbye for the Howe family, who we miss so much already!!

Lucas and AB

The 3 Musketeers plus Parker and the mommies (this was post costume for most of the group) Ha

Me an my little cow

Here's a comparison and throwback to Cow Appreciation Day last year with Silas

Lucas wanted to wave at the cow last year, but did NOT want the cow coming as close as last year :) But all he talked about was the cow :) 

Summer Frustrations

This summer has brought tons of fun, but unfortunately it has also brought lots of frustration. We have kept most news offline, but I'm feeling desperate. I'm asking for prayers for Lucas. Since late May/early June we have been trying to get him relief in some type of rash or allergy he's gotten. We've gone to the doctor this summer more than wellness visits in his first year. We've been given creams, a shampoo, and some otc medicines to try. We have seen some improvements; however, it's mostly just gotten worse. We are at the point of needing a dermatologist or allergist recommendation. And although our closest friends and family know and have been praying, we need more prayers for our baby boy. He's usually ok and has a good attitude for it all, but he's been uncomfortable with scratching. In addition to the prescriptions other things we've tried are witch hazel, oatmeal baths, washing sheets etc in hot water more than normal, soaks for bath toys in vinegar and bleach, throwing out some squeeze bath toys, no scented lotions our bath wash (our detergent is already free and clear), and we have him sleeping in long sleeve and pants to keep from scratching. We've bought lotion for eczema and have tried aquaphor, a&d, and more. We think the heat is not helping, but we can't do much about that. Right now I'm at the point of rage and worry and sadness for my baby boy. We need your prayers for clarity, answers, discernment, and healing. Our baby boy has been pleasant, but I can tell he's uncomfortable. He needs your prayers for relief and improvement. Please pray with us, we know God has the answers, but we need the doctors to find the answers and provide the healing needed for Lucas. Please join us in praying for the doctors and Lucas.

The Howe Family Going Away Party

time I'm sad to say, their final destination is not Columbia, SC. Their trip this time will end across the country in Washington state. While we are THRILLED for how God has lead them to make all of these decisions, but selfishly, we are sad to see them go. We know this is what is best, but we are sad to say good bye (temporarily). We got together and created them a scrapbook and planned a surprise dinner for them at Red Robin tonight. Here's a look at the night, a little of what I snapped. And shout out to Tiffany and our awesome waitress-both were so helpful and for a party of like 15 adults and 5 kids, our waitress didn't write down ONE single thing, and she got EVERYTHING correct on the order!!

Dinner at Red Robin

 

He loves a cheeseburger                Toddlers LOVE pics

Playing before being seated

 Group Pic after dinner