Prayers for Carson

My apologies for not doing a better job updating the blog with Carson's issues, but I'm just surviving right now and doing the best I can. This is a bit cryptic, I realize...

Quick summary: pediatrician diagnosed Carson with "leaky gut." While I nursed for the first 12 months, I eliminated any foods in my diet that would cause a bad reaction for Carson. Since then, I've been living in a corner and in fear of trying new things because anything I feed him upsets him (except hemp milk, meat, some veggies and a few fruits).

We ran a stool analysis to try and see if we could start getting some answers. We learned that his PH levels are off, he has off the chart levels of bad bacteria in his gut and he is not able to absorb the beneficial nutrients in food. The best way I can describe it is: when he eats food, his white blood cell army goes to battle, fighting the wrong enemy. Any substance (good or bad) is attacked and is immediately eliminated from his body. He is not absorbing any amino acids, vitamins, etc., and his system is unable to process and eliminate toxins properly. Additionally, his immune system is compromised, so he gets sick VERY easily.

Next step: 40 day antibiotic to try and kill the colonies of bad bacteria, add a very strong probiotic, put him on a spectrum supplement and modify the diet.
Next step: meet with nutritionist. Currently, we have him on farm fresh goat milk and all organic and fresh foods. This means hours in the kitchen daily...dramatic lifestyle adjustment, but beginning to see some results.

Before:

After:

Morning meds (just for Carson):

Clearly, this is cathartic for me to document our journey. Have I lost it completely? :)

Yesterday: I took Carson to see a GI specialist. I left totally overwhelmed, but it's amazing what a few hours of perspective, research and prayer can do. The specialist examined Carson's belly and said he is concerned because it is distended (very swollen). It has been from birth. He explained that we need to be able to actually see what is going on in the gut, and I agree. Right now, I feel like I am just dealing with one big experiment and doing a lot of guessing. He is concerned that he could have a severe condition (Eosiniophilic Enteritis) but I read about it online and it's very rare and I'm not going to go there until I have to or need to. He said it could also be a minor issue that can be treated medically. He said the all natural diet and supplements are a great start, but until we are able to run tests and see the gut, it's all a guessing game.

So, next Friday (March 5) Carson will have an Espohagogastroduodenoscopy (ha! it's an upper endoscopy). He will be under anesthesia and they will put a scope down his throat and take
samples of his throat, stomach and intestines. He also said that they
will draw all of the blood work while he is "sleeping" so I won't have
to go through that trauma later.

I am scared and the thought of putting him under anesthesia again within a 6 week
period of time is overwhelming. But, I do agree that we need to
find out what is going on. Even if it's bad news, it's
knowledge....and we need some answers.

Keep our little brave man in your prayers! Pray for sanity, wisdom, perspective, and brilliant physicians!