Second isn't so bad.

Less than one week until Tylyn’s allergy appointment and patch testing.

I am as excited as a kid at Christmas. She is not fairing as well due to being off the Zyrtec and her allergies in full gear this morning. Granted I also had a bit of a scare yesterday when I called the Allergist to ask whether she can continue her steroid inhalers and the nurse was dazed when I asked what food allergies they would test for next week.

“We only test for environmental allergies. “ She corrected.

“What do you mean? “ Was my reply even though I knew exactly what it meant.

“Chemicals, you know like what one would see in perfumes and stuff. “

“I see. “ And I did. But I didn’t agree with it. I hardly think Tylyn is suffering from chronic diarrhea due to her hairspray. I tried to think quickly, “Well, I guess we could start with that testing but Dr. S had mentioned getting some chicken from CHOP. “

A chart reference indicated no note. The nurse offered to do skin prick testing for foods.

I proceeded to explain about IgE mediated and non IgE mediate responses and the importance of food patch testing. The line was silent, followed by a quick, “I’ll have the doctor call you. “

Sure enough, despite Dr. S being on vacation, another on call doctor, Dr. A gets a hold of me less than two hours later.

He clarified they did do food testing, he actually bought all the kits and even though they don’t get a lot of requests for it, they have done it. He explains it is very technique dependent and the skin prick test is better. I immediately explain the IgE spiel all over again only to have him ask did Tylyn have a diagnosis. I conveyed about EE & EGE. He interrupts partially through and quickly agrees, “Yes, of course the SPT and even the RAST test aren’t the best tests for that. “

For the first time in months I listen to a doctor agree that we do need to do patch testing and although there maybe few hits, it may provide relief if we can identify a few triggers for Tylyn. He is sympathetic that Tylyn is entering in her senior year and understands why I want to explore this as much as possible, sooner rather than later.

Dr. A also mentions that some people with EE & EGE don’t have any food triggers at all. He then recommends possibly doing rounds of allergy shots that some people have benefited from.

Dr. A inquires how she has responded to steroids (negatively) asks if she is on anything now and clucks his tongue when I tell him what she is on and her latest symptom. He reassures me they test for several types of wheat and does not belittle me for referencing the internet about the “cornmeal” search and results. He sees me as a concerned parent and recognizes that I am using him as a tool and a resource to make my child better.

He also wants to know what Tylyn is on for the Eosinophilic Esophagitis. He is perplexed when I tell him nothing. He wants to know if she is having problems swallowing and if she is having pain. Yes to both. He then states that if her doctor’s aren’t going to treat her, then they need to explore changing her diet.  

Now mind you this is much different that her GI doctor. A phone call to him yielded a monotone voicemail that said, “This is Dr G. I don’t know why Tylyn’s stool looks like cornmeal or sand. I will have my secretary write a note that Tylyn needs to see a special clinic. I hope the Pentasa is working. Talk to you later.”

You’ve got to be kidding me. Yes, I believe my concern about the stool, the color, the consistency, the burning and the increased bowel movements along with abdominal pain shows that the Pentasa is working GREAT! I guess the exhaustion is good sign too.

Idiot.

That would be the PG version of my thoughts about him.

So as I sat and stewed about his apparent lack of motivation to help Tylyn, once again I’m changing it up.

First thing I did was got on the internet. Twenty minutes later I have an appointment booked with a new GI and a referral on its way.

Go me. Team Tylyn 5, bad doctors 1. Yes, I do give credit for Dr. G recognizing the furrows before the biopsy coming back.

So the new appointment is the 15^th, but the secretary has already talked to the NP about trying to get her in early, we are just waiting for the okay from the new doctor.

I am elated. Not only the secretary is nice (imagine that) they are also a group that has several GI’s but we will be seeing a Pediatric GI. I explain in a rush that I want to see if they can help Tylyn and we are also scheduled for a trip to Denver to a specialty clinic but her current GI is taking a hand off approach.

I hold my breath and wait and the woman asks when our trip is.

I respond November.

With a smile in her voice she says, “Well we have a lot of time before then to help her out don’t we. “

I have no response. None and as many of you know I am rarely speechless. She apologizes for not having anything before mid August but encourages me to call back daily, even twice a day and she will work on her end getting her in sooner. It is a much different approach than her regular GI doctor who has pushed back her follow up.

My sister assures me it is because it’s a pediatric doctor. No matter the reason I’m a bit relieved. We will be going to a doctor that is affiliated with The Women and Children’s Hospital.  Both Dr. Baker's (a husband and wife team) have outstanding creditials including a PhD from MIT.

It would be great if the second opinions yield a few breakthroughs, as a matter of fact yesterday was the first time I heard from two different doctors, “Perhaps we can prevent you from going to Denver.”

I’m not sure if it will, but at least there is a bit of optimism, hope and dedication to at least trying. That’s all I can ask for.