a week of hives

after such an exciting start to school and a fun full weekend with friends and celebrating grandmas birthday...we came home to get 3 kids to bed! as we were getting them in the tub, we noticed some substantial hives on adin. this is usually more likely to happen with toby...but we did the routine of benadryl and a cool oatmeal bath...but we sat there and watched them appear. his mouth was swelled and we were feeling concerned, so off to the ER we went. the doctor there felt that it was a virus and the hives went along with it...he was given a steriod, told to stay off school, and see the family doctor the next day. we did all that...but the family doctor thought it might be a food allergy...so, the steriod was extended for a week and we were also given an epi pen and had to get 4 tubes of blood drawn. (no easy task with a sick 6 year old!) but, we got it done and headed home. after 2 more days home from school...it seemed to be getting worse...the poor child was covered in huge welts that were itchy and very painful. they would move and change and the steriod and benadryl didn't seem to do much at all. so, we headed back to the family doctor...body covered in hives with swelled face, hands, and feet. his steriod was tripled and we were in to see an allergist the next day. his diagnosis...most likely a virus that his body reacted to with an allergic reaction. it was a horrible week, but at least we knew that odds of aniphilaxsis were low and that when it got over it would be over...no watching food forever. he went to bed on thursday...one of the worst nights he had...and woke up on friday a new boy. as fast as it came on, it went away. the doctor expected it to drag out much longer...so, we are counting that as an answer to the prayers of many. we were so blessed to have family and friends praying for us the whole week as well as bringing us food and checking in on us. we are thankful that it seems to be over and we are hoping that it never happens again! i have pictures from each day...but he is in such pain and looks so miserable, that i really hate to post them. i did put this one up...of adin and toby playing. toby stayed by his side the whole time. he tried to keep him busy with games to take his mind off of it all. they really are best friends!