Nathan Update

Today we had a follow-up appointment with Nathan's gastroenterologist, it went pretty well.  After about 4 weeks of no improvement, we talked to the dietitian and doctor and switched him off Peptamen (milk broken down to the peptide base...very scientific...) and switched him onto some milk broken down even farther to the amino acid level.  We got some samples from the pediatric office where Chris was working.  The poor kid would only drink about 5-6 oz of the "tropical" flavor and wouldn't even touch the unflavored...and we don't blame him- they taste absolutely disgusting.
Nathan tested negative for blood today, so that's a great sign.  He's also still gaining weight so other than the diarrhea he's still doing well. The doctor gave us a new prescription and samples for another brand and flavor of milk, and it tastes much better, so hopefully we'll get a little closer to the 20 oz he's supposed to be getting a day.  We also got a referral to see an allergist, because it is looking more and more likely that there is something else that is causing the problem too, there 5 major things that kids are allergic to- milk, soy, eggs, peanut butter, and sea food...and since he doesn't really eat the other stuff we're kind of at a loss, so hopefully the allergist will help.

We really are so blessed to be here in Houston- Nathan's situation is different from the typical case, so we're grateful to have such great doctors who really know what they're doing (Texas Children's is ranked 4th in the country for their GI department!). As we learn about what other kids with allergies go through we're so grateful that Nathan's allergy isn't as bad as so many other kids- and I'm glad it's possible he may grow out of it. We are so blessed to have our wonderful little boy!