Remembering the Long Nights

I just came across this cartoon from Marcie Mom. It brings me back to the horrible nights when Tristan’s eczema was extreme. Back before we knew that food was triggering his flair-ups and itch trances. Oh yes, this scene hits very close to home. We would lay in bed with Tristan, gently tickling his legs in an attempt to distract him from the itching. He’d have his sweet little hands tucked away in his ScratchSleeves with Scratch Mittens  as it was the only way we could guarantee there would be no blood in his bed the next morning. Some nights we stayed in bed with him the full night (my husband and I taking turns) and sometimes we’d be back and forth between our bed and his – trying to claim just the tiniest bit of sleep between Tristan’s crying out to us for help.
I am thankful we are now free from those sleepless nights.

FROM: Eczema

13 Comments

  1. Camille on November 4, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    That right side was me as a kid. So glad Tristan has found some relief! =)

    • Jennifer on November 7, 2011 at 11:09 am

      Oh no! Sorry you had to go through all that!

  2. MAID in Alaska on November 4, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    Hi Jennifer!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog to say hi. 🙂 Yes, absolutely, would love to be part of the blog hop (and thanks for asking). I just wanted to leave you a note and let you know I’m going through a bit of a family emergency right now. My blogroll is something I’ve been needing to build, but haven’t gotten around to. When I do I’ll make sure your blog is linked up!
    🙂 Megan

    • Jennifer on November 7, 2011 at 11:14 am

      I hope everything is ok! I just added you to the blog hop. Check your ID, however you logged in to leave a comment – it’s linking to your old wordpress blog, not the one on blogspot. Take care!

  3. rawkinmom on November 4, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    wow…..this hit with me too…so true….and so sad….:(

    • Jennifer on November 7, 2011 at 11:14 am

      Hopefully you’re past those nights too. They were hard.

  4. Susan H. on November 5, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    Oh my gosh!!!!Can I totally relate! My son is 15 years old now and is a world away from what he was like as an infant. We would rub his back to distract him, have a musical mobile on or sing to him. (the same song my father used to sing to me) I would change his sheets everyday for years, vacuuming up all the dry skin that would litter the floor (changed all the carpet in the bedrooms and eventually the entire house) It was a nightmare not knowing what was causing him so much itching…food, dust, environment? In the end, in grade 6, he underwent ‘light therapy’. He went 3 times a week starting in the fall(when the eczema would start getting bad) until the start of the summer. It was incredible how over that time, his skin improved, he slept through the nights, his grades improved and he was….happy! Reading your above blog brought tears to my eyes. I write a blog chroncling our journey with mulitple food allergies, atopic dermatitis and asthma. I just started it so I am in the learning process. Please check out my blog…I would love your input…I found you from reading your comment on Allergic Foodie.I look forward to reading more on your blog. Susan H. @ the food allergy chronicles

    • Jennifer on November 7, 2011 at 11:34 am

      Hi Susan – Great blog, just checked it out and added it to my bloghop page. We’re in Canada too. How did you guys get your story into the local paper? It was a great article. That’s wonderful that your son’s skin finally improved. I’ve hear do flight therapy and know that it can be very successful. Great to meet you!

  5. Marcie Mom on November 7, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    It’s good to know that my cartoon resonates with eczema moms! At least I’m on the right cartoon track 🙂 Thanks for sharing this!

  6. Vanessa Grant on November 16, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    OMGoodness, I thought I was alone! I have a two year old with extreme eczema, we have tried everything from Rx meds to bleach baths but nothing seems to work. The Pediatrician keeps telling me it will go away on it’s own but it doesn’t seem to get any better. He’s only had clear skin twice in his 2 years of life and both times were on vacation, so we’re thinking it might be the dog, but the Dr. wont confirm. We recently had to rush him to the Hospital do to a sever reaction to some pretzels he ate on the plane. They were mixed with almonds and cashews and even though he didn’t eat the nuts his face especially his lips swelled up SO BAD even the flight attendants panicked. I just know the two (eczema and food allergies) are connected. Everything is trial and error at this point, they advised me against giving him an allergy test even though he’s been admitted to the hospital several times for flare ups. I am lost and feel alone, and reading this post just put me at ease. Thank you!

    • Vanessa Grant on November 16, 2011 at 6:35 pm

      BTW you got my vote!

    • Jennifer on November 17, 2011 at 12:51 pm

      Hi Vanessa – Sadly, there are a lot of children going through this. Severe eczema is absolutely horrid – especially for the children, but it really does affect the whole family. I cannot imagine being stuck on a plane and having a reaction like that. How did you hold it together?? What have you guys tried removing in way of allergens? Laundry detergents, foods? Have you tried wet wraps? They are AMAZING and really help, but it’s a lot of work. Also, where do you live? I have a list of support groups, mostly for allergies, on the bottom of the ride side column of my page. And there are some really great hospitals that have eczema programs. The best that I’m aware of is in Denver, National Jewish – it changes peoples lives.
      -Jennifer

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