hopefully, finally, some answers

All this morning, as I lay sleepless, I sat there and pondered this whole allergy issue. I knew he wasn't uncomfortable (aside from the obvious discomfort of being congested) and I knew I hadn't eaten anything that should (in theory) bother him. It still made no sense how he was just developing allergy after allergy after allergy.

I called my mom on the way to the doctor and pumped myself up for requesting (demanding) whatever specialist I deemed necessary, whether that be a gastroenterologist or a an allergist. My mom and I both talked about how content and happy he seemed, as he sat there completely quiet in the backseat of the car (which used to be a rarity).

I got there and they weighed him. 19lbs 14oz. Almost hitting that 20lbs mark. Whoa! The doctor got in and listened to my whole story of allergy after allergy. He then checked the diaper sample with blood that I brought. I was afraid that he'd dismiss it (as the old clinic had) and he immediately said "yep, there is blood in there for sure". He then checked over Jason and noticed a small tear in his rectum. He said that this is what was almost certainly causing the blood, which would explain why he seemed totally fine. He said that the congestion is likely a small cold, but regardless unrelated to what I'm eating. He said, based on everything I'm saying, that the initial dairy allergy (and likely soy allergy as well) were accurate, but he'd question all the additional foods that I'm removing. He suggested that I do exactly what I'm doing right now for about a week to give him a chance to get over his cold and then asked that I start adding foods back into my diet, leaving dairy and soy for last (believe me, I have no intention of rushing into that). Meanwhile I'm supposed to use a thick coating of zinc oxide cream over his little butt to heal the crack. Obviously if he continues to bleed they want to see him again.

Obviously I feel bad that he has this little tear, but I am beyond relieved that this potentially has nothing to do with foods. There is hope for the future! It makes me wonder how long I've been dealing with all of these food "allergies" when it wasn't necessary, but I'm trying to focus on the positive. Keep your fingers crossed that this pediatrician is right. For me, it all seems to be making success.

Best news of all, I asked him about formula, being fully prepared that he might tell me that it made the most sense for Jason, but I was thrilled with his answer. Essentially he said that if I felt like I needed a break, that formula wouldn't hurt him and that I needed to do what was best for our whole family. I asked him if it would hurt him if I continued to breastfeed and his answer was something like "he is happy and healthy and you are certainly doing something right. If you are okay with continuing, then that would be my first choice for him". Yipee!!!!