Update on Oliver

So...there is bad news and there is good news :)

Bad News: Yesterday, I discovered 2 blisters on Elliott's cute little body and by the end of the day he had 6.

Good News: Since no one else in our family had shown any evidence of the rash, up until this point it made a good case for something more serious like an autoimmune disease like PLEVA. However, with Elliott getting it, it means that it is more likely an infection of some kind and should be treatable. Although I was absolutely devastated when I saw Elliott's blisters appear at first, after I realized what this meant I have never been so happy to see my child get a rash!!

After the discovery, I called my amazing dermatologist (at home on a Sunday...yes, she is awesome) and she said that I should go to the ER and get a culture of Oliver and Elliott's blisters and get them both on some antibiotics as soon as possible. She is now thinking Staph. So that is what we did. Of course, the ER doctor had no idea what to do with us so I just told him to do a culture and start some antibiotics and he did :) Oliver was a total rock star at the ER and other than a few tantrums during the exams (understandably so), was very charming and pleasant- another merciful gift from God during this whole ordeal.

So, we won't know for sure what exactly is going on until the cultures and the biopsies come back later this week, but in the mean time, I cannot explain the weight that has been lifted off my shoulders. I don't care if we have to be quarantined at home for weeks- I am just glad that it looks as though this is not going to be a life long battle for Oliver.

As far as his skin goes, things are slowly drying up but I think it will still be at least a week or so before we really see some big changes. His armpits are still very tender and raw due to the huge number of blisters that have errupted but even they are showing signs of drying up. Last night he only woke up twice so I know something is getting better. Oliver has been very "helpful" with his skin care and is very good at putting on some of his lotions "self" (by himself). Grandma Gloria even taught him how to file his nails down so that he is less likely to spread stuff around when he scratches.

Speaking of Grandma Gloria- all I can say is that I don't know what I would have done without her. She literally dropped everything to come and just be with us and help however she can. She has done laundry, cooking, cleaning, held babies, been a huge help in the middle of the night when both babies were up and read LOTS of books to the boys so that I can be free to comfort Oliver and continue giving some attention to poor Elliott, who has gotten the short end of the Mommy stick this week. Even Grandpa Gary came to our rescue for 2 days and helped to make this hard week a little better.

There are so many thoughts/feelings that I have about this whole situation but they will have to wait for another day. I will say that I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of love, support and prayer that we received from our family and friends. I can honestly say that for the first time in my life, I truly experienced the power of prayer. I knew people were praying for Oliver because I could feel it and see the changes in him and in myself...even in the middle of the hard nights and even when things seemed to go from bad to worse. That is when you really know that God has his hand in the situation and it brings me so much comfort- so thank you, and please keep praying!

Alright...more updates to come :)