Finally, after seeing doctor after doctor, our pediatrician finally told us he was clueless on the condition, and did not know what to do, so he started sending us to different specialists. The doctors he was sending her to were in Edmonton, a city about 2-½ hour drive away from us. I would take the time off work, and we would go. We had appointments every 2 weeks or so, and still nothing.
We took her to an allergist, and finally after fighting with them several times, they agreed to do an allergy test on her, even though they don?t recommend doing so until she is 3 years old because it might not show up until then, as their immune system is still developing. It didn?t matter, we wanted it done, so they finally did it. It seems she was allergic to Dogs, Cats, and Dairy products. We used to have a dog, but luckily now do not have it anymore. It seemed the animal issue did not matter though. The reaction was so bad that the doctor recommended us getting rid of all our furniture, as the dander had worked its way into it and no amount of steam cleaning would remove it.
So, we sold all our furniture, couches, mattresses, got rid of our son?s stuffed animals, everything that would hold the dander. We even made a point of moving to a Duplex that was just built so we could be sure the carpet had never seen pets before, even though our rent jumped $200.00 because of it. If friends come over that have pets, they have to bring a clean change of clothes, go straight downstairs, and change, just so the dander will not come into contact with her. It?s amazing watching her react to someone that has pets just being around her. It?s hard to imagine such a bad reaction, but it happens all the time.
So, the allergy testing is done, and we remove all of the possible irritants from her living area. But, little improvement is seen, so back to see the specialists, at which point she is also diagnosed with severe Eczema and Ichyosis. We all know what Eczema can do, but Ichyosis is a disease that also affects the skin, and most commonly starts on the scalp and facial area. The skin is so dry that you can actually peel it off in chunks the size of a nickel.
The specialist decides to try a new medication to Canada called Elidel. While it has been available in the United States, it is still new in Canada, so no insurance company will cover it, including Blue Cross, so we foot the bill for it, being $75.29 per tube, to be used in conjunction with another medication called Protopic, costing $92.92 per tube. To put it in perspective for you, you could fit about 4 tubes of Elidel into a standard tube of toothpaste,the same being said about the Protopic. Each tube lasts her 6 days, meaning 10 tubes a month. 5 tubes of Elidel is $376.45, and 5 tubes of Protopic is $464.60, bringing the total to $841.05 a month, just for that medication. The specialist is trying to get us on a study group, but has been unsuccessful up to this point.
On top of that medication, she is also on various creams with different levels of steroids in them to help with the itching, plus she is also on antibiotics to help battle the skin infections. All this for a beautiful 16 month old with a smile that would melt anybody?s heart. It is truly amazing what she has gone through so far in life, yet she is still strong enough to give that smile of hers.
We have since been referred to an acupuncturist in Edmonton. Dr. Steven Kyaw Htut Aung has been labeled the best in the world by all of his peers, and has been the first ever to do many things. I will not go in to details about him here. If you would like to read about a very special man, check these out:
http://www.lieutenantgovernor.ab.ca/aoe/bio/aung.htm
http://www.aung.com/
Not only is he the absolute best in the world at what he does, he is also a very compassionate man that has given us a shoulder to cry on more than once. We are in the process of treating her with a laser light on approximately 30 previously determined points. This is such a rarity that even Dr. Aung has not done it before for this condition on a child so young. She sees him approximately every two to three weeks, with back-to-back treatments, which means hotel stays, restaurants, etc. Not too cheap on a limited budget.
That brings us to the present. These are the cards our daughter have been dealt, and we have to deal with it as best we can. I am working two jobs, and still cannot make ends meet. My wife cannot work. If she did, we would not be able to find a sitter that would have to meet the strict standards for her conditions, nor would they be able to give the constant attention she needs. We need to find a way to make sure our daughter can get the treatments and medications she deserves. So I am selling all my collector cards for $1.49.
I don?t know what else I can do to help her out. Like I said, I am working two jobs, plus a family, that does not leave me much spare time, or spare money. We are currently so far behind on our utilities from the medication costs that we are about to lose our power, water, and Natural gas.
WHAT YOU WILL GET FOR YOUR BID
As you already know, what you will receive for your purchase will be a hand created personalized thank-you card from our family to you, signed by myself, my wife, and our three year old son. Also enclosed, will be a hockey card or football from my collection with a book value anywhere between $0.05 and $300.00 U.S., all depending on what I grab first.
I am hoping there are some out there that would be willing to purchase a card for $1.49, plus a single shipping fee of $0.99 (No matter how many you purchase) to cover the materials, ink, and postage for the personalized thank-you card.
On behalf of my wife, son, and especially my daughter, I would like to say thank-you for taking the time to read this, and thank-you for your bid, it is appreciated in ways you will never know.
May 16, 2005 Updated Picture of Chelsea - What a Babe!
