Poison Ivy

This is what Paris has been up to: itching.

2 weeks ago, we went on a ward fishing trip. Paris climbed a tree to detangle a fishing line and ended up getting poison ivy. And it attacked with a vengeance. It's been over his stomach, legs, and arms and itched so much that he literally did not sleep for 3 nights. He told me at one point that he thought he "forgot how to sleep." Thank goodness there has been absolutely nothing going on in school, since he had to miss most of those days.

We tried baking soda, hydrocortisone, gold bond, essential oils, oatmeal, benedryl, and even vinegar. Nothing seemed to work for very long. Finally I insisted the dr. see him (they normally don't see poison ivy unless it's a small child or it's on their face) and he got a prescription for a steroid. That seemed to work--for a while. At least, it worked so he had an itch-free day for his birthday on Friday, but by Saturday it was back. We'll go back to the dr. tomorrow--but in the meantime we distract him during the day, rub on hydrocortisone and feed him benedryl, and give him an oatmeal bath before night. We also let him run around without any clothes--because we're liberal like that.

I am just grateful that it is poison ivy, that it will eventually go away (right?), and that he is really a brave, patient child (who knew). In the throes of it all, he patiently bore the pain and itching, and said things like, "Thanks Mom for all you're doing for me" and "I think I know why God gave this to me, so that I can understand the plan of Happiness. That he gave me a family that takes care of me." Which is what I needed to hear after some sleepless nights myself. I could tell he was feeling better when he wondered why I wasn't making him lunch yet....

And I am also grateful for our ward family that brought us essential oils and gave him blessings and called to see how he was doing. Brian was out of town for most of this and it was nice to know our home teacher and friends could step in for him.

This was seriously one of the worst maladies we've had--more disruptive and perplexing than all of the broken bones, surgeries, and illnesses we've had to date. So here is some advice...Leaves of three--LEAVE THEM BE...