Food Allergies?

 Christmas Day, we were getting the kids ready for naps.  I went to change Colin's diaper and found his diaper was full of blood.  Sorry, this post might be too graphic.  But, as I stood there in shock, mucusy blood just kept pouring out.  My heart just broke for my little boy.  I have several friends who have kids with food allergies and I immediately remembered them telling me that blood in the stool was the first sign.  I cried as I realized something was not right and as I thought about what this would mean for Colin.  We got the kids to sleep and began researching and making phone calls.  He had no other symptoms of concern and didn't seem at all in discomfort so we didn't take him into the emergency room.  I took him into the pediatrician the next day and she confirmed that she believes he has a food allergy.  She checked his bottom to make sure it wasn't just a hemorrhoid and did an ultrasound to make sure everything in his belly was okay.  She sent me home with a couple of testers and told me to test his poop in a couple of days.  I got a call Wednesday saying that the tests came back positive-he still has blood in his stool even though we can't see it!  She said we needed to see a specialist and there wasn't much more they would be able to do at their office.  BUT the first available appointment at the specialist is March 14th!  That's first available in all of Virginia...I told her I would drive anywhere at any time.  Poor receptionist lady.  I pretty much just lost it on her.  So my 6 month old son is had blood in his stool from something I'm feeding him, but I can't know what that is for 3 more months!  I asked her what in the world I was suppose to feed him until then!  Well she didn't have an answer, but assured me I was at the top of their cancellation list.  I called my pediatrician back to ask the same question.  They told me to keep feeding him what I am, to continue introducing new foods, to keep a detailed log of everything he eats and if I can see blood, then to call them immediately.

My only guess to his allergy is a something in bread.  I gave him his first piece of bread a few days before Christmas.  He was pretty much refusing to be spoon fed, but I found that he loved chewing on a waffle or bun.  We make all our own bread, so I felt good about what I was feeding him.  Now it just makes me sad to think that he may never get to eat all the delicious food that's baked around here. 

Right after the pediatrician called I just felt frozen.  How could I keep feeding my son something that was possibly hurting him?  Was it hurting him?  How in the world could I figure out what was bothering him if I can't see the blood?  Should I change my diet?  How do I know what to eliminate from my diet and how do I know if it's working?  Should I stop nursing?  Should I feed him bread again to see if the bleeding comes back and possibly get into the specialist quicker?  Is he cranky because he's teething or because his tummy hurts?

I don't know any of the answers.  Right now, I can't bring myself to give him bread again.  I didn't eat bread for a couple of days, but didn't notice any difference in anything.  I got him to eat out of food pouches and am thankful to at least be getting food in him.  I bought a refillable pouch and have been making all of his food so I know exactly what he's getting.  I have a feeling this is going to be a long road.  You know that mom gut feeling?  I've had it many times when they would tell us something was wrong with Alison and I just knew everything was fine.  I have that opposite feeling this time.  My gut tells me something is wrong and it's so very frustrating to have to wait long months to find out any answers.  Please pray with us that a spot opens up with the specialist soon!

On the bright side, he's started sitting on his own and cut a second bottom tooth.