Four years ago we walked into the Doctor’s office covered in vomit. At that point though, vomit had been part of our normal day, multiple times a day. I remember sitting in our GI’s office and hearing a checklist of symptoms like: stomach pain, trouble swallowing,vomiting, and the list went on…and my son’s symptoms checked every box. A few days later our 23 month old son had his first scope, followed by a confirmed diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis.
We soon had a team of specialty doctors and medical professionals and over the past four years we have seen GI, allergy, dermatology, pulmonology, a geneticist, a dietician, a nutritionist, a psychologist, occupational therapist, and a speech therapist for feeding therapies. It has been a long journey full of never ending appointments, research, patience, prayers, faith, and the support of our family, friends, community, and other fellow EoE families we have met through Eosinophilic Family Coalition that has led us to where we are now.
In four years, our son has had 18 scopes, and follows a strict diet and is now off all medicines, except those he needs for his asthma, and now he is a thriving six year old only having to avoid wheat, dairy, chicken (and pistachios and cashews for ANA reactions.) Our GI doctor has been a monumental instrument in our son’s medical and personal success journey, so much so, that our little guy wants to be a GI doctor too so he can help other kids with EoE! Hudson has been in remission for 6 months now and he starts first grade soon!