Results

We have good news and bad news from the allergist. The bad news is we have new allergies to

• Oats
• Barley
• Potatoes (all, which means no french fries!!)
• Corn (corn flour too!)

We are now avoiding all of those foods, and we confirmed a severe allergy to beef and peas, which I suspected. The good news is his count for egg, cow's milk, and soy has dropped drastically. Almost to the point of safety.

Before we celebrate too much, we also found out that we will be referred to Children's Hospital for further testing. As of now, we will be doing a scope and biopsy looking for Celiac and Eosinophilic Esophagitis, among other things. The good news is both are treatable, and we know that through avoidance Wilson can be healed of his allergies, however his body creates new allergies. This leads me to believe that his body has something else going on, something that is attacking foods that enter his body and causes things to become allergies. This is a classic symptom of EE.

The other good news is that the first treatment of EE is food avoidance, which we are already doing and we are accustomed to. (See, the fast was a great idea!!)

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for everything that has happened this week, the prayers, thoughts, fasting, etc. has meant more than you could ever know. May God bless each and every one of you.

Less than 24 Hours left

We are in the last stretch, guys! Thanks for the support and sticking in there with all of the support! I made a fantastic dinner last night, Buffalo Chicken Chili. Here is the recipe: http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=697
The Partridges were kind enough to join us last night for dinner and such a historical election night. What excitement, no matter who you voted for. At this point, it's time to pray that our President Elect Obama will live up to his campaign promises and look to God as his ruler. And I am super impressed that so many people I know made educated decisions yesterday, and no matter how they chose to vote, they did the research and were satisfied with their choices.

Back to the fast, I just keep being reminded that it's not that hard to make good food that is Wilson approved. For the last year, we have just always made him something else, but we can make him food that is safe and tastes excellent. This is opening up our world greatly, and gives us a greater sense of family unity. We were heading to a play date yesterday, and I ran into the grocery to grab a few things for our lunch, and was amazed at all of the options I had! I know it is limiting in a lot of ways, but I'm realizing that this is a great opportunity for us to find new foods and recipes, as well as our friends and family to understand us better.

I also have a request of everyone who has participated in ANY way this week, please write Wilson a letter. I am making a scrapbook for him of this time, and I would like to have letters from everyone who is doing this, just so he knows how loved he is. Even if you don't know us, please send something to theroblings gmail.com.

Thanks, Wilsonsmom

Day Three, early

This thing is kinda crazy. Apparently there is now a church fasting and praying for Wilson. WOW! Even bigger, we've never met one of them. So to everyone reading this and participating with prayers, thoughts, and fasting, a big thank you. The Lord tells us that His plan is better than ours, and I know that, sometimes it's just hard to remember. I also know that he has an answer for every prayer I give to Him, and that He knows I can handle everything he is giving me right now. I just have to keep that in the back of my mind. Heck, even my "arch enemy" is participating (great blog too: http://www.youseedrybones.com/)

Here is what God is teaching me so far through this fast; I am not insignificant, nor is my family. Sometimes I just feel so small in this world, like I am going to be swallowed alive. I just go about my life, but I realize many many people have way bigger problems than mine. I have a hubby that loves me, a monster that thinks I'm the coolest mama ever (for now anyway,) a job, house, etc. Why could God spend time worrying about us, just because Wilson can't eat some food? Then I am reminded that even the smallest problem, God wants to fix it for me, He wants me to surrender it, He wants me to let HIM work it out and not take it on myself. So this is what I am doing. This fast and the large number of people participating reminds me that we aren't insignificant, that God will use my friends, family, etc. to change the world. He took time out to look at us and give us this opportunity to come together as one flesh and sacrifice for my son's health. I'm just not sure I can tell you what this means to me.

I am also learning that it isn't that difficult to make food Wilson friendly. For the last year or so, we have been making two dinners every night. While it isn't super inconvenient, it does take up more time. But there are great recipes that my son can have, and they taste great. This can help us in the future for parties, family functions, and even just dinners so he doesn't feel excluded. And we can feel closer to him; understanding exactly what he tastes, feels, etc will help us to know him better and to be better parents.

I have also discovered that I LOVE cheese. I genuinely do not like salads without it. I don't have to have a ton, but I really like cheese on most foods I eat. It's a weird thing, I know, but I miss my cheese. Thursday after his test, I will probably eat a pound (or a slice.)

An update on Wilson as well, he did wonderfully on Halloween. He was the best Superman in the history of the world, and we successfully traded his candy with no tension. We also had no breakouts, but are now off all allergy medication, and boy can we tell. He is snotty, cranky, and you can tell he just doesn't feel well. It started within 12 hours of when he was supposed to recieve the dose, and unfortunately the time change isn't helping. So please add to your prayers his safety and health this week while off all the meds. Moms worry, even if they've surrendered the illness to God.
Blessings, wilsonsmom

Lunch!

Here are some great lunch ideas. I have also found that telling the people I work with what I am doing ahead of time and also telling them I am packing all next week has helped create support and hopefully keep them from asking me if I'm ordering anything.

• Klosterman white bread is safe, as is Kroger Organic whole grain bread. Just check the labels, because it can always change.
• Add to that bread some lunch meat. Boar's Head has wonderful preservative-free lunch meat, as do other brands. I just like their Cajun turkey and Buffalo chicken.
• Fresh fruit, fruit cups, etc. are all healthy sides that do not really need refrigeration.
• If you have a freezer and microwave, Bird's Eye Steamfresh has single packs of corn, brussel sprouts, etc. They are nutritious and tasty. Meijer and Kroger both also have fresh varieties of steam-ready veggies. They are delicious with salt and pepper.
• Kashi TLC version of Nutri-Grain bars are safe, and they are good.
• We find it easiest to make lunch when we are making dinner the night before and go ahead and store it in the refrigerator. That way you aren't rushing in the morning, and you don't have to dirty too much more.
• Again, Tyson chicken nuggets are OK, which are yummy!!
• Ketchup, some BBQ sauces, some mustard is safe. This helps add tremendous flavor. I believe balsamic vinaigrette is OK too, which can be delicious on veggies or meat.
• Vegan salad dressings are often ok, just watch the soy (soybean oil is safe.)
• Chicken and stars soup is safe, as are several other canned soups.

We will be shopping tonight or tomorrow, and I will try to post any other ideas I can think of.

Approved food ideas

I just wanted to say again how thankful I am that people around the country are making this sacrifice. God just keeps knocking me on my face reminding me that this is so much bigger than Wilson, me, or hubby.
Beyond that, here are some great food ideas.

• Rice Milk (Rice Dream is what we buy, cheapest at Whole Foods or Walmart.) comes in vanilla or original, and it's not bad in oatmeal, ceral, etc.
• Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Multi grain Cheerios, Berry Burst Cheerios are all great cereals that are safe.
• Oreos, Pop Tarts, and graham crackers are great sweet treats.
• Popcorn, if you watch the labels, is a fantastic snack.
• Fresh and frozen fruit and veggies are great additions to chicken that has Montgomery Inn BBQ sauce.
• Tyson chicken nuggets are safe. (most, not all)
• Dum Dum suckers, pixie sticks, and smarties are all Halloween candy that's safe.

I realize not all of this is the healthiest, but it's easy. I will have lunch ideas tomorrow. Thanks again.

Blessings, wilsonsmom

The email I promised

This lovely email made me so emotional Saturday at work that I had to explain to my next client what was going on! Haha. Thanks, Jill! We are blessed to have you.

Hey All,I just felt like I should share what God initially put on my heart to pray for when He told me to fast for Wilson. I think it might be a good way for everyone involved to pray both in preparation for the Wilson fast and during the fast.
1. The obvious - that Wilson will be healed completely from all allergies & specifically food allergies

2. That Wilson NEVER feels a negative separation or isolation from others during the healing process (that sense of "I'm different" or "I'm bad" because I can't eat that...). I know he's young, but still...

3. That Wilson develops a sense of discipline and healthy regard toward food (one that I generally don't have and that most of our culture doesn't have). I feel like God is going to use Wilson in this area in the future even if he heals Wilson of his food allergies tomorrow. I feel like Wilson may be a nutritionist or dietitian or athlete or something that requires him to be extra thoughtful about what he eats (because he chooses to and not because illness forces him to).

4. I personally feel like God wants to show me that following such a strict diet won't kill me : ) He wants to show me that freedom and the good life exist through him and not through what I put in my mouth to gratify my flesh.

So, I encourage you to pray to receive that freedom through this fast as well. May we experience joy inexplicable as we give up some of our favorite foods.
I think those are the main points. Please let me know if God is guiding you to pray for anything specific as well... I am so excited for Wilson. He truly is one of my favorite little boys and I know Jesus delights in him, too!!!!
Grace & Peace! Jill

Again, feel free to add comments to my blog. I am going to print all of this stuff out and put into his baby book. I want him to know just how much our friends love him. Oh, and check hubby's blog. He will be updating this week too (honestly!) with recipes and helpful ideas.

The first of a few of these...

First, I feel the need to explain how the "Wilson Fast" has come about. A few weeks ago, my good friend called me and left me a wonderful voicemail asking about booger's allergies. She felt called to pray and fast for him, and since she is not able to completely fast (mamma's rules) she chose to fast his allergies. This touched me in many ways, and I felt called to join her. In fact, I felt called to fast his allergies from November 1-6. As I began to discuss the sacrifice my friend and I were planning, several other close friends chose to join us. Some for a day, others the entire time we are. Some are choosing one allergic food, others are fasting all of his allergies.

The booger is allergic to the following foods:

• Peanuts
• Tree Nuts
• Milk
• Egg
• Soy (soy lecithin and soybean oil are safe)
• Bananas
• Peas
• Beef

I am sure a lot of you can not imagine a day without some of these foods, let alone a lifetime. Some of these allergies are anaphylactic, which can be deadly. This has caused a lot of stress and worry for our family, and has caused a complete uprooting of our lives. We must check everything that comes into our home, car, environment. Things such as Halloween, parties, family outings, etc. have become a nightmare trying to ensure his safety. We have learned a lot, and have much much more to learn. The point is, we are submitting ourselves to God's plan right now for our family and letting Him guide these results.

I feel this is necessary right now in my walk for a lot of reasons, some of them:

• I need to understand fully exactly what it means to live as my son is living. This means to avoid foods that I love (some of which I already am,) and to try to not complain. I feel that this will make me a stronger person and a better, more compassionate mom.
• This sacrifice will allow me to come up with more allergy-friendly recipes and hopefully be more creative with his foods.
• To show God that I am willing to sacrifice food, which I love, for my son. I know it's nothing in comparison to what He sacrificed, but it's something.
• It will hopefully give me a healthier view of food in my life. As a friend said, to prove that food is for sustenance and to survive, not to be gluttonous.

People are choosing to pray for several things during this time, and I am hoping to be allowed to share a lovely email the friend who started this sent this weekend which moved me beyond words. Her vision for this little boy is amazing, and I never knew one friend could cause me to cry so much (brat! lol.) Right now, I am feeling called to pray for healing and understanding for booger. I am praying for him to not be discriminated against or people to not include him from things as he gets older. Honestly, I just want him to be as normal of a boy as he can be. I don't want him to be forced to worry about everything he puts in his mouth his entire life.

The point is, I am humbled beyond belief at the way this has grown and the number of people who are showing their love and support for our family. Throughout the next two weeks I will be posting recipes, foods, and encouragement for those choosing to follow. Please feel free to leave comments, encouragement, or to pray for all of us participating in this challenge, but please please please pray for our son. These allergies are getting worse and growing in number as he ages, and I am praying for a complete and total healing. So thanks, friends, and anyone who wants dinner during that week, come on over. Just let us know how much to cook!