GAIT, again

Friday morning Charlotte's original diagnosis by the first dermatologist we saw was reaffirmed and expanded on.

Interstitial Granuloma Annulare

Which is different from Granuloma Annulare in that it is all over the body (not just in circles) and is really REALLY itchy. Doc told us that she has patients with it that are just miserable. It's rare and there is no cure. They don't know what causes it and they can't cure it. They don't know that much about it. She doesn't want to put Charlotte on steroids. Because, obviously, the steroids will treat it temporarily but once she's off the steroids it will come right back and it's dangerous to put a child on strong steroids because it causes the child's own production of steroids to decrease or stop. Charlotte could stop growing! Her hair could fall out, cause cognitive delays...

She recommended a pediatrician in Columbus that we're going to see on Tuesday (Charty also has to get her stitches out).

Charlotte was really upset in the doctor's office. I brought a bag full of new toys for her to pull out and play with and that helped (thanks for rec, Amber). The dermatologist also looked like Addison Shepherd (Grey's Anatomy) so I think that helped...Adam...too... (wink) She was really sweet and really smart. She asked about Charty's experience with the biopsy and was appalled, as was I, to learn that they didn't apply a numbing cream before the biopsy, I knew nothing about numbing cream until the new doctor told me about it. I was ticked off. She said the shots they give to numb the area really sting. Oh it makes me so mad! I'm going to insist upon the numbing cream from now on, when she gets vaccines or anything. I've been practicing in the mirror - No, I INSIST you apply numbing cream. I am the mother and I INSIST.

We went to Birmingham after the appointments. We saw some old friends and new babies and it was so much fun. We miss our friends!!! Charty and I shopped and then we all drove home in the rain.

The dermatologist does not think Charlotte has an allergy. She would hate to put Charlotte through allergy testing, as do we, just for the hell of it, really. We'll talk to the new pediatrician on Tuesday about it.

Can I just add how glad I am that it's not looking like allergies? The 6 most common food allergens in children: peanuts, dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, shellfish/seafood

What in the WORLD would we eat for breakfast? not eggs, not cheese grits, not toast or english muffin, not cereal, not yogurt. Bacon and cantaloupe I guess. That would be really hard!!!