Molluscum Contagiosum

So Jackson's been battling a virus for months now.  And but months, I mean MONTHS.

The virus is called Molluscum Contagiosum.

Now, we had it checked out about six or seven months ago and the doctor said typically you just leave it as it goes away on its own (IN ONE TO TWO YEARS).  So we did for about four or five months.  It didn't show any signs of getting better, in fact, we saw a couple bumps on his tummy and decided to go to his pediatrician as I didn't want it to spread further.  When we went to do this, the doctor was on holidays, and because we had already waited for two and a half hours (his pediatrician works out of a medicentre) I figured, we'd put our trust in our doctor's colleague.  Big Mistake.  BIG.  HUGE.  

This doctor had us convinced that the best treatment is to use liquid nitrogen.  Painful.  Slow.  Ongoing over a period of weeks.  We went to three painful sessions of this before I said ENOUGH.  It was not getting better.  In fact, it was looking worse.  MUCH WORSE.

By this time, Jackson's pediatrician was back and we saw him.  We were horrified to find out that liquid nitrogen is a treatment that is known to WORSEN and SPREAD the virus.  So here we were standing there completely pissed off and completely heartbroken that we put Jackson through something painful only to turn around and have it be worse. 

The doctor immediately referred us to a specialist.  Pediatrician and Dermatologist.  Very nice.  Actually that's an understatement.  This doctor is amazing.  And not only with us, but with Moose.  The first treatment that he chose to do is the one that is proven to be least painful and most effective.

Ummmm....WRONG.  Not in Jackson's case.  Jackson, you see, was part of a very small percentage of people who react quite adversely to this treatment.  So adversely that it is safe to say that I have never, ever seen him in so much pain.  Convulsing.  Screaming.  Terrified.  It was the worst yet.  The recovery from this treatment was traumatic for all of us.  After a couple weeks we went back.  Explained to the doctor.  Started over.

The next treatment (and the three after) have been a 100% effective method.  The only 100% effective method there is.  Numbing the area and cutting every. single. bump. off.  The problem with this treatement is there is no way you can actually get all of them in one sitting as Jackson's case had grown dramatically worse.  So, we may have a treatment or two further once we see how things heal up...but as it looks, it's working.

This whole experience has been beyond exhausting.  He's missed school because he couldn't wear pants let alone walk.  He's missed swimming.  And we've missed him.  His smile, his excitement, his love of the bath and water.  But - I can say - since this last treatment method, we definitely have our happy boy back.  There is a bit of TLC involved with post procedure recovery, but far more minimal than the horrible first two attempts.  

We will get there.  And we are very grateful that Sawyer (knock on every piece of wood around me) has not contracted the virus.  It seems that this virus is kinda like cold sores in that some people are more immune to it and some pick it up really easily.  It's often called 'swimmer's warts' even though they aren't warts.  They look like them but in clusters.  We think because of the location that him sitting on the edge of the pool at swimming lessons may have been the culprit for the start of it all.  But really, it could have been a swing.  A seat on the LRT.  A restaurant chair.  WHO KNOWS.  It's life.  He's tough.  We're tough.

This was the back of his knees at their almost worst.  Huge blisters.  He couldn't walk.  He couldn't wear pants.  It was a very rough few days here.  This was after the treatment that he had the poor (minority of population) reaction to.

 

Our brave boy over some of the appointments...

 

And these are them as of about 10 minutes ago...

 

Jackson tells many people about 'Dr. M-Connel' (Dr. McConnell)...all in a wonderful way.  It's amazing how far good bed-side manner can take you in the world of a child (or any human for that matter!).  Hopefully this helps someone out there help their child if they suspect their child may have the virus...go to a specialist right outta the gate.