Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): Our Journey of Hope [Part 2]

Around the 7 month mark in our journey to discover answers on why our daughter was still sick, we met with a truly amazing GI doctor. He was able to diagnose Audra’s condition: eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a relatively new disease that attacks the esophagus and is often aggravated by food allergies and intolerances. We were immediately plunged into a new world of elimination diets, endoscopies, new medications, allergy testing, and lots and lots of research on our part. The theme of fears and loneliness mixed with love and support continued even though we had a diagnosis. We knew we needed to draw on our faith in God’s goodness and on the support of our friends and family.

Some days it seemed that things were getting better, and I desperately hoped we were returning to normal. Then there were days like the one when Audra woke up from her nap with hives that quickly escalated to shallow breathing. A trip to urgent care quickly followed to stop the allergic reaction from something she had in her lunch earlier that day. Never knowing when an episode might show up or a reaction might occur meant never being able to fully relax. And so continued the ebb and flow:

Breathing out questions. Why is there so little information about this? How is this a “new” disease? Will God heal her?

Breathing in thankfulness. We were under the care of amazing doctors and nurses. We had a diagnosis. God is answering our prayers.

Breathing out loneliness/isolation. Looking around, it felt like no one in our circles could relate. It was hard bringing special food for Audra anywhere we went since she most likely could not enjoy what everyone else was eating.

Breathing in support. Our family and friends covered us in prayer and offered practical help that carried us through the rough days.

Breathing out despair. How are we going to handle this? The effects of this fallen world hurt, and the pain of seeing our daughter suffer was real.

Breathing in strength. We were in this together as a family, and we knew we needed to draw on God’s promises that He would never leave us or forsake us.

Breathing out fear. Will we have to go down the worst case scenario path? How many “what ifs” can we handle?

Breathing in peace. Jesus’ perfect peace that surpasses all understanding guarded our hearts and minds when we had no peace of our own.

It took many more months of adjusting diet and medications and follow-up endoscopies to find the right balance of what would help Audra’s esophagus heal. Through God’s healing hand and the care of Audra’s (amazing) doctors, we received a clear report on her esophagus over 2 years after this journey started. I can still remember the joyful sound of the nurse’s voice who called us with the news. Audra continues to take her medication daily and we are monitoring her food allergies, but her eosinophil numbers are at a perfect zero! We have also since welcomed another daughter who has no signs of EoE to date.

Breathing out relief.

Breathing in praise.

Breathing out long held prayers.

Breathing in hope.

Our life is by no means perfect today, and we do continue to feel the effects of all we went through. But. Each day we continue to see the Lord’s hand and work in Audra’s life. We are learning what it means to walk in faith, love, and hope.

We know that other families’ experiences with eosinophilic esophagitis may be different from ours, but we want to share this story to inspire others to boldly ask the Lord to meet them in this disease with His healing, and most of all, with His presence. 

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