This morning we had the second appointment with Dr. Van Ittersum, the wonderful dermatologist that is coordinating Karim's treatment.
He was very pleased with the results after only one week on Aquaphor. It is an over-the-counter cream. The other cream did not seem to make a difference. So now, we were told to apply the Aquaphor several times daily and at night we have to apply it thickly to his feet, cover with saran wrap, and cover with socks. This will hold the cream in. The goal at this point is to soften the skin on the affected areas.
He wants to avoid surgery if possible. We have been very pleased with this doctor, who has gone out of his way completely to treat Karim, at no benefit to himself.
Father Antonio had asked me how did this doctor know it was this syndrome, as opposed to the other disease they had thought in Lebanon.
I asked him this and he said that the pattern of involvement on the soles and the thickness of skin in the affected areas were very characteristic of Olmsted's Syndrome.
He also said there are several diseases very similar to this, with similar diagnoses.
He sent Karim for blood work at the hospital lab. He wants to check a lot of things, including his zinc level, which had been low previously. He will put him on a medication, soriatane, and hopes that good results will be very evident in two months' time. This drug is similar to a drug used in other parts of the world for this type of syndrome. It has not been approved by the FDA for use on children, so we have to use the next best thing.
We will continue the topical and wound care. The swab of his feet proved that they are definitely infected, which may be one reason for his pain. He prescribed antibiotics which will hopefully clear up the infection soon. When the infection goes away, he will smell better, too. He has an unpleasant smell about him, caused by the sores and infection.
We went to the hospital for lab work. Tom Powers, the man who helped arrange for the care at Mercy General Hospital, was there. I wanted him to meet Karim. He took all of us to lunch. The picture is of Tom with Karim and Ebtissam. The other picture is the physician's assistant at Dr. Van Ittersum's office taking another picture of Karim's face. She is so sweet. She gave us a whole bag of clean, used clothes for Karim.
Prayer for Healing Karim.
O God who is the only source of health and healing, the spirit of calm and the central peace of this universe, grant to Karim such a consciousness of your indwelling and surrounding presence that he may permit you to give him health and strength and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God of heavenly powers, who, by the might of thy
command, drivest away from men’s bodies all sickness
and all infirmity; Be present in thy goodness with this thy
servant Karim, that his weakness may be banished and his strength recalled; that his health being thereupon restored, he may bless thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
