Well it was confirmed last Monday (8/1/11) - it is in fact poison ivy.

I must say my kids a trooper, a spot on her wrist has spread up her arm, her belly and both hands are actually swollen with not a single complaint from her.

I took her to see the Doctor, and Ellen told her all of her symptoms as she sat still for the exam, helped me find and carry her medications thru the drug store and let us begin the healing process. 

We were off on a new adventure in parenthood...

I've been so ridiculously proud of my poor baby girl.  It is physically impossible for Elle to be still for more then 2 seconds, but she tried so hard to stand like a statue with the medication all over her waiting for it to dry.

Her fortitude always amazes me

We started on a mad Calamine Lotion approach.  I did not know that just cured the itch, and did nothing for the rash...  plus every time we were applying it and I call it "the lotion," I thought of Silence of The Lambs   ew

On day three we went back to the doctor.  We were leaving on a 4 day trip the next day and it was on the inside bridge of her nose by her eye.  I thought I'd better be safe then sorry.  The doctor said no worries but it was good to double check.  She also mentioned rubbing it with Hydrocortizone and giving her children's chewable Claritan in the morning... okay, this might have helped to learn at Monday's visit...  back to the Walgreens...

So we left for the camping/ amusement park adventure.  Friday morning, we were excited about the day of water rides, but I was so very worried about my baby. The poison ivy had spread to most of her body and had finally reached her beautiful face </3  It was breaking my heart and I hated to take her out in a bathing suit.  I schooled her many times on the walk through the park that if anyone asks, you just say you have a rash, not from what!

That was such a long day! Ellen loved the water rides especially Grizzly Run but was scared of the log ride asking to never do that again. The big one though, was when she lost her nacho cheese in the Wave Pool! LoL so grossssss... Through it all though... even the puking, not one complaint from my sweet girl. 

Later that night, I put on my big gurl pants and rode the Vipor. Piece a cake.

By the time we were done, all I could think was how much I love this kid and the whole Batson family! We rode every ride, played every game and  rocked out to the laser blast/fireworks! Boy does Ellen loves her cousins ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ - what a lucky girl she is. 

That night I was up with my girl at two and again at three rubbing Cort-Aid on her.  Honestly, if nothing else up to this point has earned me my "mom" badge, the poison ivy should seal the deal. It just feels impossible - my poor poor baby girl.

Toughest kid I know ♥

The plus side to everything that happened - She slept Sat. morning until 10am ... I may have unlocked the secret.  Brett, we're gonna need a Theme Park in our back yard please.

My frustration set in with Ellen when it came time to drinking her Benadryl.  Someone told me to get the chewable ones for kids, but does anyone carry them?  Hell no.  I did learn later that they keep some of that stuff in the back and you just need to ask the pharmacist.  okay... good to know. 

Sat evening we went to the Sea Lion show where she got kissed by Stella the Sea Lion!!! Kids was over the moon ♥   

3am Sunday morning, this thought kept running through my head.... 'last night I felt like some kind of true american hero, tonight I'm just so exhausted I could throw up ...'

Sunday - Now Brett's got it ...

My poor child is still covered at this point and it has spread to her lower half, butt, hoo-hoo and legs....  chest, and belly are on fire and just look so, so horrible.

When we got home Sunday I made her soak in the tub for a while.  When she was dried off I tried the Cortizone 10 with cooling effect (not thinking obviously)  I applied it to her entire body and she said it was cold.  She ran out of the bathroom in tears and jumped into a fleece blanket in her dad's lap and cried her self to sleep.  She was freezing.  In hind sight I imagine it cools the skin the way horse linament does once it works it's way into your skin.  Probably would have been okay on a small patch, but not her entire body...  you live and you learn...

I also trimmed her nails down to nubs that day while she slept.  I should have done that from the start, but it never occured to me until day 6.  (oops)

Sunday night however, almost completely gone!!!

Monday we were lazy about her treatment because it was clearing up and she was VERY Sick of us comeing at her with cream, lotions, medicaine etc.

Tuesday, she was once again covered.  DAMN IT.

Back in the tub she went and once again... I covered her in the Cold Cortizone 10 cream... same thing... crying and freezing.. but damn it, it cleared it up last time.  And wouldn't you know... worked again! 

At this point I sent my husband back to the store.  Get that same thing without the cooling effect, and find some damn chewable Benadryl!!!   He was successful      Good Daddy

Last night (Thursday) she went potty during dinner.  I heard her wash her hands then I hear, "Finally, I'm back to my old self!"    ???  I waited to see what this was about...  Ellen reappeared completely butt ass naked and her skin looked normal!!  

On closer examination, I saw red splotches, but once again we, tubbed, then did Cortizone... and Calamine at bed to keep her from itching in her sleep.

This morning she looks good!  We'll do the same tonight. 

I can not wait to just have my normal happy, unscratchy little peanut back to normal... and to stop smelling Calamine etc. every where I go! 

My nostrils may never be the same again....