When Grace last visited Dr. Demain here in Kodiak he referred her to see a Pediatric Gastrointernologist in Anchorage. I called the office of Dr. Semancik at Providence in Anchorage and got an appointment the week in July that we will be visiting Anchorage. It actually worked out perfect...we (Chad, Zach, Grace & I) fly into Anchorage on the evening of July 6th, then the very next day Grace has her appointment at 8:30am and then Zach has an appointment with Dr. Neeno (an allergist at Dr. Demain's office) right down the street, then my in-laws arrive at 12:15pm later that same day. We then have another 3 1/2 days on the Mainland to have some fun. We've rented a condo with a full kitchen in order to be able to make our own meals since we cannot eat in most restaurants with the possibility of gluten cross-contamination. We also have plans to visit the zoo, the waterpark and take the train to Seward. We've been here in Alaska for 4 years and my kids still have not been to Anchorage or the Mainland for a visit, so e decided this was the year!
At the visit with the gastrointerologist they will determine if Grace needs to have an endoscopy. I have a feeling that this will need to happen because she has been gluten-free for more than 6 months and she has bouts of stomach pains, diarrhea and/or constipation. If she does have to get the endoscopy, her and I will have to reschedule our return flights and stay a few extra hours.
I guess I'm still a little irritated that it took us moving to Alaska to find out what was ultimately her diagnosis. She was constantly sick (at least once per month) and no one ever thought to run any extra tests/blood work for her. I have come to the realization that mother's intuition and being your own child's doctor is the only way to really get to the bottom of what is going on. Although, I am so very thankful for Dr. Jennifer Webster (Family Practice) for initially referring Grace to Dr. Jeffrey Demain (Pediatric Allergist/Immunologist) and ultimately getting her diagnosis. I am also very hopeful to meet Dr. Semancik and finding out if there is anything else we can do to help Grace.
