Eczema Joy and an Eczema Don't

I never knew I could be so thankful for beautiful skin...on another person...until my dear, sweet boy, Max came along into my life. He has had an especially bad year with his eczema...severe infections, bed-ridden pain for days on end, red-bloody-oozy skin (totally gross, I know), depression, which for a 6 yr.old is beyond sad. After much thought and prayer, we decided on a risky treatment of Cyclosporine (an anti-rejection medication used by transplant recipients) to help suppress his immune system just enough to trick his body into NOT reacting to every little thing in his environment. The result, so far, is awesome! His skin is absolutely beautiful! He's back to his old hyper self. As he's running, screaming through the house, nearly smacking his baby sister upside the head with his new Indiana Jones whip (thanks Grandma and PawPaw), I have to stop before getting on to him and thank God that he is able to do this....to play....to run...to have joy again. What a blessing!

On another note....if ever in public, and you see a child with a rash or sores, please resist the urge to yell out, "Hey, is that eczema?" or "Does he have chicken pox?" or "What's wrong with him?" I know you may not mean to be rude, but consider the child you're referring to. Although he may act as if he doesn't, he CAN hear you, and he is SICK of being made to feel DIFFERENT or as if his entire existence is centered around this frustrating skin disease. Don't worry...trust me...if it was contagious or the PLAGUE, I wouldn't have him in public.