Eye Surgery Next Week

Sorry, it has been so long since we updated... We've been busy. We (mommy and daddy) were able to get away for a few days thanks to our wonderful friends the Dunhams. Once again, they gave us their house in Sunriver for the long weekend and if that wasn't wonderful enough, they watched the girls for us while so we could get away just the two of us. It was very nice. We were able to visit with some friends/clients and just plain relax. Early in the week, we weren't sure if we were going to be able to go - too many things just trying to fall apart around us and we decided that we needed the break. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the Dunhams for making it happen. We are blessed to count you as friends!

Last week, we had Rebekah's appointment with the eye surgeon. He basically told us that she couldn't see anything out of her left eye because of the cataract. He had us look through some lenses to get an idea of what Rebekah's vision is in that eye. I couldn't see a thing. Then, he started into the details of the surgery... It is clear that she needs the surgery and so we scheduled it for as early as possible - the middle of April, but they were going to put us on a list to fill a cancellation. They called yesterday and asked if we can do it next Monday. That makes it the first day of Spring Break, which is really a good time. We weren't planning on going away as there is too much to do at the "booboo" house and just plain too much to do period. And this way, we can get her recovered a little bit before sending her back to school. It makes for a whirlwind to get ready for it, rescheduling other appointments and getting in to see the pediatrician to get "clearance" for the surgery, etc...

Thursday of this week, I'll have to take Rebekah out of school early to visit the Pediatrician. Monday of next week is the surgery. Tuesday a followup appointment. Wednesday, probably a stay home day. Thursday, speech therapy (if we don't decide to cancel) and then her hearing test. And Friday of next week is the Chest CT, so that we can know if her lungs are looking good. The following Monday back to school and Tuesday another followup (1 week) appointment for the eye surgery.

After the Surgery, Rebekah will need to wear eye glasses to correct her eye. We ordered glasses last week to see if she was going to cooperate with wearing them, but they won't be here until probably sometime next week. Then we'll probably need to send them back with a "new" prescription. The surgery removes her lens (cataracts are a clouding of the lens) and replaces it with a plastic lens that is what they expect her to need as an adult (age 12 and above). In the interim, she will need glasses to "correct" her vision. Long term, she will likely need bifocals or reading glasses.

Because her brain hasn't been able to use the "bad" eye for a while now, there is a possibility that she won't be able to re-train the brain to use the eye. Please pray for the surgery and for the recovery, especially that she will be able to re-train the brain. Also, because the eye has received a lot of radiation, it may not heal "normally". Please be diligent in praying that it will heal properly and there won't be any major complications.