Saturday Post-Op

As we've normally had surgeries scheduled for the beginning of the week, having surgery on a Friday left us wondering how we'd handle the post-op.  Dr. G. to the rescue - she met us at the PWB building on campus where absolutely no one else was in the office.  The nice thing was that we got to chat with her for an extended period of time without being concerned that we were taking her away from other patients.  

Sadie's eye looks wonderful!  We are thrilled with how clear the cornea looks.  This morning we got a really good look at where the shunt(s) is located - it's a very tiny plastic tube that we can see at the very top of her cornea (the blue part), but you can only see it if you are shining a very bright light in that area.  It's fascinating, and gruesome at the same time.  :)  We discussed glasses vs. contacts further, and we have more information to understand where Dr. G. is coming from when she requests that Sadie should not wear the contact in her surgical eye for up to 4 weeks.  When the shunt is placed, there is a very tiny plastic piece underneath a fold in the very upper part of her eye, and the tube reaches down into her cornea.  The fear is that while this area is healing, the contact could not only irritate and possibly infect the surgical area, but there is the possibility that the contact lens could go underneath the fold and behind the eye.  

All together now......"GROSS".

So, we're working on a temporary pair of glasses, yet again.  They were not able to check her prescription, so we're getting a lens for her that is akin to a drug store lens - very simple prescription but SOMETHING while she can't wear both contacts.  Our amazing new friends loaned us two pairs of their daughter's glasses that she used when she was Sadie's age.  They are so generous!!!

Hang in there, Sades!  We're getting closer to a more stable life for you, my love!

EIGHTH procedure......sigh.

After the EUA was rescheduled from Monday the 16th to today, Friday the 13th, we frantically changed our schedule, canceling two appointments for the morning and asking for help when it came to my theatre performance that night.  My parents graciously rescheduled their return to the midwest from Florida and were able to come and be with us.  

 

 

After being delayed for about 45 minutes (MUCH better than we assumed after being scheduled for an early afternoon procedure), Joel and I went into this day being more mentally prepared that Sadie would most likely need a Baerveldt shunt placed in her right eye today, and we were correct.  The good news is that her left eye (having been worked on November 11th) is handling the pressure quite well and was at a 16!  (As a reminder, anything under 20 is good.)  Thank the good Lord!  Finding out her right eye was at a 40 was a blow, considering we've been so diligent about the glaucoma drops, but if the shunt is the way to go, that's obviously the right decision.  

 
Sadie was a trooper as usual; we're always amazed by her eagerness to eat after being under anesthesia.  Maybe when she's older it will be harder on her tummy, but she gulped down almost 4 ounces of Pedialite right away and another 4 ounces of formula.  Good girl.  :)  Her post-op nurses were wonderful as usual, and the best news of the day was that because she's past the 6 month mark, she didn't need to stay for the previously required 2 hours in recovery!  
Dr. G. told us that yes, there was another crack in her right cornea, but that SHOULD heal after the pressures go down.  There was a suture coming out in the left eye, so she took care of that.  She also told us that Sadie was a fighter in the OR, showing the nurses and doctors her strength when they were trying to administer meds and tubes.  That's my girl.  :)

Although this is her EIGHTH surgery in 6 months, we pray and hold on to hope that the Lord above knows what He is doing and that this is the right path for our daughter's health and vision.  She amazes us everyday.....we are so lucky to be her parents and learn what real strength is!  

New Book

What we got in the mail today from Auntie Katie and Unkey Davey.
Jack Wears Contact Lenses and Glasses....Just Like You!

So excited to read to Sadie!!!

A good view into Sadie's visual impairment.

I found this today on one of the fantastic FB forums and groups.  

Although incredibly helpful for others (and myself) to understand what struggles Sadie might currently face (and battle in the future as well), it's also quite hard for me to grasp.  I would do anything, anything, to grant my baby perfect vision.  Although I am near sighted and need glasses/contacts to live everyday life, I no longer take my vision for granted.  

I vow to give Sadie every possible experience life has to offer, regardless of her visual struggles.  

With Halloween upon us....

Daddy vs. the Contacts

After reading this on eyepowerkidswear.com, Infant Contacts 101, Joel and I decided to have him learn how to put in and take out the contacts.  It would be great to have another set of hands that's knowledgeable in case I am unavailable.  

Tonight was a great success!  Though he admitted being nervous, he triumphed in the right eye after only 2 tries!!!  (I had already taken out the right CL.)  Way to go, honey!!!!

And not a hint of jealousy from me (who is a contact lens wearer) who struggled for MONTHS to really get it right!  :)

Eye "contact"

Looking back on Em's baby photos, I see so many pictures of her looking directly at the camera, from very early on.  She got used to mommy being in her face, and I became her paparazzo.  :)  I have done the same for Sades, taking many pictures of her daily life, trying to capture every moment.  What I have noticed from my Aphakic baby is that she has a very hard time focusing on something for more than 1 second (the vision teacher calls it "broken tracking"), so I am unable to get many pictures of her looking at the camera, smiling at me with her amazing beautiful face. It breaks my heart, and it's a new learning experience for me: trying desperately not to compare my little gal to other babies her age, or even her older sister.
But today I got the greatest gift - a picture of Sadie smiling at me. I'm not sure if God knew that I needed a "win" or if the contact lenses are helping her vision.  But I know that I will treasure this....forever.  

"Hi, Mommy!"