Follow-up

So we went to see Dr. Holz last week and yesterday for follow up appointments.  Everything looks good. He gave us more steroid drops that he will probably be on for a long time just to decrease the swelling and inflammation. He says to treat Landon like a little boy and let him do everything he wants. As long as he has his glasses on!! We go back to see him in 3 weeks. Dr. Holz has really taken a liking to our little man. He was a very no nonsense guy when we first met him and he has had to give us nothing but bad news since the beginning, but when he sees Landon now, he waves at him and plays with him (when Landon will let him get close, which is not often :) We sent him and his assistant a cookie bouquet last week for being so good to us and Landon. Do you know that man did not share a single cookie with his staff?? He took it home and shared it with his wife and little boy! I can't help but think he was probably glad to go home to a son with two good eyes. And that's good. I'm glad Landon makes people love eachother more!!

On that note, we cannot slow this child down!! He is into everything, and stops for nothing (but an occassional cookie!) Everyone told me he would adapt and boy has he. Since he has no peripheral vision in that right eye, he is learning to feel with his body when things are close to the right side. He almost bumped into the car yesterday but brushed it just enough with his shoulder to let him know it was there. It's pretty impressive. 

We went to the zoo yesterday and he loved it! My mom was carrying him around the reptile cages and he looked at the huge python and said "Ewwwww, Yuck, Yuck!! My sentiments exactly! Hope everyone has a blessed weekend!

We're done

What a day! Sorry it has taken me a while to get to the computer. We are more than exhausted; mentally and physically. Landon was such a trooper today. We are so very proud of him. On that note, our greatest fears were confirmed. His eye is beyond repair. Dr. Holz said that the retina was not only completely detached but it was also folded up and pushed to the front of the eye. He said he didn't want to go into all of the "gory details." It was really no surprise to either of us. I told Dr. Holz that I did not regret going into surgery; we had to know; and he agreed. He said he had to know, too.

On a good note, they did not move forward with the corneal transplant. Apparently Dr. Omalley was right about that. His cornea was clear so they removed the cataract and closed his eye up. I am incredibly greatful that we did not have to do the transplant and that Landon will keep his eye. We will treat him for comfort; meaning we will make sure there is NO pain! And then we will talk about the hard contact like shield for cosmetics probably prior to pre-K or kindergarten. Before he hits his big socialization period :)

We cannot tell you how glad we are to be finished with this. There will be no more operating room, and only a few weeks worth of post op visits. He will go on wearing his little safety glasses and he'll be just fine. We were very disappointed, but that is overshadowed by the great feeling of completion. We have put our baby through more than enough, and we are glad to be done. 

I think that Landon will have a great testimony one day. I don't ask "why" this happened because no one knows but God and I can ask him one day when I get to heaven. We have learned more about faith than I can tell you and we have been stretched. But I am at a better place now than where I was when we started this ordeal and I feel good about that. Do I wish that God would have stretched me by using my own body and not my baby's? SURE DO! But it is all in his hands and we are moving on. Thank goodness!

We want to thank you for following this journey with us through this blog. It has been a great way to touch base with everyone and more importantly as I've said from the get go, it has been a great venting mechanism. I know my best friend has gotten tired of listening to me rant and rave about this, but she's never said so; and I love her for that. Thank you for praying and believing with us, even though the outcome has not been what we wanted. We have a baby who's blind in one eye and he is going to do amazing things all in Jesus' name. Thank you, we love you all. We'll let you know what happens at the post op visit tomorrow. 

Change of plans

So we talked to Dr. Holz's assistant today and they are moving the surgery from Texas Childrens to Methodist hospital. Apparently since corneal transplants are uncommon in kids, Children's doesn't have the transplant equipment that they need, and Methodist does but is not willing to lend it to Children's. That really bums me out because we really wanted it done at Children's. It is such a kid friendly atmosphere and of course I work there so I am familiar with it. The other thing that bums me out is that at Children's I get a 60% discount for being an employee... that certainly would have helped with the insurance bills. That's okay though. As long as we have the two best doctors we'll be fine wherever we do it.

So we have to meet at our doc's office in the morning at 8 to sign consent forms. Then we will head to Methodist and surgery will be at 11 instead of 10:30. So although the time and location have changed, we are still asking for everyone to be in prayer at 11. The most wonderful mother's day gift would be for them to fix Landon's eye. We are praying for that, but if it doesn't happen at least I will get to spend Mother's Day with my baby. We love you all and thank you for your support. We'll let you all know how everything goes tomorrow afternoon. DON'T FORGET TO PRAY AT 11!!!

"Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

~Luke 18:42-43

Confirmation

So our doctor's office called today and we are set for surgery on Thursday at 10:30. We are anxious and nervous but ready to have it done and over with.  They were able to work out the schedule with their first choice Corneal specialist, so that makes me feel good. Dr. Holz will work on the retina and Dr. Pflugfelder will do the corneal transplant.  It will be about a 2-3 hour surgery. That is going to be difficult for us. All of the previous surgeries have been about 45 minutes to an hour. We will discuss details prior to taking him back. I am hoping they have the wagon again. Last time they got ready to take him back the anesthesiologist pulled him into the room in a wagon. He was pretty excited about that and it certainly calmed our nerves. 

So please be in prayer at 10:30 on Thursday. Pray for these doctors to work a miracle through God for my son.  He will be fine. We know that. On another note, I had predicted that I would probably have to reschedule my Lasix procedure because they would probably want to do surgery for Landon on my surgery date. Well guess what... I was right. I had to move my Lasix procedure back 2 weeks. I've been dreaming of this for weeks now! But that's okay. My baby is worth it. 

Thank you for checking on us, and continue to pray. Pray specifically that his doctor can completely reattach his retina and that Landon's body does not reject the transplant.

We will update as soon as we can.