We traveled to Birmingham for a visit with the fam & for Anderson's next eye visit. It has been 6 months since our last visit! I cannot believe it. For awhile I think we were averaging at least one every 2 weeks, so this was a pretty long stretch.
Anderson was SO good during the visit. To all of the people who said, "It doesn't get easier", you are wrong. He was way better at this appointment than he ever has been at one. An almost 3 hour doctor appointment is never going to be amazing, but it was pretty close.
He discovered his name.
Here is Dr.Cogen-is this what he thought you looked like?
Dr. Cogen: The lens looks perfect. His eye looks great. Some people have already dropped out of the race at this point.
BUT...
You don't get partial credit. Nobody gets a medal for running 1/3 of a marathon. You're doing great; not everyone can run a marathon.
You are still in the hard part.
There are 3 things required for vision (pointing at a chart on the wall)-1. A normal eye. God didn't give him one of those, but I did. (Haven't I always said Dr.Cogen is a bit like God? Not in a blasphemous way, just in a really nice way) 2. A brain. I have no reason to doubt that his is fine (Anderson is a genius) 3. An optic nerve. We have no way of knowing if that is working yet & won't know until he is 6 at the earliest. Possibly 8 or 9. The marathon won't be over until then.
You have to keep patching all but 2 hours a day (we get an extra hour off!!!)
Please quit asking questions for a minute, you know me well enough by now to know I am going to answer all of your questions. (ha, ha!)
Best case scenario at the end of all of this: 20/20 corrected vision (with contacts/glasses)
Worst case scenario: 20/200 corrected vision (the big E on the chart)
10% chance of glaucoma at this point, 1% chance of detached retina (woo hoo!)
Keep at it, one day I will give your number to new patients so you can encourage them. (I thanked him for giving me contact info of a veteran cartaract mom)
See you in 6 months.
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| AMANDA (Easton's Mom:), This is for you! I saw this poster in the waiting room & thought of you when I saw the giraffe. Then I read the caption, "I will carry you all the way, I promise you will SEE the day" (SEE is not capitalized, but it should be!) How perfect is this? A giraffe, "SEE" & it was in a ped. op. office! It is you carrying Easton maybe? Making it ok for him? Or, maybe it is God carrying you? I don't know, but I know it is a sign and I was so happy! |
Thank God for a good report..we have to keep praying and patching.. Whats another 5 years. :)
ReplyDeleteWhy did I tear up while reading this? Happy (still winning the race)? Sad (not over yet)? Scared (a little, realistically)? I think...just proud, mainly. Some people have already dropped out of the race. That is so weird.
ReplyDeleteHe is NOTHING like what I expected.
Bringing an alphabet puzzle next week. One less thing.
Oh, maybe the tearing up...possibility of 20/20 with glasses! 20/20!
I love the poster pic! I love that you thought of me and believed in it. I think your symbolism is spot on... some days it is us Eye Moms carrying our little ones showing them the way and on other days, we are the ones being carried!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that your appointment went smoothly and delivered some good and hopeful news! This is most definitely a marathon and it is only the beginning. But I know I can do this now, especially with the support of our cyber friendship. Knowing that I am not alone, that Easton is not alone makes all the difference!!!
Dr. Cogen seems awesome, he let you take his picture! LOL He has the same warmth and concern in his eyes as our Dr. Funny isn't it, the littlest things that you notice, that instantly put a worried parent right at ease. I am sure you are glad you are making that drive less often but boy I am sure the drive is worth it every time!
Dr. Cogen is the bomb! Not what I was expecting for his picture but I almost trust him more since he is bald. I mean, bald men really do rock :) And I think it's worth pointing out that not only will you & Anderson finish this marathon, but you are going to take first place :)
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful! I am so proud of you, and Anderson. Dr. Cogen is younger than the imaginary version in my head. Congrats on keepin on keeping on - as if there was ever any other option!
ReplyDeletedr cogen sounds awesome. i love a dr who can pull off a "please stop answering questions" comment like that and not be a jerk. my fertility dr was like that. all business, but in an awesome way.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful news!! You get an hour off! HOLY COW! It's a Christmas miracle!
ReplyDeleteDr. Cogen sounds like the most wonderful doctor ever! I laughed at the part about you interupting with questions, I would be the exact same way.
Double knot those laces, this marathon is heating up to be a great one! 20/20 corrected vision is in sight, literally! I know Stella will wear glasses, I have since I was 8!