Pages

5.03.2010

A new look on life

Well, today's eye exam didn't give quite the results we were hoping for.

At the last visit three weeks ago Dr. F was encouraged by the reduction in pressure in Darcy's eye and hoped that we'd be able to avoid further surgery for months, possibly even years.  But the pressure has remained the same since then and so our next visit in three more weeks is a combo eye exam/pre-op.  At that time Dr. F will determine if the goniotomy was successful enough to try to open the second half of the drain or if it is time to go ahead with the Baerveldt valve implant.  That news was disappointing, but we are thankful that Dr. F wanted to work Darcy into the surgery rotation ASAP after we told her of our current situation.  She feels confident that we can get scheduled before our current insurance plan changes on June 30.

But there was a really good part to today's exam.

Our little girl has a new look on life.  Her strong eye went from 20/60 to 20/40 and her helper eye went from 20/400 to somewhere between 20/200 and 20/125.

 And not only does Dr. F (and therefore we) know she is seeing better, more importantly, it appears she knows she's seeing better.
Cause she grinned as soon as they were on her face.  Then she spent a little extra time studying mine.  She never once tried to take them off all day.  And when she reappeared from her bedroom after her nap, she was sporting her little pink frames.
Something tells me that her little grin means she thinks she looks pretty.  Of course we do too!
And you know what I love about my kids?  Both of her siblings were pretty supportive.  Of course I wasn't really surprised about that.  These days, about 90% of the time, that's the way these guys are.   Loving life.  Laughing.  Smiling.  Together. 

Now, there is the news that we will start patching her strong eye so that the brain is forced to accept information from the helper eye.  Three hours a day.  Seven days a week.  For the next two years.

Can't say that I'm looking forward to it, but we'll see how the first patching goes tomorrow.  Course from what I know about this little girl, she'll roll with the punches.  It's what she seems to do best.  And when she gets a questioning look from someone in public about her patch, she's got her posse by her side.  
 And when you got love like this on your right and left, who needs to worry about what others might think...

26 comments:

Heather said...

And here I thought it was just my son that was secure enough in his masculinity to confidently sport a clippie, ha! Caleb, you rock, you and Eli would have so much fun together!!! Your sweet spectacled girl looks lovely as ever. Sorry the news wasn't exactly what you were hoping for - but thankful you have a wonderful doctor to walk you through. Continuing to hold you all in prayer my friend.

Traci said...

I love this little posse! Darcy is so precious and so is the love from Kylie and Caleb!

Tricia said...

Love the picture of Darcy in her glasses. She must be thrilled to be seeing better. I'm with Heather, I love Caleb's hair. I remember when Andrew used to put his hair up.

I'm actually taking Adam to the eye doctor tomorrow. A couple of weeks ago he wanted to put on my glasses. When he did, he immediately said everything was brighter.

Leslie said...

So bummed about the pressure reading. We'll keep praying for sweet Darcy. What a blessing that God gave her such an agreeable spirit and how she trusts you & Ian... to help her through all the transitions - from China to the US, then the surgery, now the glasses... she just takes it all in stride and keeps smiling! Darcy's my hero! =)

Andrea said...

It looks like Caleb didn't want to get left out on the hair accessories. Yes? Her pink frames are adorable!

Sandra & Steve said...

What a trooper she is and her siblings sound great, hope all the news gets better for her. Best wishes.

Our Journey said...

1st - my heart is melting looking @ those 3 together - I can only imagine how much love they must have for each other. 2nd - OH SHE IS SO CUTE in those pink frames!! I can only imagine how long those 2 years might seem now - but we all know time flies. Praying things work out w/ this next procedure. Let us know when so we can pray with you!!

Heather said...

She is just so stinkin' cute in those glasses! So happy she can see a little better too! YEAH!

Rachelle said...

She looks great in her glasses! Praying for all to fall under your insurance plan like you are wanting.

Pam said...

Love those cute pink frames on that cute smilin' face!!!!!

Larry and Carol said...

Just beautiful!!

Kathy said...

Darcy is just a doll with her new look and she is such a trooper. Wish the news had been better but am grateful you have such a wonderful and understanding doctor. I'm so proud of my grandkids that they care so much for each other.

Ally said...

Oh My Cuteness!!! Is she just adorable in those glasses! Such a beautiful bunch you have there Kristi:)

Anonymous said...

Love the glasses! She looks so cute in them! And btw, it appears that glasses are the "in" thing around here. Kids who don't need them beg to get them! Don't think you will have to worry except someone wanting her glasses!

Beth

Jen Barbee said...

I think it is Caleb and the clippie who might should be worried about getting the questioning look. LOL.

Lindy said...

I'm sorry you didn't get the news you wanted.

Darcy look so cute beaming away in her new glasses. I'm sure it helps that now she wears glasses just like Mama does! What an adaptable kid she is!!

Love your little clip-wearing T-rex guy! Those children appear to have such a wonderful bond. What a blessing and what good parents you must be.

Melanie & David said...

oh my gosh - Darcy is such an amazing trooper and she looks so cute and adorable in her pretty glasses. I am very sorry that the news was not what you were hoping for, especially after such a promising reading before, but it sounds like you have an amazing eye care team and what a relief that the surgery can likely be done while your insurance is still in place.
Your kids are beautiful and it's so wonderful to see how supportive and loving Kylie and Caleb are. I did not even notice Caleb's clippie until seeing the comments - I just thought he was having a bad hair day - must be because I am so used to seeing Isaac in jewels and his sister's shoes etc. that I don't even notice a clippie in a boy's hair being unusual. Back to your prior post about Kylie and her questions - I am living the same thing with my "turns four this month year old" - she is honestly hoarse from her non-stop incessant questions but it's also so cute and shows how much they think about everything and process it all. I can't wait to hear the Caleb tales - might make me feel better about what it going on in my household!
Hoping to get to see you soon.
Melanie, David, Indigo and Isaac

thebaushous.wordpress.com said...

What a brave little trooper. I want to be just like Darcy when I grow up! Love the glasses and the posse, too.
We're praying for you guys.

Nancy said...

Oh my gosh! She looks ADORABLE in her little pink glasses! I can't even imagine how she feels to be able to "magically" see things. I pray that everything happens speedily before Ian's insurance ends.
ps - Is that Caleb with a clippy in his hair??! :)

Our Journey to China said...

LOVE your post!!! Our love and prayers continue to be with you! What a beautiful family, we are blessed to have spent the week with you all in China! :0) Love, the Boyds

Jenn said...

Cute, Cute!!! Every girl needs a posse! :)

Glenda said...

Aren't they all so amazing? The last few lines gave me chillbumps. Siblingship is such a wonderful thing.

McNew Family said...

Yeah, Darcy! Yeah for super eye doctors that get our kiddos in glasses so they can see! Our newest daughter just got her glasses yesterday and she copied her name on paper for the first time - duh - she could finally see what she was doing!!!!!

TanyaLea said...

awhhh, that Darci is such a trooper! She's a DOLL in her pink frames, and that grin is PRICELESS!! Cute bunch of kiddos you have there, Kristi...you are BLESSED!!! <><

Hugs,
Tanya

Laine said...

Oh Kristi this makes me miss y'all so much! Praying for all of you. And Darcy you are adorable!

Angela said...

Don't know how you get a thing done around your house...I would be so mesmerized by those 3 ADORABLE faces! Praying for all as you walk down this road.

Angela