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11.07.2013

Natalie's eyes


"Chains be broken
lives be healed
eyes be opened
Christ is revealed"
Hillsong - You'll Come


Twice in 2012 those lyrics washed over me.  Once in May when I wept for her, and once in September when I was reminded of His promise.

Her having a family was first priority, but once we realized it was us, hopes for her vision to be restored and/or preserved were high on the list as well.  We prayed continually through our wait that He would put His healing hand over her eye and protect her optic nerve from irreversable damage due to the uncontrolled pressure.

Finally the time came to meet her.  We wondered of course about many things, and at the forefront of that list was her vision.



What we observed when we met her, how close she got to things to study them, how she didn't seem to catch movement in dimly lit situations on her right side, how she seemed unsure of how to manuever in new surroundings...it was not exactly promising.

And yet by how carefully she studied photographs, toys, our faces, it was obvious that she could see.  


The question was, 'how much?'

Enter her amazing pediatric glaucoma specialist at Duke, Dr. F.


Natalie had her first check up on October 10.  That day we got a better picture of what she can...and can't...see.  I am going to admit that it was a mixed bag that day.

Natalie's left eye is functioning well.  There was a slight astigmatism, but with her new lenses ~ and yes, I know, could she be any cuter? ~ that eye serves her nicely.

Currently though, in her right eye, it appears that Natalie has light recognition, but that she sees very little to nothing.  It was heartbreaking to see her panic when her left eye was patched.  Watching her reaction made me feel claustrophobic, I can only imagine how scary it was for her to lose ability to see, if even for just a few minutes.


The news we are holding on to from that day is that Dr. F was able to do a quick ultrasound of the right eye.  While Natalie's optic nerve is severely 'cupped' due to the high pressure (right around 40 for those of you glaucoma parents), Dr. F said that at quick glance it did not appear that the damage is permanent.  In simple speak, she said there is a chance that relieving the pressure will allow the nerve to go back into place and that vision can possibly be regained.

yeah, are those glasses just the cutest ever?
So my baby girl has eye surgery on Friday (tomorrow).  After mulling over all the information we have available and lifting up many prayers, we've chosen to give Dr. F freedom to perform whichever type of surgery she feels will be most beneficial to Natalie's specific case once she begins the procedure and is able to assess her eye while under anesthesia.

Whatever the outcome, we know that Natalie's eyes will be opened, either with sight, or with a closeness to the one who created her just the way she is.

14 comments:

likeschocolate said...

Praying for miss Natalie and for the Dr. doing the work may it all go well!

Mommy2Kiran said...

I don't think there's a cuter little girl on the globe :)

Best of luck and our prayers for Nathalie and your family!

Love,

Hanna

Laurie said...

Sweet, sweet girl! Praying tomorrow goes as well as it possibly can!! Can I just tell you how much it makes me smile when I see her barrette placement in different pictures? It's the cutest thing EVER!! :)

Kathy said...

You just steal my heart Natalie! Prayers for you and Dr F tomorrow.
Love, Grandma M

Jennifer Taylor said...

Praying for tomorrow!

Heather said...

Praying for Natalie, Kristi!!!!

Anneli said...

Praying for sweet Natalie!

Blessings,
Anneli

Anonymous said...

I will be praying for your precious Natalie! She is so adorable and brave.:) Her glasses are so cute !

God Bless,
hollym.:)

Unknown said...

Been following your blog FOREVER... praying for your family & children for a long, long time. So it goes without saying Natalie's is in my prayers during surgery tomorrow.
May God grant you His peace; also guide the skills & minds of all attending His precious treasure.
Barbara Lyman
Marysville, WA

Courtney said...

Sending prayers your way. She look precious in her glasses.

Grandma Shultz said...

My precious, Natalie, may you be filled God's peace and tranquility tomorrow and the days to follow. I am trusting that you will have vision restored to your eye. God be with the M7. I love you.

Unknown said...

Praying praying praying!!!

Sally-Girl! said...

Prayerful for your sweet girl!!

Unknown said...

Prayers for all involved.

Mandy Tucker