Good News … Not So Much
Pic of the Day ~ Mommy & Becca
I know all my readers get that Becca is my life. I love that little girl so much there are times I feel like my heart will explode. I would die for her. I would take any pain that she could have and times it by 100 if I could. I love my husband, however I had no idea when we created this little being how much she would mean to me.
Becca will more than likely be going for eye surgery in September. It breaks my heart that she has to go through this pain, however I am aware that it needs to be done. Most of the cosmetic “eye crossing” has been dealt with through the eye patching and glasses therapy. We have been very committed to all types of therapy, hoping beyond hope that our darling would be one of the lucky ones not to need eye surgery. Sadly the neurological and vision centers in the brain are at risk if we do not take action now. Becca is experiencing issues with depth perception and her eyes are not quite working together. Research has shown that if corrective surgery is done around the age of two, there is better success. Now is the time to take care of this for Becca.
Obviously there are risks, like any surgery. Although the doctor we are seeing now really is the top of her field and we could not get better anywhere really (thankfully we are not approaching this with the LAST eye doctor we had). There is a remote possibility that over the next 6 weeks, the eye doctor will see an improvement in Becca’s vision processes that will allow us to avoid the eye surgery. It is difficult since this doctor was not the one that initially began eye therapy with Becca and the therapy that we were doing was extreme and not the path she would have taken. Therefore, any progress or lack of progress that Becca is displaying is not typical for the eye doctors patients. However, this eye doctor is a leading eye doctor at a teaching hospital, that has written text books, so we figure she probably knows what she is seeing and the decision is a sound one.
I know I am going on a bit about it here. I am still processing this, and I am taking the initial news pretty hard. I am self-centered in thinking my child is unique in this situation and that this day procedure is earth shattering news. I know there are so many children out there in way worse situations, needing heart surgery, dealing with cancer … yet I am not in THAT situation, I am in ours. I am wallowing in the idea that I just signed consent for someone to take my baby, put her under anesthia, cut her eye muscles and stitch them in a new location. This will cause her pain. Yada Yada Yada about the long run and the neurological damage if we do not do it. I know we have to do it. I do not have to like that we have to do it.
On to way happier, toot my own horn, news …. *insert drum roll* I have been honoured at the Toddler Blog at Our Smart Baby and we are the … Top Toddler Mom Blog #5: Chelle!
Please head over there and see what I say in my interview about YOU! Yes YOU! My uber cool, always there for me, virtual hugging readers (and our family!) Thank you very much to the ladies at Our Smart Baby Toddler Blog for the honour.
I’m sorry you didn’t receive the news you were hoping to get at this appointment and that it looks like Becca will need surgery after all. It is ok to feel frustrated and upset and the way you do - this is YOUR child you’re talking about, so even though there other more “serious” surgeries out there - this is still huge to you and Becca and J and your life!
I completely understand how you feel though. Kayla had blocked tear ducts and needed a probing in each eye to clear them. I hated putting her through this. They had to wrap her papoose style to keep her still after we left the room. I could hear her screaming; she hates being restricted…didn’t know where her parents room or why they abandoned her to to these strangers…it was awful.
Then we have her upcoming cardiac catheterization on Thur. I know it’s not open heart surgery…it’s not even surgery because they don’t cut into her. But it’s still a procedure, I’m stressed, nervous, etc…oops sorry - didn’t mean to make my comment so long…just wanted to let you know you’re not alone
Congrats on being selected! What an honor! I’m heading over there now
I am sorry to hear about the surgery and i totally know what you mean about wanting to take the pain on behalf of your child. It is only since I became a Mum that I understand what my Mum must have been through when I was a kid with numerous operations and hospitalisations with asthma attacks etc.. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that there is some miracle improvement that avoids surgery and will be sending cyber hugs and prayers either way!!
Congrats on the toddler blog honour!
*Hug* to you for sharing your thoughts & fear about Becca’s ops with us. No matter how minor the surgery as compared to others, as mommies, we will not stop worrying. Just know that it’s for her benefit and you should be reassured.
Btw, congrates on the “award”
Yikes - I remember the day when I heard that Julia had to get tubes. Luckily for me it was an extremely common surgery - and a very short one.
I’ll pray for comfort and strength for you and I’ll pray for quick recovery and instant healing for Becca.
Keep up the good blogging - yours is always so much fun to read, and I honestly do look forward to the daily picture. This one of you and her together is VERY cute!
You and J are doing what’s right for Becca. When she is older she will be so grateful. ((hugs))
Once again today, I am crying! I understand how you feel about putting ‘your baby’ in someone else’s hands. It’s a hurt that no one should go through. That being said, I’d like to be positive here (my husband would tip over if he ever actually heard me say that) This is a surgery that will enable her to grow and lead a productive life. It is only helping her…if she needs it. Your decision to go through with the procedure is a sound one and you should be prod for making it. She is (as you already know) a gorgeous little lady and as someone who wears glasses, I happen to love her in them as well…But it’s not a style concern, it’s a health issue and it must be done if there’s no improvement. I pray that you hear what you want to hear in the next few weeks. I also have seen a few of my previous (preschool) students go through this exact operation (they are all in college now). Hugs to you and your beautiful girl.
In the hospital where I work, we have a high rate of success for this type of surgery so you need not worry. Lift all your concerns to God and He will take care of it.
Will pray for Becca.
(((Hugs))to all of you!
Chelle I can feel your pain as you write this blog entry. I am so sorry that it has come to this. Becca is a strong and determined young lady and she will come out fine.
Your the best Mom & you are doing what is best for here!
CONGRATS on the entry at Our Smart Baby! YAY!!!
Oh, that sucks. You are of course doing the right thing but I can only imagine how you both must feel.
Congrats on the honour!!
I know it must have been hard setting that pen on the consent for and making yourself sign it. Eyesight is so important. I think you are doing the best thing you can given the circumstances
aw sweetie I’m so sorry to hear this. And you are right about this being your situation. You can’t compare your situation to those of others. If this is a devastating experience for you, than it is just that! I get so mad at people when they say to me “You know, other people have it much worse”. I always say, “I know that, but my tragedies are my tragedies, and who else has the right to say how I should handle it?”
So give yourself permission to be as upset and devestated as you want. But just know that we are all here praying for you and keeping you in our thoughts.
I’m really sorry, too, to hear about the surgery and I’d want to take the pain on behalf of my child as well. I will be praying for Becca (and your family) as you go through this.
Congrats on the award. I’ll go check it out.
Oh No! I totally understand what you’re going through. You never ever want to see you baby suffer or go through any pain. I cannot imagine how you’re feeling right now, knowing that surgery is probably inevitable, and specially on the eye too. I’m glad you at least feel confident with this new doctor.
I’m so sorry that you all will have to endure surgery but from what you’ve said, it really does seem to be the best thing for her… and it is absolutely understandable for you to be upset and “wallowing”… I would be too.
(((HUGS)))
[...] My baby’s eye muscles do not have to be snipped and sewn on in a different place!!!! To say I am relieved is an understatement. I have already set up a trip to the LA County Fair during what would have been her recovery time! I so so so did not expect this. The doctor had mentioned last time there was a slight chance that Becca’s eyes would improve to the point that surgery would not be needed. However, I never ever thought that would come true. I was so prepared emotionally to see Becca through this. Now we can take a big breath, release all that energy and just enjoy the end of the summer. Oh and our blackout dates for Disneyland …. over!!!! Happy Happy Day …. *off to dance and read blogs … * Filed under: Becca, California Living — Tags: toddler, eye specialist, eye surgery, strabismus, || || [...]