Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Eye appointment updates

Hi Friends,


I was reflecting on last year as I mistakenly posted a recent post (that I had started in Dec) in '08 instead of '09.  I had to go back to find it and was surprised to find that a year ago I was doing the same thing, almost to the day.  I was taking three children - and the same three - to an eye appointment. 


It seems like so much of last year was one of fears, changes, and difficulties.  So many things happened and I found myself clinging to God - the only thing that wasn't changing in my life.  After going through the roughest part of the year, I thought that dealing with just one more thing was just more than I wanted at the time.  I find though that the best part of trials, fears and challenges are that they cause me to run to God.  To cling to Him and spend time just resting in His arms.  One of the benefits of being housebound and tied to pumps for months after Eliana was born is that it gave me a lot of time to rest in Him.  (Though I truly got no REST in a physical sense.  lol)


Well, now I'm finding that things are stable.  There is still work, but none of the staggering difficulties and in a way it is hard on me as I find myself trying to do it all on my own.  Why do I do this?  Haven't I learned this lesson?  My times with God have been too short and disrupted and I need to find a better way of spending time with Him.  I want to cling to His faithful presence.  I want His goodness and peace to fill my heart.  I want to be like Him.  It's scary to say that though.  I understand in a different way now what it takes to be more conformed to His image and it's hard.  It often hurts.  It is good though because He is good.  Thank you God for being faithful, even when I'm not.


Today went pretty well.  Eliana had to have her eyes dialated - which she did not like (and we knew it).  When it was her time for the check-up, she did NOT want anything close to her face.  She was sitting on my lap and I held both of her arms and tried to hold her face still.  She was mad and crying and raising a real fuss!  At one point the Dr called in some others to help distract (Joshua had been doing his best).  They weren't better than Joshua though.  She still fussed.  Well, she got a decent look.  Her optic nerve looks a little unusual, but not in the same way as Daniel's did.  This is unusual, but in an acceptable manner.  The end result - she is waiting on glasses and wants to monitor her.  We'll go back in 6 months. 


Well, unlike last year,  (See this post ) I was really prepared for her to get glasses this time.  I guess it will wait though and I'm not disappointed.  I think it will be a challenge for her to keep them on - though I would love to be wrong.


Both of the boys did great.  Isaiah's eyes look great and are 20/20 with his glasses.  Joshua is holding and was thrilled that he doesn't have to wear the permanent patch now.  (If you look at his pic, you'll notice that his right eye glass looks fuzzy - that is his patch.)  He has to wear it for 10 to 30 minutes per day while reading.  That is doable, we just need to remember.


As we were leaving one of the nurses commented on Eliana's personality being joyful.  I agreed.  One of the other nurses begged to differ having seen another side of her.  Hmph!  She was one that helped when Eliana was fussing.  I defended her (why did this make me feel defensive?).  I commented that she had endured a lot of poking, prodding and hurtful things and it was now hard for her to be at the doctor's office.  (It's true.)  The part I didn't mention was that she is also incredibly forgiving.  She moves past a hurt and forgives - maybe even forgets? - in a way that is so beautiful to me.  She is an incredible example to me of this.  I want to be more like her.


Thank you God - for your faithfulness, for your gifts that sometimes come in unexpected ways and for loving me always.


Blessings,



Leslie


4 comments:

  1. So glad their eyes are staying the same and Eliana is still without glasses! (Now I am second guessing myself about reading that right).


    I want Homeschool Tracker Plus because there are a few forms I like that are only available with the plus edition and apparently you can easily move blocks of assignments rather than moving them one by one.

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  2. Glad the appointments went well, save Eliana's unhappiness (who can blame her??). And waiting on glasses is nice (unless of course she really needed them) so I'm glad you get to wait a little longer. I've found that if they really need them, they seem to leave them on. That's Braska's case, and it's been the deal with a few other friends too. But hey...one less thing to deal with for now...woo hoo!

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  3. Hey Leslie,


    While reading your post, it reminded me of a Bible verse that I am using as my "theme" for the New Year. I thought you would love it, too.


    "You will keep in

    Perfect Peace

    ALL

    Who Trust in You,

    ALL

    Whose Thoughts are Fixed on You!"

    Isaiah 26:3


    I love the idea of "Perfect" Peace. If only I can remember the keys to having it...

    1. Trusting completely in God and His plan

    2. Fixing my Thoughts on Him


    It sounds really easy...but why is it so hard? Why do doubts shadow our trust and our thoughts run in every direction but towards the One who knows our whole story...? Thanks for sharing your story with us!


    I'm praying for a blessed year for your family.


    Love, Cyndi

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  4. Sheri - I reread that and it was confusing wasn't it?! You are right - no glasses for Eliana for now. Perhaps in the future, but not for at least another 6 months.


    RK - I totally agree. Mine that have really needed them have done much better with wearing them. I'm thinking that because her eyes aren't at that stage, that it would just be a struggle for now. Actually as I thought about her getting glasses, I often thought of Braska. She is soooo cute in her glasses and has done so well with them that it gives me hope!


    Cyndi - I loved what you shared! Thank you! I think that is a wonderful goal for the year. And yes, I wish it were as easy as it sounded. Praying God would bless you as you seek Him and the perfect peace that goes with that!


    Love you friends,

    Leslie

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