This visit was scheduled. This visit, I expected that they would tell me that the timolol eye drops weren't working, Tommy's pressures were high, and they wanted to change him back to the study drug he had been on, travaprost. I was wrong. (I hate being wrong) I was ecstatic that they told me his pressure in his bad eye was 18. Yay! Timolol is working!
The appointment didn't start out well. Tommy wasn't cooperating with the eye tests... or so I thought. He wouldn't tell the new resident what the pictures were. I thought he was being a pipsqueak- he couldn't even see the pics at 20/200. Then she asked him to take his patch off... and he could name every picture down to 20/20. Good news? His vision in his right eye is 20/20. Bad news? His eyesight is changing- getting more nearsighted. He needs new glasses. Again.
That wasn't the real bad news. At this visit they told us that it was time to do the muscle surgery to correct his esotropia. This shouldn't have been a surprise- I knew his eye turned in (and a little up). I know the doc's been keeping an eye on it. I knew it was coming. It still hit me hard. Tommy is still so little- but big enough now that he gets it. He won't understand WHY he will feel like crap or puke his guts out or WHY his eye is red and will have red tears and probably hurts. But he can tell me. He'll know that I drove him to the hospital and gave him to the nurse. Don't get me wrong. I know he needs this, I know it is in his best interest, and I don't have second thoughts. I firmly believe in doing everything we can to save his sight. I just wish he didn't have to go through it.
I had these surgeries when I was little (just regular strabismus type stuff- no cataract). I had multiple (I think my mom says I had 7 between the 2 eyes). I had them back in the day when it wasn't out patient, back before they had good anti-nausea medications. I remember some of them I remember feeling sick and throwing up over and over. I remember not being able to swim for weeks- and it was ALWAYS in summer. (I was older when I had the last ones done- my last was at 9 or 10 years old) I know things have changed. The medical community has focused a lot on preventing nausea and vomiting for this type of surgery. It's now outpatient. I know it is a standard procedure. But I want to know more. I want to know when he will feel normal. I want to know how I should tell him and when. I want to know how to make his 3 older sisters not freak out when they see him with bloody tears for the first time. I want to know exactly how many surgeries it will take.
These questions can't really be answered. I'll do my best to focus the next post on what it is really like- and I will post pictures so you all know what to expect if you ever go through it.
If it makes you feel any better, Julia has had this surgery twice and didn't have bloody tears! So maybe you will be lucky and avoid that side effect. Sucks to have surgery, especially now that he his old enough to semi-understand. But so glad his pressures are okay. What a relief. I'll be thinking of you on Friday (as will all the other iMoms).
ReplyDeleteGreat blog!! Thanks for sharing with us,this will really help people who are planing for eye surgery..Will share in all my social networking sites..
ReplyDeleteCataract laser Surgery
Very brave little boy for taking an eye surgery. You know what Tommy I had an eye surgery too because I had a cataract that makes me almost blind. I am not brave like you at first but because of the good assistance of the doctor I overcome my fear. I am so coward that time but I need to face my fear because I want to be well, I want to have back my clear vision. Good luck to you Tommy. God Bless always and I am hoping for your wellness soon.
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ReplyDeletenice Another Eye Surgery
ReplyDeletesurgery
It seems that Tommy was very brave throughout this encounter. It’s great that his eyesight is improving bit by bit. Anyway, how are things doing now? Did his new glasses improve his eyesight more? Thanks for sharing this with us. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteDoris Gibbs @ Moody Eyes
I am a widower supporting a little angel of 12 years through this. Tommy is living proof that children can find the strength within them to overcome, sometimes even more than adults. My Tammy, only six years old during her first operation, came back from the OR and held my hand and told me "Daddy, it'll be okay." I cannot answer all your questions, but I can say that there is truth in what Tammy said. It will all be okay.
ReplyDeleteLucius Calhoun @ Bolton Vision Centre
You have such a brave little boy and you must be so proud of him and his strength throughout all of this. My daughter, 6 in August, is facing laser surgery to correct her left eye and after I showed her Tommy's story she has decided she can be brave enough. I know it's hard but you're doing a wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteJamaal @ Eye Clinic London