Eye-O Eye-O

Well: Nate sent this e-mail out to a few people, but not everyone who I know : ) I thought some of you might find it interesting... although honestly I have no clue who reads this page. It could just be my Mom, or maybe I have a stalker : )

Nate's e-mail from last week:

Some of you have already heard about Steph and her vision. We received a sobering report on Monday that left us with about 4 options. But first here is what is going on. About 2 years ago, Steph's vision suddenly became blurry in her left eye. If she looked directly at you from 10 feet away your head would be blurry (same affect as putting a dime in front of your eye and looking out). She went to a retina specialist who determined there was an irreversible retina scar. They continued to monitor the scar over the next year. The doctor recommended that she go in for yearly check-ups. Unfortunately we changed insurance companies, and it took about a year and a half to get in to see a new retina specialists. This specialist again said to monitor it and come back in 6 months. However, within two months there was a stark change in vision. If you stand 5 feet away, she could hardly see you with her left eye. This brings us to Monday. On Monday the doc showed us pictures and explained what was happening. The scar is still the same size but blood vessels have ruptured behind it. The blood has a similar affect as a scar, it blocks your vision. The photos show a circular scar and a dark spot (blood) around it. The effect of the blood has been to replace the dime with a quarter. She is legally blind in her left eye. The blood has potential to rescind, leaving only the original scar. It also has the capaiblity of expanding the scar if not removed. This brings us to the choices that must be made. 1) We can wait and pray the blood dissipates. The risk is that an irreversible scar will be left. If the blood disappears, Steph's vision could be back to what it was 3 months ago. 2) Hot Laser Surgery. Unfortunately it's not like lasik. After the surgery, Steph would have to stay in doors with no real sunlight for 5 days (the Dr. explained this as living like a vampire). This approach would seal the broken blood vessels with the hope the blood would disappear. There isn't a large chance that her vision would improve. 3) Cold Laser Surgery. This one caterizes the retina expanding the scar. The purpose is to ensure the vision does not become worse. Since it really can't get worse, this is probably the easiest choice to eliminate. 4) Eye Injections. These potentially offer the most hope and certainly the most risk. There are different drugs, both have been on the market less than 2 years so there is very little data about them. The one that appears to be most effective has been on the market for 3 months. These drugs have the ability to actually bring steph's vision back to what it was 3 months ago, but the odds are 20%. There is an extremely small chance that Steph's eye could be infected and all vision lost. Although it typically takes 1 -2 injections, there could be a lot more. I don't know about you guys but the mere thought of having something injected into my eye scares me. And it is not something I even have to worry about!So in the end, we really need prayer. Especially for Steph. The two best eye clinics in the US are located within 50 miles of us. Unfortunately, Johns Hopkins has rejected seeing her because she is too young for any of their studies. We are trying to get an appointment with the National Eye Institute. Pray this will come through. It would provide a second opinion but also one more test that could potentially lead to a better option. Pray for strength that Steph will stay strong emotionally and not fall into self pity (even though she has the right to feel that way). Most of all pray for wisdom in a making a decision. One will have to be made in the next few weeks. We do have some praises though. Our insurance, even though we've hated them in the past, is amazing in this situation. No matter what is decided, we only pay a $25 co pay. The eye injections cost most people 2k/shot. Also, this is not macular degenerative disease. Steph's other eye will not be affect in the future by the current condition. Also, sad news for would be grandparents and great grandparents, it has been recommended that we don't have kids until this is over due to the associated drugs. Not that we were planning on them but one more reason for fervent prayer that healing will come quickly.

Update: Today we got home from a nice dinner with Jeff and Abby and lo and behold there was a FedEx package in the door. I have an eye appointment at NEI (NIH) at 8:00am, 11/22/06!!!! Yay!!!!!!! Thank you for praying for me, and thinking of me at this time! As I said to Jeff and Abby tonight, I think most of the time I avoid thinking about it. Kind-of like the alcoholic in denial. Not a good thing I'm sure, but I've managed to stay happy!

Please pray for me on the 22nd! And for the doctors playing around with my eyes. It's not the most fun of appointments. I think worse than the dentist. They inject ink in my arm and take weird pictures of my eyes. Then the room turns colors and blurry... oh the fun of it all!!!