laser

Audrey was back at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics for an eye exam under anesthesia yesterday. This appointment is one we had tried to accomplish for (embarrassingly enough) half a year, but each time the appointment would roll around Audrey would have a cold and the anesthesiologist wouldn't want to proceed. But we finally got it done.

We arrived at 6 in the morning, checked in and were taken down a floor to the suites where they prep patients for surgery. From previous appointments with her ophthalmologist, it was our understanding they would put our daughter under anesthesia, take her back to get a detailed look at her retinas and potentially sever the stalk that's currently in her left eye that covers up the best part of her retina--thus impeding her vision.

Audrey ended up having a new retina specialist this time that would be part of the team performing the exam. When we told him we were expecting the potential operation on the stalk, his response was that there was no way they were performing that procedure as it would require them to make an incision, remove the liquid/vitreous from her eye, etc. Essentially it would be a very intense procedure that was never in the books to happen this day. Today would merely be to get a good detailed look at the retina with the possibility of taking a laser to the periphery of her eye. Recent studies have shown that the growth of veins in the eye out toward the periphery can potentially cause individuals with retinal diseases to experience retinal detachment. In using the laser, the doctor would be welding the veins shut which would then inhibit future growth--essentially a preventative treatment.

We had several more nurses and doctors in and out checking vitals, gathering information, signatures... I felt like I answered the same questions at least 10 times each. It's all a little overwhelming for parents who had gotten up at 4 am that day and hadn't yet had a cup of coffee.

Then Dr. Drack came in. She's who we see typically and holds the backstory on Audrey's case. She asked us what we were anticipating happening today. We told her that we expected Audrey to go under and potentially having the laser treatment to the periphery of her eye. She then adds that if they see the opportunity to cut the stalk, that they'd do that with the laser while she was under.

Two doctors. Two completely different perspectives on what was going down when they go back in the OR. This is the 3rd or 4th time we've put Audrey under anesthesia...and every single time she undergoes one of these more intense exams we're always told they'll be doing something different than what we were previously told and prepared for. It honestly couldn't be more frustrating and scary as parents of a young child to be told conflicting information, but at the end of the day you have to trust that the professionals know what they're doing and they have your child's best interest in mind.

With hugs and kisses (and a few tears shed from me) she was wheeled away. 7:30 was her appointment. Around 9:30 we met with the retina specialist again in a consult room to review how it went. There was no good opportunity to cut the stalk--the risk of retinal detachment in that procedure outweighed the potential gain. His opinion was that he didn't feel that the stalk was negatively impacting her vision. They did, however, do a significant amount of laser treatment in her left eye and minimal in her right.

Like most new doctors we see, they always mention how rare her condition is. Hearing those words is scary in that we don't have cases to reference to know what to expect. And part of being so rare is a bit of a relief. Instead of being held to what other cases like hers have been, she gets to write her own story (and prove all the doctors wrong along the way, which I love!).

Recovery from anesthesia was tough. Since she couldn't open her eyes, I'm sure she was frightened by not being able to see where she was and that she couldn't see us. It was hard to console her and reassure her that she was ok and safe. We were transferred to a single room where we could rest and let her relax for a bit while we waited to be released to go home. And to top things off, on our way out just as we were approaching the walkway to the parking ramp, I got vomited on. After a quick clean up we were on our way home--me in the back holding her hand was the only way she would remain calm and comforted in her carseat.

Towards the end of the evening she was finally opening her eyes more which was reassuring for me. And a little Frozen "moofie" and snuggling did the trick to give her encouragement to try.

I tell you what, these appointments are tough but she once again proves she is one tough cookie. I couldn't be more proud to be her mama.