Encouraged

David had his exam this past Monday as scheduled. It was a little more encouraging than the past few have been.

The Doc found some remaining spots, but he really felt that these were old spots and not new ones that had formed since the last exam. He did some fairly extensive cryotherapy on these which also included a small incision so that he could get a better angle on the spots with the probe. We don't have to go back for 4 weeks this time, so that will be a nice break for us as well.

David did spectacularly as normal. We had to wait 3 hours for them to come and get him for surgery becuase the opperating schedule had been backed up for some reason. He didn't fuss or cry, but just played happily with Rob and I until they were ready for him.

He has been in a significant amount more pain this time, though. Yesterday was a very rough day for him, and he was very fussy and refusing of naps. His eye has had a lot of discharge this time too. Overall, he has been bothered more by the surgery (not surprising). He rubs his eye alot, and I have to be sure to get the ointment in it so that he doesn't get an infection. This takes all my strength, and even then, I think I miss most of the time. But I am trying. It will be nice for David that his eye will have one extra week to heal before we have to go back in, though.

Last night was a tough night. David didn't sleep much, and even when he did, it was restless. Today, overall, he has done better than yesterday, so we are hoping for a better night tonight.

That is all for now, but we do thank you again and again for all your prayers. They are so dear to us.

-Kim

Next

It has been difficult for me to find enough time to sit and write lately. I appologize.

David's next exam will be this coming Monday, April 21. I dread this one a little more than usual. David didn't do quite as well coming out from anesthesia last time as he normally does. He was much fussier, and very sleepy all day long. I am hoping that it was just a one time deal and that he goes back to his quick wake up next time.

He has healed quite well from the last cryo. His eye is just slightly bloodshot still, but other than that, you wouldn't know that he'd had anything done. He is such a happy boy. His newest trick of the last few days is standing without holding on to anything. He even lurches forward from that position like he is going to walk. So far, it hasn't worked out so well, but it will be soon! He is quickly learning his way around table food, and seems to enjoy that. I am glad for this since it allows others to get in on the feeding action, and gives me a little bit of a break.

Well, the crying I hear tells me that it is nap time, and I must go. Thanks for keeping up with us. We appreciate you all.

-Kim

Puffy

On very short notice, David had another EUA yesterday. The doctor found another spot, smaller than the ones last time, but this one didn't have as much time to grow as the last ones. He did a little more cryotherapy, so David has a puffy eye again.

We are supposed to go back in 3 weeks for another exam, possibly more cryotherapy.

The anesthesia seemed to effect David more this time than it ever has before. He was extremely groggy all afternoon, and it took quite an effort for me to get him to drink anything. Eventually, he took some milk and then started to perk up.

The doctor has pretty much let us know that this cryotherapy is the last ditch effort before removal of the eye. He said that we will "cryo until we can cryo no more", and then we will have to think of the next step.

I would love for David to be able to keep his eye since it would look much better than any prosthetic that they can produce, but more than that, my prayer is that his left eye will continue to stay healthy. I pray that there will never even be the hint of a tumor in that eye.

That is where we are for now. I am tired since we had to get up at 4:30am yesterday morning and it was a long day, but I think I am in good spirits.

Talk to you again soon,
-Kim