Updates on my health
March/April
3/22/03 It's been a while since I updated you on my progress! Sorry...I've been busy playing and getting chunky! It's a hard life! Well, to begin with, I had another eye exam at the end of February. My nearsightedness did get worse. It is now (-8.5). However, the doctor thought the difference wasn't significant enough to warrant new glasses at that time. My next eye exam is Thursday, April 10th. My whole family and my church are praying for my eyes. I am doing great overall, but the nearsightedness could get markedly worse. There are also many potential problems that could still occur, but so far things are going pretty well.
Some new things about me....first of all, I weigh more than 16 pounds now! Nobody can believe that I was a preemie because I look so healthy! My mommy and daddy say that I used to be a really fussy baby, but a few weeks ago I transformed into a very happy and easy baby. I started sleeping through the night, I can roll over from my tummy to my back, and I know how to blow bubbles with the drool coming out of my mouth! I know that these things may sound like no big deal, but these are all signs that I am growing up! The biggest news of all is that I am allowed to go out of the house now! It's been great! I started going to church regularly which I love! Things are going pretty well for me right now. Thank you for all your prayers. My mommy and daddy always say that it's because of people's prayers that I am doing so well. God is very good! For those of you who have been following my eye exams, I'll be sure to update the website after the next exam in a couple of weeks. God bless you!
3/31/03 I have another
prayer request...a couple of weeks ago I had an episode where I began to wince
as if something was going to hit me in the face. My mommy and daddy said
that it seemed like my movements were involuntary because nothing external
seemed to trigger it. I did it repeatedly for about 15 minutes. They
tried not to worry, but because I did it again a few days later they decided to
take me to the doctor. The doctor wants me to see a pediatric neurologist
to check to see if these movements are brain related. I'm also going to
see the eye doctor next week because it may also be eye related. This
Friday I will be going to the hospital to get an EEG (electroencephalogram)
done. These results will be given to my pediatrician and a neurologist.
From what I understand, they will be checking for any abnormalities with my
brain wave patterns. After the results are studied, then I will probably
meet with a pediatric neurologist. Hopefully, the results will be normal
and I will not have any more of those weird episodes again. Also, we are
hoping that my eyes are okay and that I am not seeing anything that would cause
me to wince involuntarily. Once again, we are trusting that God is in
control and that He will heal whatever problems that I am having. Thanks
for your prayers, I really need them.
4/21/03 Some
good news! The EEG results came back normal! Praise GOD! I will
probably see a pediatric neurologist soon just to be safe, but I haven't had the
weird movements since last month. Also
at my eye exam, the doctor said that my eyes haven't changed much since the last
visit. The nearsightedness is still in the -8 range, and he expects it to get
worse by the time I go to the doctor again in two months. Thankfully, my
retinas look good and there is no sign of detachment. My macula
(definition at the bottom of the page) in my right eye is very, very close to
the lasered area of my retina. This is not a huge concern unless it pulls
into the lasered region which may cause blurred vision. The doctor is very
happy with my progress and he is also very happy that I use both eyes well and
show no signs of lazy eye or crossed eyes. Thank you for all your prayers!
I am a living testimony of God's
faithfulness through people's prayers!
I got baptized yesterday at church along with 4 other babies in our congregation! I was really good, and I didn't cry at all (during the baptism part, at least). I am now 17 pounds and growing heavier by the day (according to my mommy)! I'll keep you updated on any new events (hopefully all good). Take care!
The macula
is located roughly in the center of the retina, temporal to the optic nerve.
It is a small and highly sensitive part of the retina responsible for detailed
central vision. The fovea is the very center of the macula. The
macula allows us to appreciate detail and perform tasks that require central
vision such reading.