Betsy's Surgery

Betsy's last eye patching day!

There will be no more patches for Miss Betsy:) On Tuesday, February 21 she had eye surgery to straighten both of her eyes. When we got Betsy's referral her special need was listed as Nystagmus of the left eye. After we got her, and took her to two different eye doctors, she was diagnosed with alternating esotropia which means both of her eyes turn in at alternating times. The first thing the eye specialist in Birmingham told us to do was to patch her left eye(which was actually the stonger eye, not the weaker as we first were told), so the vision in the right eye would be as strong as the left eye. We began patching her eye 2-3 hrs. a day. She did great with the patching. After a few months we went back to the doctor, and he said he could see improvement. He then wanted us to start patching her eye 4hrs. a day for another 30 days. When the 30 days were over we saw the doctor, and he said it was time to schedule surgery. We scheduled the procedure, and on February 21st went to UAB Children's Hospital South for an outpatient surgery. We didn't know what time we had to be there till the day before, and were hoping for early morning. I was worried Betsy would not make it very well without eating for a while...the girl loves to eat!;) We were told to be at the surgery center at 9:00am. We had about a 2 hour drive the morning of the surgery, so we left at about 6:40am. Betsy was great! She really didn't ask for food till much later in the morning, and when we told her she couldn't have anything because the doctor said she didn't need to eat she was fine. Betsy ended up being the last patient for Dr. Elsas, so they didn't come get her till about 11:45am! She was so good while we waited. We played cards, read a book, rode on lots of different toys around the hallway, and she played with her baby. About 30 minutes before they came to get her the nurse brought her some"don't care" medicine...that's what she called it! Just to help relax her, so she wouldn't be scared/nervous. She was hilarious after about 10-15 minutes:) When the nurse came to get her Todd carried her, and I walked with them to some double doors with monkeys swinging on trees eating bananas painted on them. She went right to the nurse just talking and bobbing her head around...so silly! After about an hour the doctor came in, told us all went well, and said she would be out of recovery in about 30 minutes. When the nurse rolled her in on her bed from the recovery room she was asleep sucking her thumb! She looked so sweet, but pitiful. Her eyes were swollen, and there were little drops of blood around her eyes, and on the bridge of her nose. I looked at her and tears filled my eyes. I was so thankful in that moment to know that everything went well, but most of all that she had a mommy and daddy to love and comfort her after this surgery. Although this was minor she felt really bad the rest of that day, and the next. I couldn't help but think of all the sweet children who will have major surgeries, but who don't have a mommy and daddy to hold them, love them, and tell them it will be ok. I am so thankful to God for allowing us to be Betsy's mommy and daddy:) Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!!

Daddy and Betsy after we arrived at the surgery center. Oh, and baby Lucy:)

Daddy giving Betsy help with "Go Fish".

Mommy and Betsy waiting for the nurse to come with her "don't care" medicine.

Betsy and baby Lucy.

This is Betsy about 10 min. after she got her medicine.

She's got the giggles now!!

One very "loopy" little girl;)

Sweet baby:) This is after Todd put her in the car to go home...she slept all the way.