Happy Halloween!

Halloween is becoming like other holidays in that it becomes spread out over several days. This past Sunday night, our church held its annual "Trunk or Treat" where members decorate their cars and give out candy to kids. We decorated the Highlander like a pirate ship, since Seth was a pirate for Halloween. We had our candy in a "treasure chest" and we had skull and cross bone car flags on the windows. Seth walked around carrying a car flag and his "feathersword" saying "Argh!" Rob and I wore our "Arrrggghhh!!" T-shirts and purple and gold bandanas. On Halloween night, we took Seth trick or treating and he seems to have the hang of collecting goodies in his pumpkin. He did think that part of the trick or treating meant going into other people's houses, since we went in at the Thorns' and the Jetts'. Our neighborhood was full of costumed revelers this year--we had great weather for it as well. Happy Halloween and enjoy the pictures!

Fall Allergy Season and Flu Shots

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRANDON AND JULIE!
CONGRATULATIONS TO MATT AND PATRICE!
GET READY FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!

Fall allergy season is upon us, and what can we say, except to break out the inhaler! Yes, I have made the seasonal trip to the pharmacy to purchase my in-between-season staples, Claritin, Advil Cold and Sinus, and Tylenol Nighttime Sinus. We have also obtained new containers of Albuterol and Clarinex for Seth. It seems his "aggravated airway" has already been aggravated this year. It started with a runny nose and has now developed into a cough. I have gone from not knowing a lot about a child with asthma to actually knowing alot. Seth has not actually been diagnosed, but we continue to take preventative measures with his condition.

Seth and I both got flu shots today. Rob got his last week. I am fortunate in that our school system offers them free to employees. Unfortunately for Seth, he and I had to go and stand in line at the pediatric flu clinic. This is not fun for an almost 2 year old who weighs in excess of 30 pounds. We had to wait in a line of about 50-75 people (inlcuding other toddlers and school age kids) for about 30 minutes. I realize that this is not a terrible amount of time to wait, but it feels like 3 hours when you have a toddler. Seth does not like to hold our hands--we continue to work on that--so I had to hold him most of the time. Needless to say, I will probably not be able to move my arms tomorrow considering I got the flu shot and I had to hold him for so long. In the end, Seth was a trooper and hardly cried when he got the shot. He wouldn't have anything to do with the band-aid either. Hopefully our measures to keep us from getting sick will prove successful.

Eye Update

I went to the eye doctor yesterday and my vision is continuing to improve. In fact, I am 20/20 in my right eye WOO HOO! and 20/40 in my left eye. Because I am such a slow healer, the doctor wants to give my left eye ample time to continue healing, so I don't have another appointment for three weeks. He did say that there was the possibility that the laser did more than it was supposed to on my left eye (meaning it overcorrected). I have never been farsighted in my life! They also measured the thickness of my corneas to see if any swelling was keeping them from healing. I didn't get those results yesterday--I guess I will hear from them when I go back. The doctor did say there was a chance that my left eye could come around. The farsightedness had improved from my last visit. That is about all for now on my eyes--I continue to treat them with kid gloves.

Eye Surgery Update

I feel like I am still in a fog-Rob is doing this entry because it is still hard for me to focus on the computer screen.

Day of Surgery

On Wednesday, August 29, I had LASIK surgery. The surgery was not a walk in the park nor did I think it would be. But, even with two Valium I knew what was going on. The worst parts of the surgery were the thing they use to pry your eye open so you don't blink, the pressure in your eye and the sound of the laser on your eye (it sounds like a machine gun). My mom and Rob got to watch the surgery through a glass--they saw my eye magnified on a screen and what was being done to it.

Upon discharge, I was given a percocet and some Nicole Richie sunglasses. I never had any pain with this surgery. I had to wear the sunglasses until my followup appointment the next day. I also have three sets of drops to take four times a day and one drop every hour that I am awake. I slept a while that first day. My eyes were very matted together.

The Day After

I had heard of several people having this surgery and waking the next morning being able to see perfectly. As much as I wanted to be able to see my alarm clock Thursday morning, it didn't happen. I could see better than I could without my glasses, but it was nowhere near 20/20. I began to question my decision about this surgery but I didn't worry too much yet.

At my followup appointment, a girl was in the waiting room who had also had LASIK the day before. I asked her how her vision was and she said "perfect." After that conversation, I started to worry A LOT. The nurse called me back to the room and began to screen my eyes and I couldn't read hardly anything. She went out and I told my mom, "This does not look good."

When the doctor came in, he examined my eyes and said my flaps looked great and they were the biggest concern. He said the reason I was not able to see immediately was because I had a genetic defect in the outer layers of my eyes. The outside layer is the layer that has to be scraped away before the corneal cut is made. My outer layer is very thin and would ordinarily regenerate quickly after surgery. Mine is regenerating slowly, delaying my ability to see clearly. My doctor assured me that I would see clearer by the weekend, and scheduled me an appointment for Tuesday.

Friday

I planned on going to school today, but I can't see to drive, I can't look at the computer and I can't read fine print. I am able to read captions off of the television though and colors appear more vivid. I do have some blood in my right eye, which makes my vision cloudy. My vision has improved significantly--I can't believe I am seeing this well without glasses or contacts.

Saturday

I am very impatient and am so ready to be able to read a book and get back on a computer, but I know it will strain my eyes. I cannot touch my eyes, so I have three days worth of sleep in my eyes. I think the drops have helped wash some of that away. My eyes are very tired, but my vision is getting better each day. Today I am able to read small print for small intervals. I am planning to be back at school on Tuesday even if I have to have a chauffeur.

Thank you to everyone for their well wishes and prayers. They were felt and helped me to get through the surgery and the recovery. I will keep you posted.

My Last Week As a Four Eyes (For a While)

Wow...the countdown is on. In less than a week, I hope to be glassesless (is that a word?) and contact lensless. I am getting a little nervous. I have had surgery before, but not when I have my eyes open and can see what is going on. Oh well, the C-Section but I couldn't see what they were doing! I am excited to be able to see without the dependency of my glasses. It will probably be tough for a few days though because I have worn glasses since I was about 10 years old! It will be different being able to put on makeup and actually see what I am doing without the magnification mirror. I will be able to swim at the beach and actually see where our beach cottage is! I won't have to worry about getting water in my eyes like I do with contacts. I am looking so forward to being able to see with my renewed eyes!