Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Eye Exam: 10am Thursday


I'll be meeting with the eye doctor (I know there's a medical term, but it's late) tomorrow (March 27) at 10am as she gives Gwyneth another exam. If things aren't any better with her Retinopathy of Prematurity, she'll probably undergo a laser eye treatment on both eyes following the exam.

This is a fairly common occurrence with micro-preemies, and by far, not the most horrible thing that could be going on with Gwyneth right now, so we are not worried. The laser surgery is slightly uncomfortable, but she will be sedated and will be feeling fine shortly after.

Whether everything looks good at the exam, or the laser eye treatment takes care of the problem, we know it's all in God's hands.

We appreciate your thoughts and prayers concerning this.

And, Gwyneth has gained a few ounces in the past few days, which is awesome news!

Thanks!

Nate

58 comments:

Jenn said...

Praying you have great results from the eye exam!!
~Jenn

Unknown said...

I hope the eye exam goes well. she is such a cutie!

Rick Lawrenson said...

Praying here!
(Ophthamologist, I think.)

Barbara Metcalf Bella Vista, Arkansas said...

I'm praying for sweet Gwyneth's eyes, and that the exam goes well. Hurray for weight gain. A few ounces in a few days is great!

Anonymous said...

Yes, I'm praying too. Yay Gwyneth on the weight gain!

Love my boys! said...

She looks fantastic! I will pray that all goes well tomorrow with the eye doctor. She's going to "wow" the pants off of that doctor! Continuing with our prayers!

Catherine Midgett Christiansen

Cara said...

She looks like she's saying "No more pictures, Dadddd!" :)

Still praying for ya'll!

Kristi said...

I'll be praying that the eye exam goes well tomorrow. Just wanted to share a personal experience, our girl triplet (Rowan) had stage 3 ROP and she had the laser eye surgery done, and she did wonderfully. :) Her eyes were a little red for the next few days, but other than that it didn't seem to bother her.

Love the newest pic of Gwyneth, she is so adorable. :) And I was totally cracking up at the video of your hair cut. Thanks for the laugh tonight!

Tracy P. said...

Look at that! She already knows "So Big!" And thank God that she IS getting bigger--we'll pray for her eyes.

Amy Lynn said...

Praying over here for Baby Gweneth's exam tomorrow morning.

That is wonderful that she is gaining weight. :)

Blessings!
Amy in Oregon

Colleen, Katie and Maddie's Mom said...

Praying for good news tomorrow!

Who taught Gwyneth "So Big!"? She sure is a smart little girl!

Mathematical Mama said...

I hope her eye exam goes well. Awesome news on the weight gaining!!

Tarasview said...

I'll pray. I love that picture of her! What a sweetie pie!

Alicia said...

Marked it on my calendar and will be praying for your pretty baby tomorrow morning.

Katy said...

Praying for her cute little eyes, and praising the weight gain- I love this picture-so expressive!! (Is it her reaction to Daddy's new haircut?) Just curious.

Paige Hinrichs said...

Praying for Gwyneth's eyes! She's a beauty.

purple_kangaroo said...

Beautiful. I'm praying for her eyes and ears.

Gizela said...

Hope that all went well!
My whole bible study group is praying for you too.
Have a blessed day!

Sylvie said...

I'm praying that everything goes well.
Blessings,

Jill in Raleigh said...

This is the cutest picture yet! Praying for your darling daughter today.

marcia said...

"Don't just take my picture, Daddy! I love doing that Kangaroo thing! I'm trying to tell you that, by gaining weight, so get a clue! Parents!" (rolls beautiful eyes that this Grandma is praying for!)

Mary said...

I'll be praying for Gwyneth today. (Thursday) And for you and Tricia. Hope you have a wonderful, blessed day.

Mary
Florida

Anonymous said...

Hallelujah for the weight gain!
"Ophthalmologist" is the correct title for a medical doctor specializing in the eyes.

Just to share - my husband has had several laser surgeries for retinopathy. His is due to complications of diabetes. I actually got to sit in on the surgeries and look at his retina and see all the bleeds.

His vision was a little blurry after, but he experienced no discomfort.

kidsworld said...

She seems a bit skeptical of the daddy with the short hair...she's thinking he LOOKS familiar and it SOUNDS like him, but the cat that sits on his head is gone...

Maybe they could feed her carrots in her milk??? Or maybe find a mom donor who has eaten an abundance of them??? (all in good humor, of course!)

Praying for Gwyneth's eyes, tummy and her mommy this morning.

refreshing in ohio

Catherine said...

Praying for Gwyneth today and that all goes well.

Great news about the weight gain!! Praising the Lord for each little step in her journey.

Em said...

Good Luck Gwyneth!!!! ((((((( HUGS )))))))

Alicia said...

That's great to hear about Gwyneth's weight gain!

Meredith K Beaupre said...

praying for a good eye report! That picture is definitely at the top of the favorites list!!

Mandi said...

I love this picture...it looks like she's saying "Pick me up!"

Sending good thoughts for the eye exam today :)

Anonymous said...

Look at her! She is looking like a big girl these days!! We will be praying this morning for her exam. So wonderful to hear she is gaining weight :-)

Anxious AF said...

Love the picture, praying for her eyes.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

I'll be praying.

Cute picture of Gwyneth... and it does look like she's filled out a wee bit... ever ounce helps. :)

Rebecca

Christy said...

Prayers for Gwyneth this morning. She just amazes me.
Christy in KY

JonesChronicles said...

Oh, Gwyneth, are you holding out your arms for ME to pick you up? I'm flattered...and honored...and I'd love to, of course, but I live in Texas and am not an approved kangaroo. Love to you!

Ellen said...

I LOVE this picture! It looks like Gwyneth is participating in the wave - what a cutie! Praying for her eyes today and continued weight gain.

Shannon said...

I check in everyday on your progress and am praying faithfully. My 23 week preemie had ROP. He had the laser surgery and two additional fill-ins because his retinas were detaching. Praise God he can see! Check him out with his glasses now at 3 years old.
http://www.caringbridge.org/nc/loganbunn Gwyneth is doing amazingly well. She is a strong little miracle. We were in the NICU for 6 1/2 months. Each day is full of highs and lows but as you know God is in Control!

Andria said...

I'm thinking about you guys today!

Shelley said...

For some reason I read (twice) that the doctor was going to REMOVE Gwenyth's eyes! I had to reread it a third time to understand it correctly. Maybe I'm not getting enough sleep :)

I am thrilled about the weight gain. The picture is awesome! My thoughts and prayers are with you everyday!

Shelley (in Mich)

Anonymous said...

Your baby is the CUTEST thing!
Praying hard for you guys!

Caroline Cordle said...

Praying for you ( I reckon it will be soon with my time zone difference?)...it's amazing what they can do now, at such an early age!
x

Rebekah Hubley said...

I have read your blog for a couple months, and I love it! You are a true witness to our Lord and Savior! Is Gweneth seeing Dr. Cynthia Toth? My oldest, Hannah is 7, and she was born with both retinas detached. She was not a premie, 9lbs. 2 oz. We flew to Duke when she was 3 weeks old, and spent a week at Duke. Unfortunately, her retinas were too underdeveloped to do surgery, and they were crumpled up like tissue paper right behind her lenses. Dr. Toth and her staff were amazing!!!!!!!!! Hannah will be 7 on Sunday, and is doing fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!! She is in a public school in the first grade, and loves reading braille! I will be praying for Gweneth, and your family, and pray for an extra blessing on her little eyes! Honestly, you are at the best hospital for both of your girls! Duke is world renown for its eye center.

Praying for you,
Rebekah

Here is our blog:

http://www.movingmountainshubleystyle.blogspot.com/

I just started it in March. By the way, your photos are great! I am a professional photographer, and teach photography at Huntington University: so I am picky :-) Using such shallow depth of field makes your photos that much more beautiful!

Jane said...

yes, there are a ton more things that could be worse to deal with.

I'm praying!

YEAH GOD for a few ounces! Grow baby, grow! I've got several pounds I'll share with ya Gwyneth!

Angie said...

I love that picture of Gwyneth - so alert...and reaching for you! Praying all is going well...it's 10 just now so I will pray!
Did she recognize you with all your hair cut???
Angie

Harris Boys said...

Hope you get great results from the eye doctor. Great pic of your baby girl :)

Julie said...

Praying for a good report on the eyes! Yeah for weight gain, too! (It's just about the only time in a girl's life when gaining weight is a GOOD thing!!)

The haircut looks good - loved the music you used for the video!! You have a great sense of humor!!!

Have a great day!

Joshs_Rebekah said...

Hey Nate,

My adopted sister was 1 lb 5oz when born 15 weeks early ~ her mom was on crack while pregnant. Needless to say, she is blind today for the lack of laser surgery. All this to say - look how far the medical world has come! I am constantly amazed!

Your story means a whole lot to me, and the people around me! I give my husband almost daily Gwyneth updates!

Rebekah Larson

Marsmile said...

Looks like Gwyneth recognizes you, Nathan! Aww, she wanted to be held, kissed, and hugged! ;-)

Praying and hoping for the "all clear" from her eye exam. Glad she is gaining some weight. Keep Growing, Gywn!

Marissa :-)

Jenny said...

Awww, that picture just screams "hold me and snuggle with me." I'll do it! :)

Praying the laser treatment goes well.

Love y'all!

Jen Wilson said...

Yay Gwyneth for gaining weight!

I'll pray that Gwyneth's eye exam goes well, and if not that the laser treatment will work! That picture of her totally melted me. She is SUCH a sweet little girl!

Scott said...

We are praying for Gwyneth's eye surgery! We also are praying for Trisha and her transplant daily. Nate, your hair looks really good! Thanks for sharing the buzz with us!

Jen in Al said...

what a cutie! you can see that she has such a cute personality in the pictures! praying, jen in al

The VW's said...

I love this picture!!! Prayers continue for your family!!!

Princess Talana said...

I love this picture of her... one of my favorites so far. Sending prayers your way!

Hayley said...

What a cutie! (I've read more recent posts, but I wanted to say how lovely Gwyneth is, which sort of pointed to this one). I'm praying for you, Tricia and Gwyneth Rose - here's to Tricia's new lungs and Gwyneth's homecoming!

c&v said...

We will continue to pray for little Gwyneth and her eyesight. The picture in this post is one of my favorites! Such a cute little girl!:)

sarah. said...

One of my favorite pictures so far :)

Ashley Marshall said...

She is getting so big! (at least bigger than she was!) And she is a beauty!!! :)

Aimee said...

understand about ROP and hope that the surgery went well. Keeping you in my prayers & hoping you will have the good luck with ROP that we have had