EYE TO EYE....2

During the early days of March, my youngest, Ian, had Lasik surgery on his eyes. We have used so many doctors for so many things through the years, it has become second nature to thoroughly research the doctor and his reputation and record before we decide to see them. Ian did this on his own before he had the surgery. He felt very confident that he had found the very best doctor in the Southeast to do his surgery. He had the surgery, and all went well. He is enjoying near perfect vision and is loving it! This doctor has the latest lasers and other equipment that is available, and is widely reputed to be among the best.

At the final visit Ian had with his doctor in Birmingham, he talked to him a little about Alex and the problems he has. He asked him if he thought he could do anything to possibly help him. He explained a little of the problems, and the doctor told him he would just have to review his records and see him to even venture an answer.

When we found out that Don was going up for his appointment last Monday, Ian took it upon himself to call and make Alex an appointment with the eye doctor. He then called us and said, "Get Alex ready, he's going to Birmingham, too." And, so they went off to the big city...3 of my 4 men.

Don called to let me know about his visit...and that he was having surgery the next morning. And then, he told me about Alex's visit. Get ready: here comes the miracle!

When they saw the doctor, he examined Alex very thoroughly. He was astounded to find that his vision was 20/5000. This means that what the 'normal eye' can see at 5000 feet...Alex has to see at 20 feet. Or, to see the biggest letter on the eye chart that the normal eye can see at 20 feet...it would have to be blown up 5000 times for Alex to see it. Alex's vision renders him legally blind. BUT...this doctor thinks that he can help him see better!!!!

He will go up on the 5th of May for extensive pre-op testing and mapping of the eye. On May 6, they will use a laser to drill tiny holes in both eyes. He will come home for 2 weeks...then, on May 20, he will have surgery under general anesthesia. They will insert special lenses into both eyes. The doctor says that he thinks it is possible he can get his vision to about 20/40. 20/40 !!!!! Can you imagine what that will be like for someone who can not even see the branches of the trees? For someone who can not see the road signs as he passes by them in a car? For someone who can not even sit on a couch and watch TV? For someone who can not tell who is walking into his door unless he hears their voice? Just the possibility of it is almost too much to even hope for.

This will not help his double vision or the nystagmus. That is part of his disease, and is due to the atrophy of the cerebellum. Nothing can be done about that, unless the Lord decides to change it. So, he will still have to wear glasses with prisms in them to correct the double vision. But now they will not have to be 3 inches thick! And, there is nothing that can be done about the nystagmus. So, he still will have to deal with those problems, but, hey...he will be able to see!

As you can imagine, he is beside himself with excitement. And, he and Pop are figuring out the time he has to wait down to the days and hours. But, this is where the story turns bittersweet...sweet Scooter has now lost his vision, and can't see to find his way back into the house. He does fairly well inside still, but outside he is just pitiful. Our vet is out of town until Monday. But, we will be seeing him just ASAP. Alex has decided that it is time for Scooter to be at rest. The tumors are growing so big, and he doesn't want to eat anything at all. We are praying that God will take care of this for us before Monday, and Alex will not have to.

Now...as to the second reason why I was in such need for that ice cream earlier this week. Before Alex and Don left to go to B'ham, I gave Don a list of all the dates that were full between now and May 22...I have something to do almost every, single day. I wanted to be sure that I was available so I made sure he had it IN WRITING! So, of course, what does he do????? First he schedules his surgery for the next day, and then he schedules both of the dates for Alex to be in B'ham right when I told him NOT to. What is it with men? Why can't they get things like this right? Even when you write it down for them? I am not a happy mom about not being there for this surgery. But, Alex is so excited, he doesn't want to delay it for even another 2 weeks. So...I have bought me a pair of big girl panties...I am wearing them...and I am dealing with it. I just can't believe I will miss getting to see him getting to see after all these years. But, so be it.

AND...this has all played out in the Lord's time! We have prayed, our friends have prayed, even strangers have prayed that Alex will get some help with his disease. Why has God just now chosen to answer some of our prayers? I just do not know...nor do I have to know. But, I am sure of this...God's timing is perfect. I have dealt with sickness and waiting and 'not knowing' all of my life as a Mother. I have prayed many, many prayers. I have sought answers and solutions. But, God has always let me know when it was time to do something and when it was time to 'wait'. Many times, when we have not had a clear answer as to which way to go with our boys...we have just "decided not to decide"...in other words...to wait. Sometimes it has seemed like we were waiting forever. But, as in this case, God is working even when we do not see evidence of it.

This time, he worked through Ian. It was almost an 'out of the blue' moment when Ian told us he was having the Lasik done. (It is hard for me to believe that he is an adult, living on his own, making his own living, and making his own decisions about his life...he does not need our approval or OK.) We were a little leery of him doing it, but he decided to go ahead, and we did feel confident in his ability to look at all sides of the situation. What if we had fussed and argued with him, and he had decided not to do it because we were against it? By him having contact with this doctor...he was able to get Alex in contact with this doctor. Don and I were not even looking for help with his eyesight at this time. We have been more concerned with helping him control the pain. We are so thankful also that God blessed Ian with a heart that wanted to share this good thing he found with his brother! And, believe me, he is almost as excited as Alex!

I tell you this with all the confidence a woman can have. God is God. He is in charge. He knows what is best for us. If we let Him guide us, we will always have reason to be thankful. He cares about each of us...as if there were only us. He hears every prayer that is prayed. He wants only good things for us. But, when the bad times come into our lives...it is He who can take it and use it for our good. He WILL see us through. He WILL bless us over and over and over. And, I think that He delights in 'springing one on us'...when we least expect it!