Update on Anna's eyes

Hi All- Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I so appreciate all the dear friends and family that took the time to pray with me and have been so supportive during this scary time.
As most of you know, I went to my optometrist Monday about the blind spot in my eye. She thought it was Histoplasmosis and scheduled me an appointment with a retina specialist in Killeen on Aug. 11. The specialist has offices in Austin and visits Killeen only a few times a month. Over the next couple of days, my vision seemed to be worsening so I took matters into my own hands and called the doctor's office and asked if I could be seen sooner if I was willing to drive to Austin. They had an opening Thurs. morning at 8:45 so I took it. I fully intended on driving myself. I was so anxious to get some answers about my eye. My mom heard what I was doing and asked to get off from work so that she could drive me. Some dear friends offered to keep the kids and Cady was even able to go to her last day of swimming lessons with Sue and her daughter Sarah! Anyway, we left Cove at about 6:30 am and got to Austin at 8:15. They got us right in and started testing my vision and then dilated my pupils with those nasty drops. The office was so professional and quick. We just went from one station to the next. The doctor looked at it and said he agreed with my optometrist and it looked like I had a blood vessel that was leaking blood and fluid. After some photographs that took pictures of the layers of my eye and a test to find the leak where they injected dye into my arm, the doctor told me my options. He said there was no way they could do the laser surgery that was normally used for this type of thing because the blood vessel was in the center of my vision and I would lose my sight. He said there was a new drug called Avastin that has just started being used during the last 6 or 9 months. It's normally used for colon cancer but in this case it stops the growth of more blood vessels that cause the scarring that causes vision loss. He said they could administer the injection into my eye right then and I said OK! They numbed my eye with drops and swabs and junk and then stuck a needle in my eye! Eeeek! Then they prescribed an antibiotic eye drop and we were done! My eye is killing me but I'm just happy that I can see my kids.
I have an appointment in 5 weeks to see how the injection worked. I may need one or two more. Long term, there is a 20% chance I'll regain the vision I've lost. Otherwise, it probably won't get any worse! Also, the histoplasmosis was only in my left eye! Overall, it's been a great day! Thank you for your prayers and support! Love Anna

More Prayer Please...

Hi Everyone- I've had a spot in my line of vision since Thursday and went to the eye doctor today. She thinks I have something called Histoplamosis-a disease caused by a fungus that is typically found in places where birds and bats are abundant. The fungus grows in soil contaminated with the animals' droppings. It produces spores that become airborne and are breathed in through the mouth and nose.

The body usually successfully fights histoplasmosis but in a few people it leads to more serious disease including an infection of the eye called presumed ocular histoplasmosis (POHS). Many years after the initial infection, a person begins to notice peculiar changes in his or her vision. POHS is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans ages 20 to 40. Quick treatment by a retinal specialist is important for preserving vision.

The fungus may cause small areas of inflammation and scarring of the retina. These are called “histo spots” and may be found in both eyes. These scars form during childhood or early adulthood and tend to be asymptomatic. Their affect on vision depends on the location of the scars. Scarring in the peripheral area of the retina may have little or no impact on vision, while a central scar affecting the macula may cause a prominent blind spot. Most people with histo spots in the retina are unaware of them unless the central vision is affected. Studies indicate that only about 5% of those with histo spots are at risk of losing vision.

Scientists believe that the spores of the fungus pass from the lungs to the retina where they lodge in a region of capillaries (small blood vessels) called the choroid. An old histo spot that formed during childhood can become active in adulthood. A scar becomes active when a net of abnormal blood vessels grow around the old histo spot and causes swelling of the retina. These new changes around the old scar result in decreased vision or distortion. POHS develops when these capillaries sprout shoots and form a lesion called choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

There are treatments for CNV but, when untreated, scar tissue can form in the retina and interfere with vision—especially central vision—and the sprouted vessels can leak fluid and blood. The sensitive macula, which is responsible for sharp central vision, is most affected. POHS resembles age-related macular degeneration but is distinguished by a characteristic referred to as histo spots.

OK-that's the textbook explanation. Anyway, I'm seeing kind of blurry and it's pretty scary. The testing alone is almost 1000$ and that's pretty scary because of Josh not having a job right now. I have an appointment with a Retina Specialist on August 11. POHS is not curable but is usually treatable with Laser PhotoCoagulation-another long explanation. If you're curious you can read about treatment at http://www.bmgnri.com/eyehealth/PO05.htm

I won't bore you with all of the details. Just pray that this is resolved and we can pay for it and that I don't lose my vision:( More later... Love Anna

Cadence starts swim lessons

Today was Cady's first day of swim lessons. She had a blast. I'm just thankful my friend Sue was able to be in the water with Cady and her daughter Sarah because the instructor was really negligent. A little girl almost drowned and noone would have noticed if Sue wouldn't have pulled her out. Other kids kept wandering off and Sue would go get them while the instructor's back was turned, not even paying attention. I had to call Parks and Rec to tell them. I kind of feel like a tattle tale but the instructor was not paying attention and I'm afraid someone could really get hurt. The class is 2 and 3 year olds! So the aquatics instructor is supposed to call to get all of the details. :( But Cady really had a fun time! I'll post pix tomorrow since we forgot the camera today:)

Cutie Patootie Collage

Here is a collage of the pictures we had done at Sears. We get all the pix back tomorrow so you can expect to see those in the mail or by Air Mail via Josh who is leaving tomorrow to head to Michigan for a visit. Don't worry, I have plenty of ammo and guns to keep us safe and I'm not afraid to use them. So don't try anything internet stalkers. You will find yourself dead. Anywhoo, the kids are gorgeous. I have more pictures I must really try to get posted. Our computer troubles should be over so that I can get those up.

Chase and Cady get their pictures done

We got some adorable pictures done today. Check them out at www.searsportrait.com

Session ID:42487b104978188

Password: M8DD5CCYP

Yeah, it's been forever...

Hey everyone- I know it's been a long time since our last post. Let's see... what's new...
Well, first and most obviously, my mom has really, truly moved to Texas! I didn't want to "jinx" it, so I haven't said anything on the blog but it's really happened. It still hasn't sunk in. She applied for a job in Waco a few months back and was interviewed by telephone three times. We waited for a long time to hear and even when they told her she had gotten the job, we were holding our breath almost sure that something would go wrong. The Lord worked it all out perfectly. She gave three weeks notice at Cornerstone, packed over a weekend and drove down! She got here a week ago yesterday. So we've been busy shopping, cleaning, organizing, juicing and spoiling. Oh, and cleaning up tons of puke. That boy is a puker! He is a puke machine! It's amazing he is as big as he is because he seems to spit up everything he ate. It doesn't seem to bother him. He burps, pukes and laughs! He's so sweet. He still has one dimple in his right cheek and he coos and laughs. He loves to talk and kick his legs and now he catches one hand with the other and pulls both fists into his mouth so that he can suck on his knuckles. He is really a sweet baby.
Anyway, mom's really here. I didn't think it would ever happen although my parents have been talking about it for years. Dad is in MI fixing up the condo to sell. Mom will stay with us for awhile and make the hour and a half commute to Waco every day. She's figured she'll have to leave at 6:15 am and should be back home at about 6:30pm. She went today and met the people she'll be working with and toured Baylor. It's very nice. Oh by the way, she's working in Baylor University's School of Social Work Gerentology department. So, she starts next Monday. Cadence isn't sleeping very much. I think she thinks that Grambee will have to leave and go back to Michigan just like she did three months ago. She fights going to bed and gets up and goes into Grambee's bedroom to try to sleep with her. This morning she was up at 3 am and after Grambee put her back to bed, she snuck out and slept on the couch. She was not very happy this morning when Grambee had to leave for Waco. She barely even lets her go to the bathroom by herself let alone leave the house. She cried for a little bit and then we convinced her that Grambee was coming back later and she was going to have fun at Mrs. Green's.
Her new phrases include, "You're the best in my world.", "You're not my friend any more.", "You make my feelings sad." and "I'm telling on you." all of which she says to me at least once a day. I guess some of these phrases are a right of passage for little girls but...grrr. She sure knows how to lay it on. She's so funny.
So, Josh had reformatted our hard drives or something and so I couldn't get pictures downloaded so I'll have some catching up to do. I got a great picture of my little ham "performing" at a Fourth of July picnic yesterday. It's great. I'll get some of those up when I can. I'm also working on figuring out how to get videos on too.
Love to all... Anna