Prayers Again...

The short of it: Tuesday morning, I went to see a retinal specialist because of a blind spot that developed in my right eye Saturday morning. After several tests I was diagnosed with having a blood clot in my right eye...most likely caused by the prometrium (progesterone) that I am taking and the hormones that come along with being pregnant. My doctor has decided to take me off the prometrium and monitor my levels weekly until my 11th week. I also have to take one baby aspirin a day while pregnant to thin out my blood and hopefully prevent anymore blood clots from forming. See bottom for specific prayer requests ;-)

The Long: Saturday morning when I woke up I realized that the vision in my right eye was not normal. I kept covering up my left eye to figure out what in the world was going on. Finally, I realized that there was a blind spot in the bottom right corner of my eye. I have had something similar before when I've had a migraine, but it always went away after a few hours. I didn't pay much attention to the blind spot until I woke up Sunday morning and realized that it was still there. So...what did I do next? Yep, you got it ;-) started googling it. The only thing I came up with was the chance of it being a "floater" which can be serious and non-serious. Of course, my mind went straight to the worst possible scenario. I started thinking about blindness and what a colorless world would be like for me and then the fear and anxiety came. Uggg, why do I do that!

Monday morning I called an eye doctor down the street from us. I didn't have a referral or anything I just went on-line and looked to see who would be best. I ended up choosing a husband and wife team from Bowen Eye Center. I am so glad that I chose him because he was so nice and such a huge help. They got me in as soon as they could and blocked off a certain amount of time just for me so that the dr could focus on what was going on. After a two hour appointment and very little answers he decided it would be best to send me to a retinal specialist the next morning. Dr Bowen had taken pictures of my eye and showed me what he was seeing, but he just didn't have the answers as to what it was. My first question, of course, was........is it from a tumor? His response was that he didn't think so. I still went home worried as ever, thinking I had a brain tumor and giving myself about 3-4 weeks. I only told my dad and Joey's family because I didn't want to worry anyone else...especially the sisters. They would have been a little more optimistic than me...they would have given me 6-8 weeks. lol ;-)

Anyhow, I had my appointment with the retinal specialist yesterday morning at 10:45 and was very pleased with the Dr. He was so wonderful and probably one of the best doctors I have ever seen. First of all, anyone who knows me knows that I hate my eye being messed with....even eye drops can be a challenge! After being probed and prodded the dr. immediately knew what it was and said that after he took some pictures of my eye he would explain further. He basically told me that I had a blood clot in my eye. It was as if my eye had had a stroke. He also said that the clot might get smaller, but that it would never go away. It is also most likely that my sight will not return to that area. I can't really tell there's anything wrong except for when I close my left eye. Otherwise, my left eye compensates for it. My right eye is my dominant eye, but my left eye has taken over that role and I can feel some strain on it, but other than that I can't really tell that there is a blind spot in my right eye. There was some more testing that the dr wanted to do, but decided against it since I am pregnant. He believes that the clot was caused by my prometrium (progesterone) that I am taking and the hormones that come with being pregnant.

Later that afternoon, the Dr. conferenced in a call with my ob, Dr. Flowers. ;-) It was decided that I would go off of my prometrium and would need to take one baby aspirin a day for the remainder of my pregnancy. The hope is that this is an isolated incident, but the fear is always the increased risk of having blood clots when pregnant. With this, I have gone back on the high risk pregnancy list. :-( I have already been to see my dr again today and blood was drawn to monitor my progesterone levels. They will have to be taken weekly until the 11th week to make sure that my pregesterone levels do not get too low.

Things to be thankful for....
1. the blood clot in my right eye was 1 1/2 millimeters away from my vision center...the macula. Had it been in my macula I would have had complete loss of vision in that eye.
2. the retinal specialist is good friends with my OB's husband and actually had dinner over at their house the previous week. Talk about the hand of God!
3. blood clots are quiet...and really, this is the only blood clot that I could have "seen"

Things to pray for...
1. that I would calm down and give it all to God! That I would trust his provision. He has already proved himself faithful to me a countless number of times in my life and I just need to rest in that!
2. that this is an isolated incident and that I would not have anymore blood clots
3. that my vision would be preserved and that my left eye would remain the healthy one
4. for God's protection over me and this baby

I Can't Jump, but....

I can flip ;-)

Gentle Lamb...

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. -Ephesians 4:2

Sweet Moments with Your Great Grandma Barb

Joey's Grandma Barb passed away today and it has been really hard on everyone. She had a sweet spirit and a special love for Presley and I loved watching them interact. A memory that has stuck in my head these past few months is one that happened over Thanksgiving. We were at Joey's uncle's house and Grandma Barb was standing next to the fridge. She knelt down, held out her hands, and called Presley's name. Presley ran right into her arms. I think this image stuck with me because 1-Presley isn't exactly outgoing, and 2-Presley still has bouts of crying when someone, other than mommy and daddy, tries to hold her. This is the image I would like to keep in my mind when I think about Grandma Barb....open arms to anyone and everyone who needed them! Here is just a glimpse into their special relationship...

First off, this picture always cracks me up and I know I have blogged about it before, but seriously...who gives someone a look like that? Obviously, my daughter does. I always laugh at this photo because Presley just walked up to Great Grandma Barb and made this face. Random!

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:18

Gentle Hugs

When Presley walks into a playgroup or a room filled with children she is cautiously cautious. She watches from afar and observes her surroundings. She isn't shy, but she's not exactly "outgoing" either....she usually waits for the other children to approach her. A few weeks ago, we were at Gymboree and there was a little girl in our class who was 12 months old and doing a make up class from one of the snow days. She was the cutest little girl! She had big brown eyes and short brown hair. It was apparent that this little girl was very timid...a bit like Presley. ;-) For some reason, Presley was drawn to this little girl. She watched her very closely and couldn't take her eyes off of her. She followed her around and tried to talk to her a few times. At the end of class we do parachute time...usually a little intimidating for first timers! Anyhow, while all the kids were running underneath the parachute Presley walked over to this little girl (who had a worrisome look on her face) and gently gave her a hug. Of course, all of the moms melted and said, "ahhhhh." I was in tears (blame it on the baby hormones) because I have never seen Presley be affectionate to a total stranger...big or small. The other moms looked at me like I was crazy, of course. If anyone knows Presley then they know how attached she is to me and Joey and how rarely she reaches out like that. She is always loving on me and Joey, but she rarely hugs on anyone else. Sometimes she will love on her cousins and aunts, but never on complete strangers. Last week, Logan came over and she was very drawn to him as well. She leaned over and gave him a big kiss on the lips. ;-) Most children I see are fairly affectionate at this age. Little boys and girls are always trying to hug and kiss on Presley when we are at playgroups...which she doesn't usually like too much. After I saw Presley reach out with a hug to this little girl it made me so excited about her becoming a big sister in 8 months! ;-) I know, kind of a strange blog post ;-) BUT something that I would like to remember. ;-)

A Few of My Favorites ;-)

I went into Teacher's Tools today...big mistake! I can never leave that place empty handed. I bought a few of these things, have some of these things, and WISH I had the rest! :-)
Preschool Prep Pack
Preschool Prep Series and Sight Words
Pattern Blocks
Inchworms
Teddybear Counters
Pattern Cards
Wedgits
Fantacolor Junior
Wikki Stix
Lacing Beads
Jumbo Watercolors
File Folder Games
Story Telling Glove and Lapboards
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activity Set
Mailbox Magazines
Scholastic Books
What is Grammar Collection

Christmas Album 2010

Click here to view this photo book larger

I finally finished Presley's Christmas album. ;-) Yeah! It took awhile and I really struggled with finishing it these past few weeks, but I finally forced myself to sit down today and finish it...knowing that if I didn't do it today it would never get done. PLUS, shutterfly is having a sale on their 12x12 photobooks for 50% off until the 16th! They only have a 50% off sale twice a year....usually in February and August. Anyhow, there are some things I would like to change about this book, but I just don't have the energy to edit or change anything....so, it'll have to do for now!