She is so sweet and cute but to be honest, we never wanted to see Iris with this “look” again. We had done our best to get her through a really difficult time in the past by helping her feel like her eye therapy was something fun and could be like she was dressing up but it was still very hard and when she finally had her eye surgery we were hopefully optimistic that she would never have to “play” this game again.
If you are new the this story of our princess’ eye troubles and want the back story you can check out these oodles of blogs starting from when she was less than two years old!
- Pirate Princess
- Pirate Princess’ Voyage
- Pirate Princess Makeover
- All Princess & No More Pirate
- Last Post-Op for the {Pirate} Princess!
Last fall, exactly one year ago today, Iris had her last follow up appointment at the Kellogg Eye center at UofM in Michigan after having had a successful eye surgery in which muscles in both of her eyes were cut and reattached in order to align her eyes. After that last check up Iris’ surgeon had been extremely positive at her recovery and told us things couldn’t look better! Off course we were over-joyed. As we left he told us Iris would need to have another follow up appointment with a specialist in one year and recommended a Children’s Eye Center we should go to in El Paso, the best location for us considering we were moving to Mexico.
Iris had her follow up appointment this past week. The children’s eye clinic was great and we felt well cared for despite the three hour wait! Going into the appointment we felt optimistic, yes Iris’ left eye did occasionally stray toward her nose but it wasn’t extreme and we weren’t sure what we should expect this long after her surgery. There were a series of tests done on Iris before we got to the actual opthomalogist and after the first set of tests I new there was definitely something wrong. As soon as Iris had her right eye covered she started struggling a lot to see the charts and tell the lady what she was seeing. She got very emotional, squinted a lot and I saw her lip start quivering and I new she felt like she was failing or somehow doing something wrong. I comforted her and assured her she was not doing anything wrong and that she only needed to do her best and it would be fine. Reluctantly she admitted that she could not see what the picture was.
My heart was sinking as we waited the next hour and 45 minutes to see the specialist and watched as the eye drops took effect on Iris’ pupils and they dilated fully. Iris sat in my lap shielding her eyes from the “brightness” and I did my best to not burst into tears in front of the full waiting room. I remembered how hard everything has been before, the battles with patching, the broken glasses, the crying, the difficulty in helping her understand why all these things had to happen and then I remembered the relief we had felt after her surgery. We felt hopeful that this thing was now over. Iris would be fine now. It was the end to our parental worry for her, no more double vision, no more people asking what was wrong with her and no more difficulty trying to “fix” this.
And here we were, waiting once again to hear what still needed to happen to help her. Concerns for our children are always the utmost!
Our time with the specialist went well, to Iris’ delight THIS chair went up and down by pushing the buttons on the side and the ophthalmologist was so sweet to Iris that the check up was a breeze. 🙂 As usual Iris did as she was told and put up with crazy gadgets all over her face. When it was all done, Iris happily sat and sucked on her reward sucker while the ophthalmologist tried to explain to me what was going on and what we needed to do. She tried to help me by giving me some brochures, circling certain things in red pen and letting me re ask her in my own words things I needed to clarify. A lot was said but the bottom line was-this is not over. She needs glasses, we need to do patching again everyday for the next 3 months (deja vu??) and she possibly needs a secondary surgery.
Gutted. That is how I felt. As we checked out and I led Iris to the place next door to choose her glasses I prayed the whole time. Lord in heaven, help me be rational right now. Help me keep this all in perspective, help me not freak out and sob like a baby. Thank you for Iris’ health in every other area. Thank you for your provision in the past for her care, even when we were in PNG. Thank you Lord for knowing exactly what she needs, thank you for her eyes, thank you for her gift of sight.
The next hour and a half were complicated and confusing because I had no way of contacting Tom for advice on the decisions I needed to make. (Because our cell phones only work in Mexico! :P) So between using the Vision Centers wifi to message Tom pictures of different glasses options and using the office’s phone, finally we were walking out with Iris in her new glasses as well as a bag of eye patches to last us for the next 3 months.
So here we go again, trusting the Lord with Iris’ eyes and holding her future eye sight up to the Lord with an open hand. We have no idea what will happen, we have no idea how we will pay for everything she needs and we have no idea how much longer this struggle will continue but thankfully God does! He knows the future, he knows the past and He is totally capable of doing exactly what He has before, providing strength, providing direction, providing wonderful medical professions and providing the finances.
Will you pray for Iris? The next 3 months will again be a challenge. Thankfully her patches will not have to be on all day long like they did before but she is already struggling with it and I need patience and wisdom to do this daily. This is difficult but we are entering into the next phase with Iris’ eyes with a God given thankful perspective for all that he has given her!
So here’s to another “round” of helping our beautiful little pirate for as long as this thing takes and no matter what it may involve!
Ruth Pontier says
Hi, Iris!! You are one Beautiful Pirate Princess! Those glasses are beautiful – on a very beautiful girl!!:-) I’m sure you will be happy when all the exercises are done, but you will be able to see so much better. Just know that there are Lots of people praying for you and your big brother Jude, and your mom and dad! You are very Special!! Tom & Beth – thanks for the updates – – Know you are being prayed for many times – and rest in the knowledge – ‘HE maketh NO mistakes!!!’ Love and prayers and hugs to all!! Ruth Pontier
Tom says
Thanks, Ruth!
pam harpst says
Hi Iris! I LOVE your glasses especially the nice hearts on the sides! They make you look very clever and fashionable, and extremely princess-like. 🙂 I know you will be the best pirate princess ever and just think of the stories and pretend games you can make up with your brother and new friends! You are a brave and wonderful girl. You can remember on some days that when you feel sad there is a family in Michigan who is praying for you and waiting to see how God answers!
Love from Miss Pam
Hi Beth and Tom, thank you so much for your beautiful perspective on how God holds the future. It is so very encouraging to all Believers. We will be praying often for you and your family; and for God’s Perfect Will to be revealed concerning all things Iris. She looks just precious in those sweet glasses! It is so hard to give up our children completely to the Lord. And it never ends…mine are all in their 30’s and it still seems like I relinquish them at the foot of the Cross on a regular basis some days! Love and prayers to all of you PamHarpst
Tom says
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement, Pam!
Granty Charlotte says
Hi, Iris! I love your new glasses! you look really special in them.
The patches are fun, too. You are Iris, the Pirate Princess!
I’m glad to know there is a place in El Paso that can help you to see better. You will really enjoy it when all your special therapy is finished and you can see everything really good, and not have to blink. You will be learning to read all by yourself soon, so your eyes are very important.
and I love the picture of you in your Mexican dress. and your long hair is beautiful!
Say Hi from me to your big brother, too. I am proud of him going to school.
Love, Granty Char