The eye visit

So I took Landon to an eye appointment this morning. Because of having to do this I have worried for weeks about it! So I have just spent tons of time praying. Last night I was sick to my stomach and think it was partly due to worrying all day. I didn't really know what to expect from the visit, and no parent wants to hear that their child has any problems. It has been enough that he has had four ear infections since birth... and he is only 11 months. I was so worried that I asked both my mom and patti to come with me. Zack had to work! :( So with all that stirring... I anticipated the visit.

The appointment was for 8:40 this morning. When we arrived early, we had to do paper work. Then for the wait...wait...wait! The doctor is the only ped. eye doctor in the surrounding area. So the wait was forever to even get an appointment, and a long wait in the office. When the nurse came out 10 minute(which was the longest ten minutes since Landon was born) I thought we were ready for the visit. No... more paper work and questions to be taken care of! YUCK.... I hate paper work. After that we went back to the waiting room. Which I give mad props to Morganton Eye Physician, because they have a child's waiting room with movies and toys!

Finally the time had come for his visit to really begin. Dr. Beton came out and was super energetic... and so happy to be around. That started to relax me, but I was still worried about turn out. She did a series of test, which she played with Landon the whole time! I love it when Doctors take time to be personable...that is why we love Dr. Benfeild! When she was done with those series of test... and he was still happy I thought that was it. She gave us the news that she had just diagnosed him with "Congenital Ptosis." She then said, "Which means he has a droopy eye, duh." So since I thought it was done, I let out a big sigh. I thought... "Wow that was easy."

Then came the news that it could cause vision problems, so they had to dilate his eyes to see if his vision was fine. Putting him through that process was pitiful. It broke my heart, but I held it all together really well I think. It took me, mom, and patti to hold him down to get the drops in. He cried, and cried, and cried. I almost cried.... I did have a few tears. Then she came back in and we had to do that process all over again. The nurse was really sweet though. After that was completely done... (YOU GUESSED IT)..... WE HAD TO WAIT AGAIN.... for thirty minutes. Apparently it takes dilation drops that long to work the right way.

When we went back with the doctor again, he was no so happy. He, first of all, was really sleepy, and second his eyes were bothering him. It took all I had in me to get him to sit through the first of two more test to be done. After the first one, Dr. Beton taught me a restraint that I had to use on little man. She did the second test, and we were for real.... ALL DONE! YAY! No eye problems, PERFECT VISION! NO MORE VISITS UNTIL NEXT YEAR! HOORAY!

Landon's condition is completely cosmetic. Dr. Beton said that we didn't have to consider surgery until he was a teenager. At that point we will let him decide if he wants cosmetic surgery. We won't make he have it if he doesn't want to.

That was probably the worst thing I have ever had to go through. It is no fun watching your baby hurt, or being worried that something is wrong with your baby. I love that child with all my heart, he is my heartbeat. He became my heart outside of me when he was born. It makes your heart so happy to hear "everything is fine with your son." I love that feeling of peace, and relief.

Thank you Lord for answering our prayers. Thank you for creating Landon So unique. Thank you for allowing me to be his mommy!