So the appointment was made for a week later to go and see the neuro-opthomologist.  My mother in law was taking me this time.  Again my mind was much too blurred to actually drive in a lot of traffic.  I had a little shred of light lit in my heart and was feeling just a tiny bit better.  I was trying so hard to remain optimistic!  I had to for my sake.  If I let all of these things get me down I would have quit a long time ago!

On a little side note I have to tell you that it is no joke going to a neuro-opthomologist.  They are VERY specialized.  When the other doctor’s office was making the appointment, they warned me to check that my insurance would cover it.  When I called my insurance company they told me there were only 2 doctor’s within 200 miles of my house in this specialty.   It was the doctor whom they had already made an appointment with or one in New York City.    I live within and hour of  “the city” so this is BIG!

So anyway, we are off to this appointment and arrive a little early which is what I like to do when I am stressed.  I think that every ten minutes this doctor was scheduled to see about 4 people.  He was running very behind as anyone would with this type of schedule.  I was so anxious sitting there in a cold and uninviting office.  There was no rug on the floors.  The chair was not comfortable.  No matter how nice you were to the staff they were down right nasty!  I felt like yelling at them.  I felt like saying, “don’t you know that I am here because my 4 month old baby cannot see?  Where is your compassion?”  I did not yell though.  It is not what I do.  I seethe inside instead!

After about an hour and a half we were called in.  At this point I had convinced myself that the baby was seeing a little more now.  I felt silly being there.  Trust me there was still something going on.  I was holding onto my mom dreams again.  I know we all have them!  We have to to make it through most days!

After he examined her he had said that Analiese had a visual maturation delay.  I looked at him like he had 6 heads.  I had no idea what this meant.  I was lost!  I guess he could tell because he went on to describe it to me.  The mylon sheathing on her optic nerve had not developed fully.  Over the next few months it should continue to develop.  Right there I was thinking, “is he saying what I think he is?  Will she be able to see?”  I was jumping out of my skin trying so hard to listen and calm my thoughts.  He then went on to tell me that by six months her vision should come in.  He said we did not need to go back unless it doesn’t happen.

After this rather quick diagnosis my mother in law started asking questions.  The most profound one was how common is this.  His words are words that I will never forget.  He told her, “We see three or four of these a year so it is pretty common!”  Was he kidding?  He is the only doctor in this specialty in the entire 200 mile radius and this is common?  His idea of common were jaded!

In the end Analiese’s vision came in slowly.  Now at almost two she can see wonderfully!  I thank God each and every day for this!  I am not sure that I could have handled another disability in my life at the time.   Especially not one that would have been so life changing for all of us!

Becca

Links to the Full Series

Baby Blind Part I
Baby Blind Part II
Baby Blind Part III
Baby Blind Part IV
Baby Blind Part V