Eye Doctor

Ella had her first eye exam today and she probably reacted like all kids with their first exam, she cried, turned her head away from the light, and then after it was over she fell asleep. The doctor let us know that because of her low birth weight, Ella is at high risk for ROP (retinopothy of prematurity - veins in the eyes that grow too fast and sometimes retinal detachment) which causes eye problems and sometimes blindness. Today, he was only able to tell that her eyes are premature but he will do another exam next Monday. At this point he is almost sure that she will need laser surgery on her eyes and possibly more intense surgery in Houston. I know that Ella was small when she was born but I know with even more confidence that my God is able to do immeasurably more than even I can ask or imagine. Pray for Ella's eyes that the veins will stop growing at the right place and that she is protected from the problems that could come from her being so small.

Ella is still having issues with her blood sugar but I think we have finally found the right balance because they have been normal today. Pray for her sugar levels that they will continue to be in balance and that they will be able to take her off the glucose in her IV fluids.

Today Dr. DeYoung and I discussed Ella's lungs and it looks like they are still young and immature. Since Ella was so small her lungs are underdeveloped and because of this she will probably be on the oxygen for another month and in the hospital into 2009. Pray for her lungs to mature and for no problems in later years because of her low birth weight.

Ella's eyes and lungs need some miraculous intervention.