Here we go again...

Owen had his vision check-up from his initial appointment 6 weeks ago. We've been patching his eye for an hour a day since January 9th, when we found out he has a weakened eye muscle and may require surgery to correct it. It's quite common for cranio kids, especially coronal ones like him, to experience eye issues. So I wasn't at all surprised when the Doctor mentioned the possibility of surgery.

Today he confirmed it. We'll be doing surgery some time soon - probably within the next month or so. He doesn't think the patching will have the full affect it needs to and surgery is the best way to correct this. The sooner we do it, the better chance we have of not doing any further damage to Owen's vision. There's a possibility he may need another one down the road, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

I'm surprisingly okay with this decision. It's nothing like the cranial vault reconstruction he had done last May. This is a more "simple" procedure and we'll go home the same day. I was absolutely thrilled to hear that and even more happy to hear the surgery takes maybe an hour to do. I am so thankful we won't have to sit on pins and needles for 4 hours in the hospital waiting room like we did last year. That was the hardest thing to do!

If you're new to my blog and you have any worries, fears, concerns about your child - my BIGGEST piece of advice is it's better to be safe than sorry. I am a huge advocate for early detection of this condition and for the proper treatment. I think every cranio baby, especially coronal, should have thorough vision check-ups. It's what is going to help fix my son's vision issues.

17 months old tomorrow! It's flying by. I call him my sweet boy. I don't just say that because I'm his Mother. It really is true! ;)

Have a Heart, Do Your Part

WOW. What a week it has been! 

Wednesday kicked off the Have a Heart, Do Your Part Radiothon. I was collecting change and donations online since early January and this past Wednesday the kids and I made the trip to Cuyahoga Falls and went to the Change Bandit Bash. We had a fantastic time! They had a raffle and I even ended up winning a $25 gift card to a Mexican restaurant in Akron. Adam and I plan to go out on a date night soon and use that. I'm very excited. 

The Change Bandit Bash was a big success and kicked off Radiothon with over $56,000 in donations. Yesterday an amazing donor came forward and agreed to double every single donation made and they ended the day with over $475,000. That same amazing donor is doing the same thing today. I am amazed!!!

It feels so good to be involved in this and to give back to the hospital and staff who gave so much to our family. The day Owen was diagnosed and I sat in Dr. Hudgins office and cried, he did and said everything he could to comfort Adam and I. Meeting Dr. Murthy two weeks later and seeing how amazing and comforting his staff was, it made the decision to do the surgery that much easier. 

You never think you'll need a Children's Hospital and specialists for your child. I know I never believed we would. Then the day came that we did need Akron Children's.... and they did everything right to help our son.

I still remember the anesthesiologist looking at Adam and I and telling us "I have two boys of my own and I treat each of my patients like they are my own." I was doing ok handling my emotions that morning and when he said that, I lost it. The tears just flowed and flowed after that. There isn't a price you can put on that kind of care, but this was a fantastic way to start.

Today is the last day of Radiothon and you can still make a donation through www.wkdd.com or by calling 866-543-0981.