Bonnie Recovery

Merry Christmas!

Yes, we are back from our Jackson (and Deb) + Doctors trip to Boston.  In a post on Monday I will give more details.  The short line is that I will need to return for yet another surgery on Jan 13th.  I have mixed feelings about all that this means ... but the surgery will give me yet another real possibility for a “beyond probability” event (aka miracle).

On Christmas Eve I am celebrating along with Daniel all the blessings of this life.  We came in about 10 pm last night.  I immediately turned the lights on my diorama  creche (seen here) and the Christmas lights.  Daniel and I rejoiced in our cozy house.


Big news last week was our grandson, Zachary (now 9).  On Wed there was an article in the Wilmington paper entitled “Little Star: Zac Pollard.”   It told of his sports activities and hobbies (including his little sibling care).  We think they chose to do the piece on him because, with his pitching (and sometimes catching), his traveling team had the best record not only in N.C., but all four states in the region and was 6th in the nation.  We’re hoping the Red Sox scouts take the Wilmington paper. 

Since he was four Zac has focused on becoming a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.  (That may the because of I gave him a book called “Zachary’s Ball.” We think his magical-4-year-old-mind thought that the book was showing him his future just as his photo books showed him his past. The book remains his favorite, though Harry Potter is competing fiercely for that spot.) 

 

More big news about Zac last week (even more important according to GrandBe) was his starring role in his school’s Christmas Play, A Christmas Carol.  The play was an hour and he had lines in every minute of it.  He is an actor all right!  He only joined the drama club six weeks before the play.  Way to go Zac!

Abi and Luc loved the play (as did all Grandparents --see three in this picture).

Last week was also a time of getting our Christmas “stuff” from the POD and beginning to decorate the house.  We lingered at home a day after we planned to leave mostly so that I could see and touch my precious Christmas things.  I continue to meditate on the meaning of the joy I get seeing these cheerful things ... and also my history of Christmas.  Two years ago with my recently amputated feet, visits from my totally tired out husband (after 2 months of his being on constant call for my care), and no friends or family near, I had a bleak Christmas.   It is only in looking back in the light of the joy of Christmas ’09 and the anticipation of Christmas ’10 that I am able to admit how bleak it was.  I find so much HOPE for the future [regardless of what today looks like] in all these ponderings.

We are wishing you all HOPE and love and a most bright holiday season.

Bonnie for BanD

SNOW! SURGERY!! and SIGHT?

We are very happy to be in our cozy NC home and not in the great snow storms hitting the NE this week.  We did get flakes yesterday at the beach... fun, especially when they don't stick.  Today is sunny and glorious, though the windchill makes it very cold for those who need to go outside (not me).

The story in my left eye is this:  the ephithelial (outer) layer has fully grown over my cornea, but the cornea itself is "melting," and is dangerously thin.  This is altogether NOT good.  10-20% of corneal transplants are rejected.  I am in that category; I've now had 2 failed ones. I have the poor, cloudy vision of a failed transplant WHEN I can see at all.  I have had that eye sewn shut almost all the time since August.

Because my cornea is now "dangerously thin" something must be done.  My graft-v-host disease has been under control for a couple of months now, and so she assesses that I am finally a candidate for what is called a keratoprosthesis, an artificial cornea; also called a "KPRO."  For those interested in the medical stuff and some gory eye pictures, check out the "Eye World" site.

The good news is that my overall health has improved.  In August Dr. Colby would not even discuss options that might improve my sight.  Dr. Sugar, whom I saw on an emergency basis last August in Chicago (recall he is a good friend of my sister-in-law), recommended the KPro.  At that time, I had to say that Dr. Colby wouldn't even consider it at least for a couple of years.  And now it is a GO!!

Yes, I am more and more a bionic woman!  (Check out the third from bottom picture on Eye World.)  I figure I'm about a 6 Million Dollar Woman.  Now if I could only get really strong muscles!

The device and procedure are (as Doc Colby says) "high risk, high reward."  If it works, I can have perfect vision in that eye within 2-4 weeks (not 12 the months typical of conventional transplants).  I also run great risks from infection for the rest of my life (will need eye antibiotics every day) and can get a severe glaucoma from the operation, which would leave that eye blind.  I am a good candidate for success with the KPro because all my eye problems are cornea related, not in the back of my eye.

Daniel and I plan to travel by car to Boston for the operation on Jan 13th.  We will need to be there "at least a week" according to Colby.  We will then need to return every month for some time.  Ugh, Winter travels.

Please keep us in your prayers and good wishes.

I am so accustomed to miracles, I am expectiing another one.  My angels have been assuring me all will be well.  Dr. Colby introduced me to a woman in her waiting room who got a KPro three years ago.  She was not as good a candidate as I am, and she got the miracle.  She was very encouraging to me. Meeting her was one of my "beyond probability" events... never met a KPro receipient before, yet there she was, as if sent by the angel to assure me.  Jen and family gave me a Willow Tree "miracle angel"  [see picture of my angel collection on previous blog entry] this year.   As you will read in the linked article, the results of the KPro have greatly improved; there is much reason for hope. 

On Wed night the younger kiddos (Abi & Luc) come for five days.  Ron and his family will be coming next weekend.  We are looking forward to continuing Christmas at least until we leave for Boston on the 11th.  Today I'm putting a wreath on our front door. 

And Decewmber 27th is only the SECOND day of Christmas for us Anglicans.  And we can expand the Christmas season through the END of Epiphany; that is the first of March.    And so, the season of JOY goes on.

Wishing you all a most JOYOUS time.

Bonnie for BanD