Its been a tough week for our family, and I appreciate everyones patience with me while I’ve been so vague about why. Time to share.
About a week ago, Brady and I noticed that from a distance, Dekker’s eyes were crossed. We would blink, and it would be gone. Being that I was born with crossed eyes, we figured we were just thinking of the worst case scenario. But then the same thing happened once the next day. The third day was a yucky day when Dekker woke up confused and furious, his eyes crossed very dramatically. He was having such a hard time focusing on things, he would actually cover one eye. I called my eye doctor and scheduled an appointment for him the next day.
Dekker did surprisingly well at his appointment. Never having had to take him anywhere other than his family doctor, I had no idea what to expect or how he would do, but he was quiet and patient and our doctor was very happy that she could get as much information out of him as she did. After a series of tests, she confirmed that his vision is all there, as is the clarity. He is, however, pretty far-sighted, just like I am. He will need glasses.
We will need to bring him back this coming week so she can put drops in his eyes. You know how kids can just stare for long periods of time? Dekker has always done that, and he kept doing it during her tests, so she couldn’t get completely accurate readings on how his eyes react to everything. The drops she’ll put in his eyes will basically make him unable to hold a stare so he will react more to some of the exercises. Information is very important, and I will take him to the appointment for his own good, but she has forewarned us that the drops are going to sting him pretty badly and I hate the thought of taking him somewhere, knowing he will get hurt. I know it is worth it, you don’t have to say. It just hurts my heart. When we know how far-sighted he is, he’ll be set up with glasses almost right away. Where do people even get glasses for someone so little?!?
I’ve decided to share the information today because his eyes are a lot more noticeable, and I see people kind of looking twice but not saying anything. I am having a hard time swallowing all of this, and haven’t really been up to talking about it, but I’m doing better now that the idea has sunk in for about a week now. I know, its just glasses. But I had glasses at 1.5 years old too. While I am grateful for it now, it was annoying at the time. It was a hassle that I wish my toddler didn’t have to go through.
With the whole experience, my son has changed. He gets frustrated much faster, throws more tantrums, doesn’t like things or people too close, and I’m quite certain he is suffering from headaches daily. It would make sense. Everything came on SO fast, which is what scared me the most about the whole thing! However, my wonderful sister pointed out that is exactly how Dekker comes into all of his stages and new life situations. Fast, and with gusto. If he is going to need glasses, its going to take a very short time before we figure it out and get things done to fix it. For that, I am thankful.
All of this aside, Dekker is a total sweetheart. He cuddles and sings and dances and smiles and loves. Same little boy. He just has a new face.
Please don’t hesitate to talk about this with us and ask us about it. We’re not embarrassed or angry. Just learning, and of course we’re a little bit sad that our pride and joy has to go through hard stuff. But as I so often say, God is good!!!
Prayers are more than welcome.
Awww…..I feel even sorrier for your tender little mother’s heart than for wee Dekker! Glasses will seem so ordinary to him, it’ll be like breathing shortly. Been praying about this since the first time I noticed, which was the day you guys came into town to tell us Baby P was on the way :-)) Never had a sense of alarm as I know “lazy eye” can come and go with kids . . . it did just the other day: at my place, it was quite evident but all the time at Boffin I never saw a hint. I’m SO grateful it’s being addressed so early though, because he obviously has trouble with depth perception/focusing like we saw with those different colors in the paving he was so careful walking on.
I wish I could spare all of you the drops……he’ll get over it much faster than YOU will, I know that.
I’m EXCITED for Dekker — the world will suddenly make SO much more sense and feel so much safer with glasses!
God bless you dear little family. Praying for God’s incredible grace to strengthen you and that this circumstance looks like a total blessing when you all look back on it. I’m grateful if you use our home as a pit-stop you know!