Well, it turns out Eli did need the eye surgery after all. When we arrived at the NICU yesterday, we ran into one of the doctors at the elevator bank. We asked how Eli's eye exam had gone and she asked us to wait a moment. She disappeared into Eli's room and reemerged bearing a yellow post-it with the pediatric opthalmologist's cell phone number on it. We assumed, correctly, that this wasn't good news. When we anxiously called him a few minutes later, the doctor told us the condition in Eli's eyes had worsened enough to warrant immediate surgery; he planned to operate that evening.I'm very happy to report that the surgery, according to the doctor, went very well. He expects the condition to stabilize and then recede within 3 weeks or so. We hope his prediction this time around is better than the last time.
It's hard not to feel like we've been kicked in the gut on this one. According to statistics, about 50% of babies in Eli's gestational age and weight group develop retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Of those, only 6% progress to the point of needing surgery. One of our neonatologists told us the unit averages just 6 cases a year. That said, we are told Eli should recover almost completely. The surgery will cause a small loss of peripheral vision, but it will not be significant or life impairing: he'll be able to ride a bike and drive a car. And it sure beats the alternative. Anyhow, please keep our little guy in your thoughts and prayers. He needs everyone pulling for him.
By the way, has anyone noticed that Eli is now over double his birth weight? El gordito (the little fat one), Paul likes to call him.
4 comments:
Well, needing surgery that goes well and should leave him with no life impairment is precisely the kind of long odds challenge we hope for. I mean, he's already escaped some much scarier long odds scenarios. Hooray for successful surgery!
I'm not trying to trivialize the stress test of it all, it really sucks to get that yellow sticky note. I've got all fingers and toes crossed that this is the only long odds challenge you face. And yes, I did notice that little gordito had doubled in weight. Hooray for Mommy for cooking up such yummy milk!
love & big hugs
A
Hooray for successful surgery indeed!
It sounds like Eli has faced a lot of challenges, but conquered all. Can't wait to meet him! Thank you for taking the time to keep us all updated; I enjoyed all your blog posts.
much love,
sarah
The two of you and Eli are so strong in the face of these rough experiences, it gives solace to all of us. The "little man" has become a "big man" both in weight and spirit.
Love, Grandpa Dave
I posted a loooong musing post about Eli, and you the parents, and mother's milk.... but it's lost somewhere in cyberspace! I'm a little disappointed that it is not showing; all I can say now is less inspired than my more insightful one that disappeared, but my feelings are the same: that little Eli is a strong determined kid, and that we are rooting for you all to be together at home soon. Lots of love,
Susana
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