Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Little girl, what do you see?

Just had to share some amazing news. Bella had an opthalmologist appointment today down at Vanderbilt. Her doctor said that the optic nerves look the same as last year which indicates that her hydrocephalus is stable and under control. Also he confirmed that the optic nerves are working a little we just don't know how much. During his exam, the doctor used a light to look in Bella's eyes. Her eyes began to jiggle from side to side. The jiggling is caused by the brain's attempt to focus on something. I was thrilled that he was able to see her eyes doing this because she doesn't do it often. You always feel like a nut when you tell a doctor your child can do something, yet the doctor doesn't get to see it for himself.

Here's the best part of the whole appointment. In talking to her doctor, he revealed to me something that no doctor has ever told me. As Bella's neurological function improves, her vision could improve as well. It might not be a huge improvement, but any improvement would be wonderful to me. I've been so worried about making sure that she doesn't lose what little vision she has, that I never gave a thought to the possibility that her vision could improve. On the way home today I cried for a full ten minutes at the sheer joy that my little girl might gain a little of the vision she has lost. I never let my heart dare to have that hope and now I'm full with hope. I know that Bella will never fully see. She may always just see light and dark, but there is hope that it might be just a little more. This is another example of how God has his arms around my dear Bella and that he is taking care of her. She is my miracle baby.

Peace to you all,
Jennifer

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Woof, Meow, Moo



Bella girl is getting to be so big. She can now "meow," "bark," and "moo" with the best of them. She is starting to cruise a little around my coffee table and is crawling over things. School has been a bit of a challenge because she's not rocked at all. There isn't even a rocking chair in the classroom. However, she loves circle time when the teacher plays music and has the class sing songs and dance. Bella will do her shimmy shake dance and keep the beat by bouncing her feet while sitting in her chair.



Recently Bella had her hair cut professionally for the first time. We started out with her sitting in the chair but had to put her in my lap because she was so upset. We ended with hair all over the two of us. In the end it was all worth it. Bella's hair looks much thicker now.



Other than school and haircuts, Bella and I were busy traveling down to Atlanta to see my Georgia family. We had a fantastic time. My dad and I went to an exhibit called "Dialog in the Dark" which is an exhibit that immerses you in the world of the visually impaired. You walk through the whole exhibit "blind." For the tour, there are no lights and you have to navigate through different scenes and experiences. I have a whole new outlook on Bella's world and what she must have went through when she first went blind.

I would just like to ask that you keep us in your prayers. Bella has an MRI in early November, and if it turns out well, then she will be able to go off chemo in December.

Jennifer