Anna's Eyeballs: The Update

Well, if you've been paying attention to my Facebook posts, previous blog post, or have actually seen me in person over the last month, you've probably heard me talk about my daughter's eyeballs.

She's really stinking cute, which makes the issue that much more difficult. So I'm pretty much going to pick up where I left off on my last post. I recommend reading that if you have no idea what I'm talking about here. It can be found here.

Anna's eyes are in fact going to require surgery to correct the problem of them being crossed. The patching did not correct the cross eyed problem, however, we have noticed that she does favor her left eye from time to time.

I'll be quite honest, we knew it was coming, we had done our homework and knew the problem wasn't going away. However, I hadn't quite braced myself for the REALITY that would set in the moment we left the Dr's office. I nearly got emotional enough to almost cry. I know, pretty wimpy of me isn't it. 

I think the thing that gets me the most emotional is the thought of when they will take her away to do the surgery. Either when they take her away, or when they put her under is going to be rather traumatizing for me as a father. I just can't stand the thought of causing her any pain. Ok...NOW I'm officially shedding a tear or two.

I would like to ask everyone that is reading this to please pray and fast for our little girl. We will be holding a family and friend fast on Sunday, September 22, 2013. And we wouldn't mind a prayer or two in our direction for us dealing with this...you know...emotionally.

Now, if you have any indication of concern for this adorable face (or one like it), you're going to be asking some of the same questions we did ask the doctor.

Q: Where will the surgery take place?
A: There is a small clinic in Provo that will provide the venue.

Q: Who will perform the surgery?
A: Dr. Yeates, an MD specializing in "pediatric opthamology and adult strabismus" (strabismus is where the eyes cross)

Q: How many times has Dr. Yeates performed the surgery?
A: Dr. Yeates said that he lost count of how many times he had performed the surgery. He does it at least 5 times each week. He said likely over 800 times.

Q: What is the root cause of the problem? Is it genetic?
A: There really isn't a known root cause. Many doctors-Dr. Yeates included believe that it's some disconnect between the brain and the muscles, however, other very reasonable theories exist.

Q: What are the risks?
A: The greatest risk is the anesthesia. Ensuring that Anna isn't sick before the surgery is important there. The most common risk, however, is infection (1/20,000 cases). There are minor risks that the eyes will bleed too much, or could have some other damage incurred on them.

Q: What is the typical age for the surgery?
A: Anna is on the young end for doing the surgery (9 mos). This is both a blessing and curse. A blessing because we caught it quick and so action can be taken. A curse because children demonstrating this problem this young, typically require a second or third surgery some time in their life. Now, the time span of that second surgery is very broad, but at her age it's about 1/3 to 1/2 cases requiring surgery a second time.

Q: Will there be any required medication after the surgery?
A: Eye drops will be prescribed. These eye drops will prevent infection.

Q: How does insurance work with the surgery?
A: Insurance treats this a required surgery- not cosmetic. So it will be fully covered.

Q: Do we need to patch after the surgery?
A: NO! The eyes should be exposed as much as possible to allow her brain to begin sorting out vision with two eyes. To this point, she has only used vision in one eye at a time.

Q: How regularly do we need to do checkups afterward?
A: Every few months for the first year or so. If things go well, visits will reduce in frequency.

Q: How soon after surgery for first follow up?
A: Less than 7 days.

Q: Do we need to patch in the meantime?
A: Absolutely yes! She needs to get used to having that eye have vision in it.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: This is something that we didn't have information available at the time. When we get the information, I'll post it here. I'm expecting around $2-3k for "pre-insurance" cost.

Q: Do we need to keep her from rubbing her eyes before/after the surgery?
A: Dr. Yeates said that expecting her to keep her hands off of her eyes is completely unreasonable, and unnecessary. The best thing we can do is to make sure she isn't submerged in water.

"In the name of Jesus Christ"

Sitting in my main worship service of my church (Sacrament Meeting) I came up with this interesting thought. The meeting was a "Fast and Testimony Meeting" so not your typical service with one or two main sermons. Instead, this meeting typically consists of 20-35 people randomly getting up out of the congregation to bear witness of the things they know to be true.

In the Mormon faith a testimony typically goes something like this:

1. Introduction- Your name, basic hello, or some witty comment.
2. "The meat"-
1. Story that relates to some Gospel principle
2. Testimony of some Gospel truth
3. Declaration of belief of some thing or another
3. Conclusion- Goes something like "and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen" (the critical part being that everything being done in the name of Jesus Christ).

Well, I don't know why, but for some particular reason, there were more people that wanted to bear their testimony than usual this week. This led to a very rushed group of people. In this rush, when they would get to the conclusion they would blast through the concluding phrase and the pinnacle personage with it.

The solemn declaration "...in the name of Jesus Christ..." turned into a trivial and rushed "...iname a Jes'Chr'is, Amen."

This got me thinking- Why is it so important for us to end "in the name of Jesus Christ"?

Here's a scripture for you: Moses 5:6-8

6 And after many days an ^aangel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer ^bsacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me. 

7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a ^asimilitude of the ^bsacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of^cgrace and ^dtruth. 

8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the ^aname of the Son, and thou shalt^brepent and ^ccall upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.

So basically, everything that we do should be in the name of the Son of God. Simply put, it's a commandment!

So that brings the question: How ought we treat the name of diety? And after thinking more and more about how the name of Jesus Christ was being passed over, I started to realize how many times in my personal prayers, testimonies, lessons, etc. that I have simply passed by the name of the Savior as a means to conclude.

There is more than just a conclusion behind the "in the name of Jesus Christ."

THE MEDIATOR- There is a very specific reason why we conclude in the name of the Savior at the end of prayers. This is because Christ is our mediator with the father(1 Timothy 2:5). Ok, what the heck is a mediator? I guess a better question is "Who is THE mediator?" and it is Christ. A mediator is someone who is basically a messenger to convey a message from one party to another.

Ok, well why can't I just talk with God the Father directly? Why do I HAVE to go through the (for lack of better word) "middle man" (wow that seems blasphemous to call Christ a middle man)? Well, I don't quite know THE answer to this one. 

My personal belief is that we can't address the Father directly, because we're not qualified to do so. The Savior Jesus Christ is qualified. Jesus Christ was divinely appointed to that role for one. Now also, Jesus Christ is PERFECT (aka- NO MISTAKES EVER). I don't know about you, but I've made a mistake or two in my life. Thus, it is only through Him and His Atonement that we can even approach the Father.

Jesus Christ descended beneath everything so that he can rise above. He suffered on behalf of every one of us for our pains, sicknesses, trials, tribulations and sins. That's a lot. Also, he gave up his life and took it up again so that we too could have life once more.

The moral of the story: Jesus Christ is more than just a slur in our hurried lives. He is more than just a concluding statement to a set of remarks. He is our Lord and Savior. He is our mediator with the Father, the only way to God the Father.

My hope is that we can treat His name with respect and when we invoke His name, say the things that He, Himself would say.

I testify and know for myself that Jesus Christ did indeed suffer and die so that I may obtain eternal life. I know this because of the way the Spirit of God has entered into my heart to let me know of this truth.

I likewise know of the truth of the Book of Mormon, latter day prophets, and the restoration of the priesthood to the earth in our day. I know it because of the Spirit of God.

I testify of these in the name of the Savior Jesus Christ, amen.