Thursday: November 14, 2013

Jammed- Packed is the only way to describe today. It started with Cooper's speech therapy from 8 - 9 this morning.  He started his physical therapy at 9, but had to end early due to an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist.

This visit was a little upsetting due to some of the new information we found out. We learned that Cooper is suffering from Third Nerve Palsy. This is a condition involving the third cranial nerve (also called the oculomotor nerve), which is responsible for innervating some of the muscles responsible for eye movement Third nerve palsy results in an inability to move the eye normally in all directions. Injury to the third nerve can occur anywhere along its path, from where it originates within the brain to where it innervates the muscles that move the eyeball. Third nerve palsy prevents the proper functioning of the medial, superior, and inferior recti, and inferior oblique muscles. As a result, the eye cannot move up, down, or in. When at rest, the eye tends to look down and to the side, due to an inequality of muscle functioning. The muscle responsible for keeping the upper eyelid open is also affected, resulting in a drooping upper eyelid. When we left Roanoke, we were under the impression that his eye lid would eventually open on its own. However, we were told today that more than likely it will not. Here, they want to do surgery to put a "sling" under the skin to lift the eye lid. If all goes well Cooper will have, typically, 3 surgeries. For now we will be taping the eye open and patching his "good" eye. This will force him to use his "bad" eye if he is able. They are to do a vision screening either tomorrow or Monday to determine if he has any sight in his right eye. We are praying that he does!

After the eye doctor appointment, which ended at 2:00, Cooper was able to eat lunch. He ate so well today. The we met with the oncologist and discussed his Chemo treatments. This is where we learned that more than likely he will have to have radiation due to the kind of tumor. She said it is very rare a child with an Optic Glioma benefits from Chemo alone. This isn't some that we will be facing soon, it will be (hopefully) years down the road.

Once we got through all the appointments and meetings we were able to enjoy one another for a while. Cooper had a great dinner: fish sticks (yuck!!!), mac and cheese, broccoli, and mandarin oranges. We were able to play in the playroom, enjoy a bath, bedtime story, and milk. Cooper is now snoozing away.

Please continue to pray that things will go well and that he has some vision in his right eye.

Cooper at his first eye doctor appointment

 

Cooper meeting Micah

 

 

Cooper showing Daddy his dirty popcicle fingers

 

 

Playing in the new playroom we found today

 

 

 

 

Mommy's Fav of the Day: showing me his tongue!!!