https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/pearceschallenge
Thank you!
Friday, April 21, 2017
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Pearce's vision check-up
This morning Pearce had an appointment with the neuro-opthalmalogist (do you all know how hard it is to spell opthalmalogist?? Still have a hard time spelling it correctly after typing it 1,000 times over the past two weeks). Anyway, we were very encouraged. The doctor said that Pearce's eyesight is improving and the eyes are healing nicely. He also found that some fluid had leaked from the optic nerve (due to the severe swelling) and run over the retina. He thought it was likely that it is this fluid that has caused the deterioration of Pearce's vision rather than damage to the optic nerve. This is really good news because this fluid usually dissipates and then the vision is restored while nerves have a much harder time healing.
So, we are very hopeful that Pearce's vision will come back completely! It's hard to see him struggle to look us in the eyes and to find his way around but, as I wrote, we are optimistic that it won't be long.
One thing both Amy and I had a hard time doing during the appointment was get excited. We feel cautious and afraid to get our hopes up. Little during this journey has gone exactly how the doctors thought it would so we are a bit suspicious. We don't want to be this way. We want to "always hope." (1 Cor 13:7). What a challenge though! It seems so much safer and wiser to be skeptical...but also depressing. I have no doubt we'll be given many more opportunities to work on this and figure out how to choose hope even when it feels foolish and risky.
A good friend today said that she has been faithfully praying and that she is like Aaron holding up Moses' arms. That's absolutely how we have felt. At times we've been too exhausted to pray anymore and we've not know what to pray. In these moments, it's been amazing to know that we have had you all interceding on our behalf along with the Spirit who "intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." (Rom 8:27). Thank you!
So, we are very hopeful that Pearce's vision will come back completely! It's hard to see him struggle to look us in the eyes and to find his way around but, as I wrote, we are optimistic that it won't be long.
One thing both Amy and I had a hard time doing during the appointment was get excited. We feel cautious and afraid to get our hopes up. Little during this journey has gone exactly how the doctors thought it would so we are a bit suspicious. We don't want to be this way. We want to "always hope." (1 Cor 13:7). What a challenge though! It seems so much safer and wiser to be skeptical...but also depressing. I have no doubt we'll be given many more opportunities to work on this and figure out how to choose hope even when it feels foolish and risky.
A good friend today said that she has been faithfully praying and that she is like Aaron holding up Moses' arms. That's absolutely how we have felt. At times we've been too exhausted to pray anymore and we've not know what to pray. In these moments, it's been amazing to know that we have had you all interceding on our behalf along with the Spirit who "intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." (Rom 8:27). Thank you!
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
still home...hooray!
We had a good night and Pearce is feeling well. He has been working for a few hours now on a new lego set. It's a bit more challenging with the reduction of his eyesight but he's still enjoying the building and we are so grateful that he's able to do so.
We are hoping and praying for some calm days now and the opportunity to process all that's happened in the last 11 days. Holy moly!
We can't thank you all enough...seriously!
We are hoping and praying for some calm days now and the opportunity to process all that's happened in the last 11 days. Holy moly!
We can't thank you all enough...seriously!
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
The latest
Hello family and friends. Sorry for the delay in posting an update.
Pearce was discharged from the hospital Monday. We were thrilled to be going home after our second stay in the hospital. Things seem to be going much better than after the first surgery. But then, unfortunately, yesterday evening Pearce began to complain about the eyesight in his good eye. So we jumped on this and drove back from o the ER to get it checked. The doctors checked his vision and it was stable. Praise God! Then they also checked that his shunt was working properly and it was. The pressure in his brain has come down to a normal level. Out of an abundance of caution, they decided to keep Pearce at the hospital for one more night so they could check his vision again in the morning. We are waiting on that check up but it seems that Pearce's eyes are doing even better. We are so grateful!! After being told yesterday morning that Pearce is legally blind and it's very uncertain how much vision he will get back, we are thrilled that he is seeing better!! God is answering the prayers of restored vision.
Amy and I have some fried nerves after the past 2 weeks but we are trying to rest in God's sovereignty and goodness even when all of this really doesn't make any sense to us.
We continue to be deeply humbled by all of the generosity and support you all have shown us! Thank you so much for your prayers and changing of schedules and visits and meals and words of encouragement and on and on!!
Pearce was discharged from the hospital Monday. We were thrilled to be going home after our second stay in the hospital. Things seem to be going much better than after the first surgery. But then, unfortunately, yesterday evening Pearce began to complain about the eyesight in his good eye. So we jumped on this and drove back from o the ER to get it checked. The doctors checked his vision and it was stable. Praise God! Then they also checked that his shunt was working properly and it was. The pressure in his brain has come down to a normal level. Out of an abundance of caution, they decided to keep Pearce at the hospital for one more night so they could check his vision again in the morning. We are waiting on that check up but it seems that Pearce's eyes are doing even better. We are so grateful!! After being told yesterday morning that Pearce is legally blind and it's very uncertain how much vision he will get back, we are thrilled that he is seeing better!! God is answering the prayers of restored vision.
Amy and I have some fried nerves after the past 2 weeks but we are trying to rest in God's sovereignty and goodness even when all of this really doesn't make any sense to us.
We continue to be deeply humbled by all of the generosity and support you all have shown us! Thank you so much for your prayers and changing of schedules and visits and meals and words of encouragement and on and on!!
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Post surgery
We are so grateful to be settled into a room in the hospital! Pearce is doing well...ready to eat his customary post op meal of blueberry pancakes. But with some stomach pain, we are taking it slowly. Still reluctant to open his eyes but we'll work on that.
We are ready to have some stability but we know our firm foundation is God through whatever trial we face.
This is a day to celebrate HOPE and that death didn't have the final say! There's no greater gift we can receive than the hope of one day seeing God face to face and having all of our tears wiped away and all things being restored...no more shunts.
We are ready to have some stability but we know our firm foundation is God through whatever trial we face.
This is a day to celebrate HOPE and that death didn't have the final say! There's no greater gift we can receive than the hope of one day seeing God face to face and having all of our tears wiped away and all things being restored...no more shunts.
Done
Pearce is done with surgery and we will go back to see him in a few minutes. Praise God!
Please pray now for Pearce's vision to recover 100%! He lost a lot of vision the past two days.
Thank you everyone for your love and support!
Please pray now for Pearce's vision to recover 100%! He lost a lot of vision the past two days.
Thank you everyone for your love and support!
Shunt surgery
Happy Easter! Please pray for Pearce's surgery this morning at 7:00 to implant a shunt that will allow the brain fluid to drain out of his brain and alleviate the high pressure. We are praying this will be the final surgery and finally provide relief to the hydrocephalus.
Also, please keep praying for P's vision to return.
Thank you everyone!
Also, please keep praying for P's vision to return.
Thank you everyone!
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