The Doctor said "Hallelujah!"

It's been a few weeks since Phil had to go to the doctor.  It's nice to not have to go so often, but it makes us nervous when it is time to go...hoping that that all is still going well.  We had a crazy morning before leaving which is a whole different post, but got to the appointment on time.  We underwent the normal wait time of getting drops, waiting awhile, getting vision checked, waiting some more and then finally back to the room to see the doctor.  We were nervous and anxious to hear what the doctor would see during the exam.  He doesn't always comment while looking at his eyes, and often just says "Uh-huh", "yes", "Okay".  But yesterday we were shocked and ecstatic to hear "Hallelujah! It looks fantastic!" when first examining the "bad" eye!  We've never heard those words or heard the doctor so excited! Immediately tears filled my eyes.  I didn't relax yet, as he still had to look at the "good" eye but Phil and I made eye contact and you could feel our relief!  When he switched to the "good" eye, we were nervous because there was still a possibility that he would say that Phil would still need to have the major surgery in that eye (followed by the face down again).  As he looked at that eye, he said "This looks great!".  As he rolled away from Phil on his chair, he then said "We're done with both eyes."  WHAT????  Does that mean what we think it does???

He told us that they both look fantastic and he is so pleased. The gas bubble in his eye is down to about 30% so hopefully in the next couple of weeks it will completely dissolve and his vision will come back fully.  He acknowledged it has been a very long road but we finally made it!  There is NOT a need for additional surgery on the "good" eye, as the 3 laser surgeries were able to fully attach it.  The original plan with it was that it would just buy us some time while the "bad" eye healed up completely...but the laser surgeries have worked and no additional surgery is needed!  PRAISE GOD!!!!!  He is sending us back to the eye doctor for a prescription update in his glasses so that Phil will be able to drive again.  We also will then be referred to a surgeon to do cataract surgery, at least on the one "bad" eye in early to mid March probably. This is a minor procedure that he will likely have on a Friday and be back to work on Monday.

He has been released to continue all normal daily activity and get rid of the patch completely!!!! He is still not allowed to do heavy duty lifting, but can do normal lifting...like laundry baskets, sweeper, etc..HAHAHAHA! He asked about running, as he used to run 4+ miles a day, and he is not able to do that yet, but they did release him to WALK on the treadmill...so you can bet he was on the treadmill last night walking slowly, but happy to be on it! He has just a couple of eye drops left per day.

When we left we set up an appointment for 2 months out!  This is the longest we've gone in between appointments and it felt so good.  The nurse told Phil she thought he'd been there more than her the last few months (smile).   They told us before long it would be a year between visits and we said we couldn't wait for that.  As we left, I was in happy tears and smiling and Phil was very wound up and excited.  He talked non-stop on the way home and it was sooooooooo good to hear him so happy and upbeat.  We would be driving and one of us would just say "Thank you Jesus".  He has been so faithful to us during this time.  It's been a long 4 months for us.  A very long 4 months.  But it sounds like we are on the full upswing of this and God provided every single step of the way.   

We are rejoicing!  We are praising God!  We have happy hearts!  Even as I sit here typing, I'm smiling and have tears running down my cheeks at my happiness and thoughts of what we've gone through.  What a great gift for Christmas!  Definitely our favorite one by far.  We are so blessed by all of you...by your prayers, your thoughts, your meals, your gifts...this has been a humbling experience for us and we are so very thankful for each of you. We are ready to bid good riddance to 2017 and have a fresh start in 2018!!! 
"Hallelujah! It looks fantastic!"  Praying that is our motto for the new year!!!!

Happy to work!

It's been two weeks since I've updated.  There hasn't been a ton to update, so I didn't make the time to do it.  Sorry if you've been waiting.  Phil went back to work 1/2 days this past Monday, December 4 with some limitations.  No lifting or too much physical exertion.  That was a challenge for him but he did well. He came home tired each day. His first week back they had their annual Holiday Hog Roast for all of the customers at work, so it was a bit of a crazy week to go back...along with  HIS BIRTHDAY!!!!  He got what he wanted...to go back to work for his present.  He was worried about having to talk to everyone who came in...and although it was exhausting, I think it also reassured him of his value to his work family and how much they missed him.  After 9 weeks off, his body will take a bit to adjust to being up and around and his eyes will especially need some time to regain their strength. He was so incredibly happy to be back at work and spent a lot of his time talking to customers welcoming him back.   He is still wearing the eye patch.  This last surgery, they put in a larger gas bubble in the eye so it is taking longer to dissolve.  He is noticing a little bit of vision in that eye when he takes off the patch, so it IS slowly dissolving but will take some time.  The prescription in his "good" eye has changed after 3 laser surgeries, so he is not seeing100% clearly out of that eye either with his glasses, which makes his eye tired as well as it works harder to see and is also causing some headaches. 

Phil went back to the doctor on Thursday morning and both eyes are looking good and healing nicely.  There is still a little bit of fluid behind the retina in the "bad" eye, but he says it is okay as long as it remains sealed and attached.   He changed up his eye drops and told him that if he feels ready, he can go back to work full time, with the continued restrictions with the physical activity and lifting.  So, Monday he goes back full time.  I'm a bit apprehensive.  I know he will be fine...I just worry that he will over do it and something will go "wrong".  I'm sure he tires of me checking in on him and questioning if he is following the rules, but I can't help it.  He doesn't go back to the doctor for 3 whole weeks!  The longest stretch so far and that feels good!  Oh...I almost forgot. I've had several people ask me about driving...He is NOT driving.  So we are taking turns running him and making sure he is where he needs to be and when.  I am thankful for my Dad, my oldest who helps drive and Phil's work family that is helping out.  It takes a village, right???  We are so very blessed.

Along with Phil going back to work, I had two concerts this week. I am used to having Phil help with set up and tear down each night and that was hard for BOTH of us when he wasn't able to do anything.  He was the official supervisor and videographer at the 2nd one (smile).  So thankful that Grant helped me with the set up, both the boys were able to help at my first concert, and that Brock surprised me and showed up to help tear down the 2nd one. It was a long week all the way around for all of us and we spent the weekend recovering. Selfie before concert #1 that was also Kiara's concert.

So, that's the latest.  We continue to feel so blessed. One day this week I text a friend, "God is so good. So, so good and I'm sitting in the quiet of my room overwhelmed at his goodness."  It has been a long road, but those words describe how we have felt over and over through all of this.  God is so incredibly good and has provided for us over and over in so many ways.  We have been blessed and we want others to know that.  We are not completely through this tunnel of craziness, but we know that God will not leave us or forsake us and He will remain oh so very good through it all. 
Ways to pray:
1. Continued healing for both of Phil's eyes.  That vision will return fully to both.
2. Continued strength and stamina as he adjusts back to work.
3. That our story can bring the light of Christ to others...especially during this Christmas season. It seems a bit sweeter this year to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Blessings to you...