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!!!!