EIGHTEEN Months!!

Today marks 18 months that Eva came to be a part of her forever family!!  Unfortunately it was spent at the eye doctor 2 1/2 hours away :(

Eva's First Ride in Her Carseat - July 31, 2010
 (not including the late night ride home from the airport!)

As I know I've mentioned before, Eva was diagnosed in China with a condition called congenital ptosis (droopy eyelids).  Prior to traveling to China, we had an opthalmologist review Eva's file and based only on photos she actually thought the diagnosis should be Blepharophimosis or BPES.  Today that diagnosis was confirmed.

BPES (Blepharophimosis, Ptosis, Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome) is a rare disorder that is inherited.  It has four main characteristics...eyelids that are abnormally narrow horizontally (blepharophimosis), a vertical fold of skin from the lower eyelid up either side of the nose; rather than from the upper eyelid down like we all have (epicanthus inversus), drooping of the upper eyelids (ptosis) and a flat nasal bridge - wider between the two eyes. 

In Eva's case the main concern right now is the ptosis (droopy eyelids).  She has astigmatisms in both eyes which may be being caused by the pressure of the lids on the cornea.  We have made the choice to have the first ptosis surgery sooner rather than later and it is scheduled for Thursday, March 8th.

I admit that I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now.  I'm hoping it's just from the long day and after a good night sleep I'll have new perspective in the morning.  I've been researching and learning about this condition for almost two years now, so none of what was talked about today came as a surprise, but I guess it didn't become "real" until now. 

In the big scheme of things I know that this is so minor, but it's still my daughter.  The idea of surgery with all it's risks, how it's going to affect Eva emotionally when we've made such huge strides with attachment and how the surgery could potentially change her "look" (that we love just the way she is) has made me rather emotional.  I  pray, and ask you to join with us, that this surgery be routine and without complications; that Eva feels just as secure with us afterwards as she does now, and that the results will be positive.  Not only correcting the astigmatisms but opening up a new line of vision for Eva.

 Eva was a trooper throughout the appointment, even having her eyes dialated, not one tear was shed.  It's amazing what she'll do for a pink dum-dum sucker!!