When we were a little over 20 weeks pregnant with Tilly, we knew she was going to be a girl, and we lovingly decided on a name for her. Her name had nothing to do with the meaning and everything to do with a city we love. You can read all about that here. After learning that her name means strong in battle, I remember thinking, "Oh, good, she will be tough!" It would not take too long for us to find out just how tough she would need to be. When I was 36 weeks pregnant with Tilly, we found at the end of what began as a normal prenatal checkup and ended up being a long, hard day that she had a cyst on her right ovary. This was seen through an ultrasound while she was in my tummy, amazing! At three months, she had surgery to have the cyst removed. You can read more about that here. She came through the surgery just fine, and today we have a healthy, vivacious almost-four year old on our hands.
Most who meet Tilly, are easily charmed and quickly fall for her. A cute little boy in our church told his momma, "Tilly is my favorite O'Dell!"
Her eyes express far beyond their few years! Ironically, it is her eyes that now are causing her to be strong in battle once again. Tilly has strabismus, which causes one of her eyes to turn in and have trouble focusing.
Three months ago, Tilly had a routine eye exam with an eye doctor, who then referred us to a specialist, Dr. K. She prescribed Tilly with glasses to wear at all times with the understanding that we would come back in two months for a check up.
This morning, David took Tilly for her check up, and we learned that instead of improving her eye was actually getting worse. Tilly is completely depending on her good eye to see, so she is not using her weaker eye all, causing it to become even weaker and weaker. Today, Tilly was prescribed with a patch, so for 6 hours a day our Tilly girl will wear a patch over her good eye with the hope that her weaker eye will become stronger and stronger.
When David texted me to tell me she was getting patched, I was picturing like a black plastic pirate patch. Not the case at all, as you can see from the picture above. The patches are stickers, almost like soft band aids that go over the eye. Tilly has handled this newest battle in pure Tilly fashion. She was grinning ear to ear when she got out of the truck with David. She promptly chose a pink patch to wear for the first time. You'll notice the above patch is blue. Of course because once we got home, she took off the pink patch and threw it in the trash. I calmly put on a new patch, and we have successfully kept this one on for the prescribed time limit!
I want to remember that today I was encouraged twice in less than an hour after Tilly getting her patch. A sweet stranger came up to me at the gym as I was picking up the children from child watch (I had already sweated and cried on the treadmill), and said that she had a daughter who wore a patch for nine years. She said, "Can I just encourage you? It is worth it!" I wanted to throw my arms around this stranger's neck and weep, what a sweet thing for her say. She did not have to acknowledge me or Tilly's patch, but she did, and she encouraged, and I'm thankful. The other encouragement came through a book and a song. I was reading the last chapter of Kisses from Katie today on my kindle while I was exercising, and her life is just a complete testimony of God at work in our lives. While I was reading, I was listening to one of my Pandora stations, and this song came on at no coincidence, I believe. He knew what would bless my heart today. I know, I know, I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is not that big of a deal. It's truly not. It could be so much worse, but I also know that Tilly is mine. All mine. And I never want her to hurt or struggle. In fact, I would trade places with her in a minute if I could. That's what mommas do.
So what does this mean? For the next two months, Tilly will wear the patch for 6 hours every day. At the end of the two months, we will see Dr. K again to see where we stand. In the meantime, we rest in knowing that Tilly will be strong in battle, and the best part is she doesn't have to be strong alone.
"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still."
Exodus 14:14
4 comments:
I have two friends that have had to patch their daughters' eyes, and I know it was difficult for them but also worth it in the end. You are such a beautiful mom, and I appreciate your sweet heart and honesty. Praying you all will continue to see improvement and that the patching comes with ease!
The first thing I saw as a momma with a daughter that went through the same thing, was that her "weak eye" was looking straight at that camera when her patch was on!!! THAT'S A GREAT SIGN MOMMA!!!!!
Thank you, Jenny and Christina, for your sweet words of encouragement! God has just loved on my heart today through sweet, sweet friends who are taking time to love and encourage! So many friends have come forward and said that they personally have dealt with this in their own families or they know someone who has. Sometimes, it is just nice to know you aren't alone! SO, thanks for ministering to my momma heart!!
Christina said the exact thing I was going to tell you!!! Jesus will never leave you or forsake you!! You & Tilly are HIS!!! I'll be praying for devine wisdom for your doctor over the next few months! Most of all, I'll be praying for you & Tilly!! Keep the Faith & stay strong, Heather!! Love you!!
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