Prayers Answered & a Wish Granted

Our sweet Violet is having an amazing summer. We were blessed to start it off with a perfect EUA showing no recurrence! Tears of joy every time. We are so grateful to God for His loving mercy and for His protection over our family. <3

The night before Violet's EUA, we kept her up late in hopes that she would sleep in the next morning as she had a late check-in time. Since she is not able to eat anything before, we wanted her to sleep through as much of the morning as she could. It worked. Violet didn't wake up until 10AM and we had just enough time to get her ready and head out for Seattle Children's Hospital.

Violet played games, colored a few pictures and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as we waited in the surgery center waiting area. She was doing really well with no food or drink.

Unfortunately, Violet's ophthalmology team ran very behind on this day. We didn't get called back to begin the process of vitals and prep until a little over 2 hours past her check-in time. Josh and I were very surprised at how well Violet was handling it all. She asked a couple times for a snack and we just explained to her that she needed to wait until after she had her procedure. She seemed to understand, but we were feeling so bad that she was having to wait for such a long time. It was almost 3pm at this point. (We were hungry too and I was starting to get a horrible headache.) 

Finally, Violet was called back to begin. We were taken to our pre-procedure room and they took her vitals and measurements. Violet got changed into her little hospital gown and we got a mask for her to play with so she could practice taking breaths. If you have been following Violet's story, you know this is the worst part for her. Every time the mask gets put on her face to make her sleep, she screams. It's heartbreaking. So, we were trying to get in some play time with it to help ease the process. 

Violet had fun playing with the mask and we were hopeful that it would be a little easier on her this time. Then, as it approached 4pm, Violet started to get really sad. I am sure that the thirst and hunger had much to do with it. She is always very sensitive to my feelings too and I was now dealing with a migraine. I was trying my best to not let it show since I needed to be strong for Violet.

After about 10 minutes, Violet began to perk up. The ophthalmology assistant came in to put the drops in Violet's eyes to dilate them. 1 drop in each eye and then repeat again. The drops burn. Violet didn't cry and she held still for her. When she was done, she said, "Violet handled that the best I have ever seen!" We thanked her and she said, "Seriously. I have had 10 year olds cry over these drops. That was remarkable!" Violet was really happy when we told her what a great job she did and that she was being so good and brave.

They came to take Violet just after 4pm and it was Josh's turn to take her back to the procedure room. For some reason, I felt like I needed to take Violet so I offered. As we walked back I reassured her that everything was going to be okay and that after they were done looking at her eyes we could go anywhere she wanted to get something to eat. Violet told me that she wanted to go to Menchie's to get frozen yogurt with strawberries. I promised her we would go as soon as her procedure was over.

This time, Violet didn't cry as I sat her on the table. She clinged to me a bit but allowed me to sit her there. And, when they put the mask on, she didn't scream. But, as soon as they started the flow to the mask, she let out a scream and a quick cry before she fell asleep. It is always so hard to see her go through this. All we can do as parents is pray for her, be strong for her and try to make the process as tolerable as possible. These last steps before the exam starts are always the most difficult.

Violet's exam lasted the full hour and then we were paged to speak with her ophthalmologist. He immediately gave us the thumbs up and we both exhaled, smiled from ear to ear and praised God! We spoke a bit about Violet's vision check scheduled for the next day and he told us not to expect much. This made Josh and I sad to hear because we are both optimistic that something may improve in Violet's vision. He explained that the damage was very bad to the inside of her eye because the tumor was just so large. He also said that he made his assistants pull up the photo of the first day he saw Violet's tumor to compare it to this day and her reduction was the largest and most successful that he had ever seen in his career. That's amazing!

After we were done talking, they called us back to be with Violet after she woke up from anesthesia. They brought us to the room to wait for her, and then a nurse came in and said we needed to go with her because Violet was having a really bad wake up. Basically, she was screaming for us. This was a first, so it panicked us a bit inside, but as we walked quickly after the nurse, another nurse was headed our way carrying Violet. She calmed down after seeing us but continued to cry. She wanted her IV taken out of her hand and she kept repeating that request over and over. It was so sad. We let her know that she needed to rest and drink some juice before they could take it out. Josh held her and helped calm her down. I felt so bad. My migraine was full blown by this point, it hurt to keep my eyes open and I felt very nauseous. So, I gave Josh the full responsibility of quieting Violet's cries. Of course, he did a great job and Violet started to drink her juice.

We were shortly discharged after they removed Violet's IV and we were all happy to get out of there after such a long day. Violet fell asleep right away in the car and napped the whole way home. She woke up right as we were pulling into the parking lot for Menchie's. Violet was so happy to get this much deserved treat!

The following day we had her oncology appointment. Violet had fun playing in the clinic waiting area and we were quickly called in.

Vitals were a breeze and all of Violet's labs came back looking great. It was a very easy appointment!

Violet and I had an hour between her oncology appointment and her vision check so we walked around a little bit and played some games. This would be Violet's first big vision check. It went by faster than I expected and I was really happy when I saw Violet identify some pictures with her right eye patched!

When it was all finished the ophthalmology tech let me know that Violet's vision in her left eye is 20/125. She said that the vision that she does have left is only peripheral vision. This is why her eye wanders out as it searches for things and because her brain is relying more on her right eye for the clear vision. She explained to me that as our vision gets further out to the side it gets less and less clear and that is all Violet has. The appointment pretty much confirmed what we had already assessed at home. We are grateful there is some vision as it is much better than none and we will continue to pray for healing and improvement even if medical staff doesn't think it will happen (some staff didn't think her tumor could shrink enough to save her eye either and look what God did there!). 

After the vision check we spoke on the importance of protecting Violet's right eye. It was determined that Violet will need to wear glasses with safety lenses to keep her vision safe. I was told of many children that have been seen after their vision was wiped out in a child's play accident and how heartbreaking that can be. A child turns around with a pencil and then all is lost. So, we have already ordered Violet's glasses and our little peanut will be sporting them soon!

On our way home the ophthalmology tech called me. She said she spoke with Violet's main ophthalmologist (the one that does her EUA's) and he was surprised and excited that Violet had ANY vision in her left eye. He wants to conduct a test of her retinal function during her next EUA. Wow! We are anxious to see what he finds and if this is a new hope. :) We know miracles can and do happen! 

Thank you all for your prayers, love and support. I never want to fail to mention how much it means to us that you pray and take the time to read and share our Violet's story. The power of prayer is amazing and awareness is so important! We are so thankful to Jesus for the healing that has taken place in our little girl. 

I would also like to share with you that just yesterday we were contacted with the wonderful news that Violet has been approved for her wish from Make-A-Wish! She was so happy when I told her and we both started jumping up and down with excitement! Stay tuned for a post in the future of where that adventure takes us. :)

God bless you all <3