Sweet Things People Say

-One person said that she assumed Lulu might be my biological child because she hadn't seen my husband yet and perhaps he was Chinese.  (Smiles from me.  So sweet!)

-When Lulu and I were reading a children's book in which a redheaded mommy is bathing a few babies of different hair colors I pointed out how the redheaded mom was washing the baby with the black hair- just like us.  Lulu said that I didn't have red hair but "almost black" hair.  I have told her a number of times that both my parents had jet black hair (which is true) but it was fascinating to see how she "sees" my hair.

-People are so excited for Lulu's vision to improve and that at least she has the opportunity for the possibility of improved sight.  It is wonderful to see how many people understand even to a small degree what a blessing our sight is.

-We marvel at Lulu's linguistic skills.  Everyone notices how amazing Lulu's English is.  She is so fluent and so easy to understand.  Even at our check-in the hospital, when the clerk showed us a picture of her nine year old daughter who was adopted from China at age 1, she could hardly believe Lulu has been home less than 4 months. 

-Now when we compliment Lulu on her language skills, we comment on how nice it is to hear her thoughts but no longer on the fact that she has only been in the family a few months.  It is clear that she is ready to feel that she has been here forever just like we feel that she was somehow always meant to be in our family.  She wants to hear about the memories we are building together. She still remembers China before us and with us and likes to talk about parts of it and does so with ease but thinking of not being with us is not something she is fond of.  What a great sign of attachment.  What a loving, trusting, joyous daughter we are so lucky to have.   Even her big brothers have learned to compliment her on her strengths without pointing out what was but rather just to love and appreciate each moment with gusto.

-People are still taking the time to welcome Lulu home.  One of my partners at work sent me home today with 3 gifts for Lulu to enjoy.  She loved them!  I am so lucky to work with such kind and thoughtful people.  It means a lot to Lulu that she is so welcomed from so many directions.  Wow.

Lens Implant Day Photos

Goofy times.  First waiting room.

Wee hours of the morn.

Playing games on the iPad after tons of Uno.

Mom and Dad watch a movie in second waiting room.  Surgery ongoing.

After about 45 minutes sleeping on Mom in first recovery, resting on Dad with Pinky Bear in second recovery.

"If I eat Jello, I get to go home?"

Hungry girl insists on eating in the Thai restaurant instead of take-out on way back from hospital.  So glad she felt this well!

We wait for the fabulous, kind Dr. Epley to take of the patch the day after surgery.

Magic moment- the eye looks great and the lens is where it should be.  Now the drops and syrup begin.

Family celebration at Urban Coffee Lounge in Juanita.  This was a great idea from two loving big brothers. What a team!

Surgery- Success!

Yesterday Lulu had her lens implant placed successfully in her weak/left eye. She also had her iris stretched to improve her pupil size. The surgery went great. Everything was smooth and she was such a patient person. When Lulu sweetly rested her head back for her 6th pre-surgical eye drop, the nurse said, "Your parents clearly love you a lot, and I know I just met you but I think I love you too..." because of how well Lulu was participating in the whole experience.

We played round after round of Uno before surgery and Lulu spent some time with the iPad playing pre-school games. She only felt hungry about 15 minutes before surgery so she didn't suffer too much over the food restrictions. After surgery, she was totally comfy sleeping on Mom and resting and snacking on Dad. We also had a special surprise visit with dear friend Steven Han MD. This surgery was longer than the last but not as painful afterward so going without morphine so that she wouldn't be crashed out for 4 hours afterward was a huge improvement over last time.

We left the hospital with 3 prescriptions and a very large pink postsurgical cotton and metal eye bandage with patch. On the way home, Lulu was so ready to get back to life that she wanted noodles right away. We tried to pick up take-out Thai but she insisted on going in and eating at the restaurant just to get food into her faster.

Nana and Bapa and the boys greeted Lulu with a congrats present and we played board games until an early bedtime. Thanks to everyone who took care of the boys!

This morning we had the post-op visit with Dr. Epley and he took off the bandage and pronounced her eye healthy and the lens intact and in the right place. We learned about the work we will be doing to prevent infection and the rapid scarring that children can form. She will take oral steroids every morning for a week plus we have to give two different eyedrops four times a day. Basically it is three meds for a week and one for a month. Then we start all over with the other eye. We are definitely going to have to make ourselves a chart to keep track over each day. Lulu also has to wear the metal patch taped over her eye at night for a week along with no roughhousing, no swimming, no rubbing or scratching, and good hand hygiene.

We can tell that she is seeing differently now but in what ways and how things will change, we will see over time. For now, we can tell that she is not used to using that eye much as it became weak due to the combined lack of a lens and the fact that it was the more tightly turned inward of the two over her lifetime. However, she is already asking about things that she couldn't see previously like a painting on her wall. She is expressing lots of love. I think she knows very clearly how much we love her and how proud of her we are as she goes through all this. It's a lot and she bears it with dignity and joy.

Thanks to everyone for their assistance, prayers, and well wishes. This next two months is all about these lens implants for us in addition to some pretty special holidays.

I will try to post photos tomorrow.

Love to all, Karin

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Surgery number 2 (4)

We are on our way to the hospital for Lulu's 2nd US surgery and 4th of her life. Please pray for her surgery to go smoothly and for an easy recovery if you are a praying person.

I find myself in awe of the moment before us. Our darling girl has spent her entire four years without being able to see through a lens of the eye. She also has pupils stuck at a pinpoint width and not dilating in darkness. I can only imagine what kind of things she is going to enjoy seeing soon. She has certainly opened my eyes to many special things in life.

Thanks to the Kims, Dawn McKeeth, and Nana and Bapa for taking care of the boys so we could be with Lulu today.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone