Catherine Update

Wednesday Catherine had a routine eye appointment at Children's. During the exam the doctor discovered what looked like the retina in her right eye was detached. It is difficult to completely examine a wiggly 19 month old, so on Thursday morning Catherine was put under anesthesia and the doctor was able to look at both of her eyes and even do an ultrasound. What she confirmed was that her right retina was completely detached. She was unable though, to find a reason for it to do so. So she sent us to a retinal specialist this morning. This doctor dilated her eyes and confirmed what the previous doctor saw. His main focus right now is finding out why her retina detached and then we can talk about reattaching it. The most concerning thing to the doctor is that there might be something behind her retina, like a tumor, that would push on the retina and cause it to detach. He specifically wants to rule out retinoblastoma, a type of cancer that causes tumors behind the retina and might cause it to detach.

Catherine is in no pain from this thankfully. Her vision in her right is reduced to just light and dark right now. No one has spoken about the possibility of her vision being restored completely in that eye. I am not holding out much hope for that at this point. I remember vividly from nusring school my instructor telling us that retinal detachment is an emergency that requires surgery right away to save the eyesight. Unfortunately Catherine couldn't tell us the symptoms she was experiencing before her retina detched. I imagine it's been a couple of weeks.

Prayers for Catherine and her doctors would be greatly appreciated. St. Lucy is the patroness of eye troubles and coincidently (I think not!) her feast day is Dec. 13. We will be starting a novena to her tomorrow that will end on her feast day. If you feel led to join us, here is a link to a prayer (scroll down to the bottom). Thank you and God Bless!

P.S. - Also note today's readings!! - Jim