Hi Carmen,
I admire what you are doing very much. We need more moms like you to help spread the word about early vision exams to prevent amblyopia. I have recently been doing vision screenings at my childrens' school and have found a few kids with probable amblyopia. They, like many other children have never had an eye exam. The American Optometric Association recommends the first eye exam from 6 mo to 1 year, then three years of age and then again right before entering school. After that, eye exams should occur every one to two years. While many pediatricians are doing a great job encouraging children to get an eye exam at an early age, there are so many who do not.
It is great that Preston's eye is getting better. If he is seeing 20/80 now, he is not considered legally blind. That is wonderful. Legal blindness is 20/200 with best correction. What does his doctor think his potential acuity could be?
You are an awesome mom and Preston is lucky to have you. I look forward to seeing your books and helping you promote them if you need help.
Liz (Dr. T.)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Beau goes to the eye specailist
Today was the day I was going to find out what was wrong with our boy Beau. We were in the waiting area and Beau was getting to see other dogs that were there for some really serious reasons and it just broke my heart when I saw a mother and daughter coming out crying.
Dogs really become part of the family and to have to put them down or know that they have some serious illness is heart breaking.
People in the waiting room were giving Beau compliments even with a bummed eye, and believe me he was loving it.
Here comes the eye specialist, he ask if this is Beau and I said yes really nervous. He introduced himself and said Beau is a good looking boy. We followed him into the exam room and asked me a few questions and put drops in his eyes and waited to see if his 3rd eye lid would go down with the drops and it did.
He said just what I thought. I asked him what and he said Beau has Horner’s Syndrome, I never have heard of it. The Doctor explained to me that Horner’s syndrome is a loss of sympathetic never supply to the eye, eyelids and muscles that dilate the pupil. The sympathetic nerves are part of the nervous system that control “automatic” body functions.
I said ok will what caused it and what can we do about it? He said that the signs associated with Horner’s syndrome are usually unilateral (one sided). They include, drooping of the upper eyelid, constriction of the pupil sinking of the eye, and elevation of the 3rd eyelid. That is exactly what Beau’s eye looks like.
He said that in most cases, the cause of Horner’s Syndrome is idiopathic, or unknown. However anything can create a disruption in the nervous pathway can cause Horner’s syndrome i.e. trauma/injury, infection and tumors. We are thinking maybe injury, he could have hit his face or playing with our other little dog Dunhill.
For most dogs, the signs associated with idiopathic Horner’s Syndrome will resolve within 6 months. They say it isn’t painful.
In some cases Horner’s Syndrome will interfere with vision because the eye is covered by the third eyelid.
We are going to wait and not do any MRI”S at the moment and hope that it will go away so we will just have to play the waiting game. I have faith he will be just fine!!
It is a little bit ironic that Beau his patching buddy is having issues with his left eye, just like in our books.
He will also get better!
Dogs really become part of the family and to have to put them down or know that they have some serious illness is heart breaking.
People in the waiting room were giving Beau compliments even with a bummed eye, and believe me he was loving it.
Here comes the eye specialist, he ask if this is Beau and I said yes really nervous. He introduced himself and said Beau is a good looking boy. We followed him into the exam room and asked me a few questions and put drops in his eyes and waited to see if his 3rd eye lid would go down with the drops and it did.
He said just what I thought. I asked him what and he said Beau has Horner’s Syndrome, I never have heard of it. The Doctor explained to me that Horner’s syndrome is a loss of sympathetic never supply to the eye, eyelids and muscles that dilate the pupil. The sympathetic nerves are part of the nervous system that control “automatic” body functions.
I said ok will what caused it and what can we do about it? He said that the signs associated with Horner’s syndrome are usually unilateral (one sided). They include, drooping of the upper eyelid, constriction of the pupil sinking of the eye, and elevation of the 3rd eyelid. That is exactly what Beau’s eye looks like.
He said that in most cases, the cause of Horner’s Syndrome is idiopathic, or unknown. However anything can create a disruption in the nervous pathway can cause Horner’s syndrome i.e. trauma/injury, infection and tumors. We are thinking maybe injury, he could have hit his face or playing with our other little dog Dunhill.
For most dogs, the signs associated with idiopathic Horner’s Syndrome will resolve within 6 months. They say it isn’t painful.
In some cases Horner’s Syndrome will interfere with vision because the eye is covered by the third eyelid.
We are going to wait and not do any MRI”S at the moment and hope that it will go away so we will just have to play the waiting game. I have faith he will be just fine!!
It is a little bit ironic that Beau his patching buddy is having issues with his left eye, just like in our books.
He will also get better!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Beau goes to the Vet
My Personal Journey as Preston’s Mother
Part Three
I have been so busy the last few weeks that I have neglected my blog writings.
I want to start off by telling you a little story about my dog Beau; he is a 5 year old Weimaraner. Beau is Preston’s eye patch buddy in my children’s books.
I was eating a little bit of lunch before I went to help Preston’s class with the Thursday folders.
I looked over to Beau and noticed that his left eye looked a little weird, I thought will maybe he’s just tired.
I went to Preston’s class and worked on the Thursday folders, when I was done with them I went to run some errands.
I picked up Preston after school at 2:45 pm.
When we got home I ran over to Beau to take a look at his eye to see if it was any different. It definitely was, for the worse! So I called my Vet’s office and she was not in but said I could come in and see a different vet, of course I said yes.
Beau’s eye was red and droopy.
The stand in Vet said she wasn’t sure what was wrong said it could be conjunctivitis which means pink eye. She told us to put a cone on his head and prescribed antibiotics and an eye cream.
Beau’s eye did not get any better so I took him back to the vet’s on Monday andBeau got to see his regular vet.
She said that it looks like he could have nerve damage, or could be caused by a tumor. That is why his left eye is dropping and 3rd eyelid is covering half his eye and told us we should take him in to see an eye specialist and to take him off the antibiotics.
When we got home I was really worried and called and made an appointment for the next day. Preston asked me if Beau was going to wear an eye patch like him.
It happens to be the same eye as Preston’s weak eye, the left one. I told Preston we will see when we take him in the morning.
Beau goes to the eye specialist
Part Three
I have been so busy the last few weeks that I have neglected my blog writings.
I want to start off by telling you a little story about my dog Beau; he is a 5 year old Weimaraner. Beau is Preston’s eye patch buddy in my children’s books.
I was eating a little bit of lunch before I went to help Preston’s class with the Thursday folders.
I looked over to Beau and noticed that his left eye looked a little weird, I thought will maybe he’s just tired.
I went to Preston’s class and worked on the Thursday folders, when I was done with them I went to run some errands.
I picked up Preston after school at 2:45 pm.
When we got home I ran over to Beau to take a look at his eye to see if it was any different. It definitely was, for the worse! So I called my Vet’s office and she was not in but said I could come in and see a different vet, of course I said yes.
Beau’s eye was red and droopy.
The stand in Vet said she wasn’t sure what was wrong said it could be conjunctivitis which means pink eye. She told us to put a cone on his head and prescribed antibiotics and an eye cream.
Beau’s eye did not get any better so I took him back to the vet’s on Monday andBeau got to see his regular vet.
She said that it looks like he could have nerve damage, or could be caused by a tumor. That is why his left eye is dropping and 3rd eyelid is covering half his eye and told us we should take him in to see an eye specialist and to take him off the antibiotics.
When we got home I was really worried and called and made an appointment for the next day. Preston asked me if Beau was going to wear an eye patch like him.
It happens to be the same eye as Preston’s weak eye, the left one. I told Preston we will see when we take him in the morning.
Beau goes to the eye specialist
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Comment from Richard F.
A Comment from Richard F.
Richard is the director of development in the Rocky Mountain Region, of “Foundation Fighting Blindness”. I thought his words were very kind and, I decided to write it in my journal. His comment goes like this.
Carmen,I can tell that your blog is very personal and insightful to what it is like for Preston, you and your family. That's great! This will give others of visually challenged children an opportunity to see what it is like and how they can be empowered and rise above these challenges. Life goes on!Could you send me an outline or summary of your book and what it will cover and maybe even an excerpt from the book to read?That way I can get a flavor of how you write and your perspective.
Thanks for being a light in the darkness!
Richard
Shortly after his comment was posted on my blog, I became a board member of the Foundation.
I had attended a chapter meeting in the early summer time, and had so much respect for the people and the Doctor that I had meet. They are working so hard to make a difference.
I am honored to be on the board! I know that it does not directly deal with my son Preston’s eye issues, but it is still low vision and blindness.
Richard is the director of development in the Rocky Mountain Region, of “Foundation Fighting Blindness”. I thought his words were very kind and, I decided to write it in my journal. His comment goes like this.
Carmen,I can tell that your blog is very personal and insightful to what it is like for Preston, you and your family. That's great! This will give others of visually challenged children an opportunity to see what it is like and how they can be empowered and rise above these challenges. Life goes on!Could you send me an outline or summary of your book and what it will cover and maybe even an excerpt from the book to read?That way I can get a flavor of how you write and your perspective.
Thanks for being a light in the darkness!
Richard
Shortly after his comment was posted on my blog, I became a board member of the Foundation.
I had attended a chapter meeting in the early summer time, and had so much respect for the people and the Doctor that I had meet. They are working so hard to make a difference.
I am honored to be on the board! I know that it does not directly deal with my son Preston’s eye issues, but it is still low vision and blindness.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Mimi
Preston’s Grandmother Mimi
I just wanted to acknowledge Preston’s Grandmother Becky. We call her Mimi; she is my husband’s mother.
Mimi has been one of Preston’s strongest supporters and cheerleaders. Mimi sends Preston care packages as an incentive for him to patch everyday. She has been sending him packages for almost four years, right from the start! She truly does love her grandson!
I wanted to say Thank you for loving him so much and wanting him to get better!
When I first told Becky about my idea writing children’s books, and why I wanted to write them. It was because; I really want to help Preston and other children with the challenges and low vision. She was so happy for me and thought that it was a great Idea to write the Patch Land Books.
Becky wanted to let me know that her support was there in whatever it was that I needed to get started, as a children’s book author. I was very excited to hear the enthusiasm in her voice over the phone that it brought little tears I have to say. I could tell that she knew how important this is to me, to get these books out in print and start to bring awareness about Amplyopia and low vision, and also to help the children use the books as a patching tool.
Becky Lives in Indiana and comes to see us in Colorado as much as possible. She bought some mountain property, and we go there in the summer time and camp. Preston loves it there, because there is so much to do. I was able to bring some real life experiences into the book of Patch Land because of Mimi! Once my books are in print you will be able to read the stories and see how much fun Preston has on his adventures.
I could go on and on, I just wanted to make sure that people know she was a big part of putting all this together!
Thanks again Mimi we love ya!
I just wanted to acknowledge Preston’s Grandmother Becky. We call her Mimi; she is my husband’s mother.
Mimi has been one of Preston’s strongest supporters and cheerleaders. Mimi sends Preston care packages as an incentive for him to patch everyday. She has been sending him packages for almost four years, right from the start! She truly does love her grandson!
I wanted to say Thank you for loving him so much and wanting him to get better!
When I first told Becky about my idea writing children’s books, and why I wanted to write them. It was because; I really want to help Preston and other children with the challenges and low vision. She was so happy for me and thought that it was a great Idea to write the Patch Land Books.
Becky wanted to let me know that her support was there in whatever it was that I needed to get started, as a children’s book author. I was very excited to hear the enthusiasm in her voice over the phone that it brought little tears I have to say. I could tell that she knew how important this is to me, to get these books out in print and start to bring awareness about Amplyopia and low vision, and also to help the children use the books as a patching tool.
Becky Lives in Indiana and comes to see us in Colorado as much as possible. She bought some mountain property, and we go there in the summer time and camp. Preston loves it there, because there is so much to do. I was able to bring some real life experiences into the book of Patch Land because of Mimi! Once my books are in print you will be able to read the stories and see how much fun Preston has on his adventures.
I could go on and on, I just wanted to make sure that people know she was a big part of putting all this together!
Thanks again Mimi we love ya!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Preston Starts 2nd Grade!
Preston Starts 2nd Grade!
Preston started 2nd grade a little while ago, and he really likes his teacher Ms. Dey. She is a perfect match for Preston as an educator and person. She understands Preston’s personality and challenges and makes sure he gets the help that he needs. He does struggle a little bit with his reading so he gets the help that he needs a couple of times a week. During class time, he will have to leave for awhile, all to help him get to the reading level that he needs to be at. When he is done he will come back to class and join the rest of his classmates.
I have Preston read to me in the evenings as much as possible. He has shown improvement since he has started 2nd grade and that makes me so happy! I just hope with time he can get to the reading level he needs to be at. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
It is hard to figure out if he is having issues seeing the words or not, when he is reading in evening with his glasses on he puts the book right up to his face very close.
Preston will be going to see his eye Doctor the 1st week of Jan. before he tracks back on to school so, I will find out than and we will go from there. What ever it is we need to do we will.
I will keep you all posted on that!
Preston started 2nd grade a little while ago, and he really likes his teacher Ms. Dey. She is a perfect match for Preston as an educator and person. She understands Preston’s personality and challenges and makes sure he gets the help that he needs. He does struggle a little bit with his reading so he gets the help that he needs a couple of times a week. During class time, he will have to leave for awhile, all to help him get to the reading level that he needs to be at. When he is done he will come back to class and join the rest of his classmates.
I have Preston read to me in the evenings as much as possible. He has shown improvement since he has started 2nd grade and that makes me so happy! I just hope with time he can get to the reading level he needs to be at. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
It is hard to figure out if he is having issues seeing the words or not, when he is reading in evening with his glasses on he puts the book right up to his face very close.
Preston will be going to see his eye Doctor the 1st week of Jan. before he tracks back on to school so, I will find out than and we will go from there. What ever it is we need to do we will.
I will keep you all posted on that!
Preston started 2nd grade a little while ago, and he really likes his teacher Ms. Dey. She is a perfect match for Preston as an educator and person. She understands Preston’s personality and challenges and makes sure he gets the help that he needs. He does struggle a little bit with his reading so he gets the help that he needs a couple of times a week. During class time, he will have to leave for awhile, all to help him get to the reading level that he needs to be at. When he is done he will come back to class and join the rest of his classmates.
I have Preston read to me in the evenings as much as possible. He has shown improvement since he has started 2nd grade and that makes me so happy! I just hope with time he can get to the reading level he needs to be at. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
It is hard to figure out if he is having issues seeing the words or not, when he is reading in evening with his glasses on he puts the book right up to his face very close.
Preston will be going to see his eye Doctor the 1st week of Jan. before he tracks back on to school so, I will find out than and we will go from there. What ever it is we need to do we will.
I will keep you all posted on that!
Preston started 2nd grade a little while ago, and he really likes his teacher Ms. Dey. She is a perfect match for Preston as an educator and person. She understands Preston’s personality and challenges and makes sure he gets the help that he needs. He does struggle a little bit with his reading so he gets the help that he needs a couple of times a week. During class time, he will have to leave for awhile, all to help him get to the reading level that he needs to be at. When he is done he will come back to class and join the rest of his classmates.
I have Preston read to me in the evenings as much as possible. He has shown improvement since he has started 2nd grade and that makes me so happy! I just hope with time he can get to the reading level he needs to be at. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
It is hard to figure out if he is having issues seeing the words or not, when he is reading in evening with his glasses on he puts the book right up to his face very close.
Preston will be going to see his eye Doctor the 1st week of Jan. before he tracks back on to school so, I will find out than and we will go from there. What ever it is we need to do we will.
I will keep you all posted on that!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
A Review From A Great Friend!
Dear Carmen,
It is 6:33 am as I read your Blogs about this incredible journey little Preston You, and Yorkk have been on, I can barely contain myself as I am tearing up cause I love you all so much, The Doctors who made those incorrect diagnosis should be ashamed of they're incompetence, but sweetheart let me tell you that your writing of these Patchland books are a gift from GOD, Many Great things are born out of trials and I thank The Most High GOD that our Preston is showing improvement in his eyes (Hallelujah). Carmen this is my observations in reading your writings, first of all you are an Author whom writes children's books, not a writer of children's books.
Love You and I am very proud of you keep up the good work
Greg
Former NFL Defensive Linesman
It is 6:33 am as I read your Blogs about this incredible journey little Preston You, and Yorkk have been on, I can barely contain myself as I am tearing up cause I love you all so much, The Doctors who made those incorrect diagnosis should be ashamed of they're incompetence, but sweetheart let me tell you that your writing of these Patchland books are a gift from GOD, Many Great things are born out of trials and I thank The Most High GOD that our Preston is showing improvement in his eyes (Hallelujah). Carmen this is my observations in reading your writings, first of all you are an Author whom writes children's books, not a writer of children's books.
Love You and I am very proud of you keep up the good work
Greg
Former NFL Defensive Linesman
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Our dog Beau
Preston's eye patch buddy
Preston and his eye Doctor
Eye Exam
Preston and Beau Eye Patching
Eye Patch Buddies