My son has the most beautiful eyes in the world. I am not joking. In. The. World. And now, more than ever, when I look in his eyes, I see the world.
We found out today, from a pediatric opthamologist, that Jack has a condition called Ocular Albanism with Nystagmus. His is very mild, and he does not need glasses right now, but will eventually. Nystagmus has a long history in my family, and is genetic. It is a gene carried by a female and only given to males. Unfortunately, it has plagued my family for generations. We started noticing back in February that Jack was having difficulty focusing. One night while we were watching TV, I kept wondering why Jack kept staring out our front door. Turns out, he wasn't staring out the door, but was using the corners of his eye to watch TV, instead of staring straight on. I sort of passed it off, but then we started to notice how his head would "bobble" when he was trying to focus on something like a book, and I began to grow concerned. I thought maybe it was all in my head (or secretly wished that it was) but then more and more people started to notice. We talked to a family friend who also happens to be an optometrist, who said we should make an appointment with our optometrist here in Wichita, who then referred us to the opthamologist. Today, was a day of answered prayer, and huge relief, when we discovered his condition is mild, and right now, he can see just fine. He will need to be seen by the opthamologist several times a year to make sure we stay on top of things.
For weeks, I have been crying and feeling very sad. I have personally seen the effects of nystagmus, as several of my family members also have it. I knew that it was in God's hands, but as a mother, I feared for my son. I want everything to be perfect for him. I would give him the world if I could. I am so thankful for family and friends who have been praying for us, sending encouraging emails, texts, phone calls, and hugs. Most of all, I am thankful for my husband during this time. He has been my rock. He has been so positive and encouraging. A shoulder for me to cry on on minute and making me laugh the next. I admire his ability to see the positive in everything.
We are so happy to have some answers now, and are breathing a sigh of relief. I had more tears today, but they were tears of joy this time! God is so good!
Take a look at these eyes. I could stare at them all day!
In other Shields family news:
We found out today, from a pediatric opthamologist, that Jack has a condition called Ocular Albanism with Nystagmus. His is very mild, and he does not need glasses right now, but will eventually. Nystagmus has a long history in my family, and is genetic. It is a gene carried by a female and only given to males. Unfortunately, it has plagued my family for generations. We started noticing back in February that Jack was having difficulty focusing. One night while we were watching TV, I kept wondering why Jack kept staring out our front door. Turns out, he wasn't staring out the door, but was using the corners of his eye to watch TV, instead of staring straight on. I sort of passed it off, but then we started to notice how his head would "bobble" when he was trying to focus on something like a book, and I began to grow concerned. I thought maybe it was all in my head (or secretly wished that it was) but then more and more people started to notice. We talked to a family friend who also happens to be an optometrist, who said we should make an appointment with our optometrist here in Wichita, who then referred us to the opthamologist. Today, was a day of answered prayer, and huge relief, when we discovered his condition is mild, and right now, he can see just fine. He will need to be seen by the opthamologist several times a year to make sure we stay on top of things.
For weeks, I have been crying and feeling very sad. I have personally seen the effects of nystagmus, as several of my family members also have it. I knew that it was in God's hands, but as a mother, I feared for my son. I want everything to be perfect for him. I would give him the world if I could. I am so thankful for family and friends who have been praying for us, sending encouraging emails, texts, phone calls, and hugs. Most of all, I am thankful for my husband during this time. He has been my rock. He has been so positive and encouraging. A shoulder for me to cry on on minute and making me laugh the next. I admire his ability to see the positive in everything.
We are so happy to have some answers now, and are breathing a sigh of relief. I had more tears today, but they were tears of joy this time! God is so good!
Take a look at these eyes. I could stare at them all day!
In other Shields family news:
- Only 16 more days of school!
- We are now members at Central Community Church here in Wichita. We have been attending since Feb. and became members a couple of weeks ago. It feels so nice to have a church home. It was important to both of us that Jack be in church, and in doing so, it has helped Ryan and I get back on track as well.
- Jack is being dedicated at church on Fathers Day.
- We are heading home next weekend for Jameson's graduation from college. I still can't believe that my little brother is old enough to be done with college.
- Speaking of old, I turn one more year closer to 30 this month....ughhhh 27.
Have a great rest of the week!!
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