To See The World Again...: April 11, 2014 Blue & Green Day ~ Donate Life

Today, April 11, 2014, we celebrate across the nation those who were registered donors and gave the gift of life and those that were saved by their wonderful gifts. Today we wear blue and green to represent the Donate Life campaign.
~ Over 27,000 a year are saved due to organ transplants.
~ Yet, an average 18 people die each day waiting for an organ.
~ Every ten minutes someone is placed on the organ donation list.
~ An estimated 130,000 are currently waiting for an organ.

April 11, 2014 also was our daughters last appointment before her cornea transplant surgery. She sported the blue and green with pride.
We were expecting to hear that we would have to leave at any moment, that it would be a rushed procedure, that we would be put on a list and have to wait....2 days...2 weeks...2 months....
What we found out was actually one of the better appointments we have had since this whole thing began!
Raeya will have her cornea transplant surgery on her right eye (which has the worst vision 20/700) on MAY 15, 2014!! We have a date! We can now plan! We can now begin to see!!
We discovered that because the cornea is a non-blood tissue it is easier to preserve for a longer period of time than other organs. Dr. Zaidman receives his donations from the New York Eye Bank for Sight Restoration. What happens is that any organ donors eye tissues get sent to this institute where they can preserve them for the time allotted and use them when needed. This means that corneas are almost readily available to those who need them. It is easier to schedule surgery because of this. The only reason that Raeya would not be able to have her surgery on May 15, would be 1. The doctor has an emergency that can not be postponed, and 2. The Eye Bank is out of corneas.

We also found out that her follow up appointments are not going to be as strict as previously thought. She will go in early that morning, and will be able to go back to the hotel with us that night. The next day she will go back to see Dr. Zaidman and will be able to come home for the weekend! She will have a follow up appointment the next week, and every couple weeks after.
At the 3 month mark, she will go back under anesthesia to have her stitches removed. Between 4-6 months after she will have the surgery done on her left eye. Somewhere in between all these checkups and what not she will be fitted for glasses in hopes that her vision will get better.

Of course with all good things there is always a bit of bad news...
Even though the surgery may be successful, we can not tell how long the scarring has been on her corneas. We do not know how long her vision as been effected. Even though she will be getting a clear view it may not be enough to help her vision. Her eye may have become lazy, and uncorrectable.
But we have HOPE! We are remaining positive and are trying to believe that after her surgery she will be able to see the world again!!!

Adding a little fun to every "field trip"