So much has happened in the six weeks since my last post. Anna visited the retina specialist this week, expecting the tests on her left eye to show that the macular edema was even worse than July. The visual acuity in that eye certainly isn't good, and probably worse than it has been in awhile. (Anna has never worn glasses, her vision usually being 20/20 in both eyes when there is no inflammation or swelling.) I heard Anna having an animated conversation with the OCT technician, and later discovered that they found the swelling in the back of the eye (macular edema) to be gone! Resolved! Totally unexpected for us, so we were amazed (and thanking the Lord!).
We were left with the puzzle of why Anna cannot see very well with the left eye. The issue (in part or in totality) is a cataract which has been forming. Because Anna's eyes were completely dilated, it was useless to test her vision with a corrective lens (the doctor tried, but Anna just couldn't see well). That test will have to wait until another time. I was thinking how odd it seemed to be leaving the doctor's office feeling relieved and smiling about a cataract forming on the eye of a 20-year-old. But we considered this to be much better news than the worsening of macular edema. A cataract can be removed (although the doctor does not want to do anything about it right now since Anna is in the middle of a college semester.)
Changes are still on the horizon for Anna because of these new developments. The cataract is a side effect of the steroid drops she has been using for years. We really need to get her off that steroid drop. We thank you for your past and continued prayers.
Anna continues to make the most of every opportunity that comes up at college. She recently participated in an all-day canoe trip from the college to the Susquehanna River. She LOVED it! Last week she let us know that she wouldn't be home for Fall Break, because she had signed up for a service project. That service project took place close to home, so we still were able to see her and catch up with her. She LOVED the time spent these past few days! It was a "mountain top" experience for her. The leaders of the trip combined their service with times of worship and reflection, and time spent experiencing God as He worked through them and spoke to their hearts. Anna's words describing the past few days were "AWESOME!" and "AMAZING!"
Between Anna's experiences of this past week and the stories I've heard of relatives who are walking through very tough journeys and are trusting and relying on God's love and wisdom on a daily basis (and seeing evidence of His care in tangible ways), I was reminded of these verses (7 and 8) from Psalm 34: For the angel of the Lord is a guard: He surrounds and defends all who fear Him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!" Anna is certainly experiencing this joy lately!
