Prayer request: My child suddenly lost sight in one eye, may lose the other

11/17/01 | SarahW

[SarahW]

My husband (Patrickhenryinva) and I ask for you to pray for our dear child. He's 13.

He might have an unusually-presenting glaucoma. The alternatives are even worse. If it's LHNO, he could lose the other eye in similar fasion before Christmas. He might also have a brain tumor.

Glaucoma is suspected because His intraocular pressure is elevated, and he has optic nerve "cupping" that is typical of glaucoma.

He has completely lost the central visual field in his left eye, though the peripheral vision is completely intact. Usually, glaucoma knocks out the peripheral vision and spares the central vision. Visual losses from glaucoma usually creep up on a person. His happened virtually overnight.

He came to me Thurday afternoon, inquiring about what the cloud that had descended over his left eye, obscuring his vision, might be.

Friday morning at the opthamologists, I realized he could see nothing. Refraction didn't help at all.

(TWo months previously he had a mostly perfect routine exam. His pressures had actually been borderline high but there was nothing else "wrong". Drops are not usually started with pressures like he had then, and I wasn't referred to an opthamologist, or given special advice.)

If it's LHON, which doesn't usually get higher pressures, but can have cupping and sudden onset and central field defects and pop up in kids his age, then if his case is typical he will lose his other eye in time for the new year, perhaps christmas.

The prospect of this is utterly terrifying and devastating. Some kids/adults only have the one eye affected, though. Sometimes their vision even comes back, sometimes completely!!!

He's going to see a glaucoma specialist thursday, with an MRI for the first part of next week to rule out tumors that can mimic glaucoma.

Prayer is so needed for my child. Please pray for him. There is hope. I'm praying alone right now.

[george wythe]

Lost a cousin to brain cancer when I was a pre-teen and my cousin was in his late teens.

It was the first time that I observed a dear relative to die slowly, and I was traumatized for a long time. [My cousin was like a brother, because I spent as much time at his house as I spent at my house. We lived nearby].

My heart goes out to you, since I know that you might be having many fears about the unknown.

One thing I learned about my cousin's experience is to never give up hope. I met other teenagers and young men who recovered completely, even though my cousin was not that lucky.

Keep praying, keep asking, keep looking, keep getting second opinions from other doctor.

And tonight, please receive my prayers.

May God lead you to find a doctor who can pinpoint the correct treatment to your son.

[sneakers]

Your child is in my prayers, dear. Stay strong for him. May God grant him healing.

[Phsstpok]

You have the prayers of thousands of friends through this most unique forum. Mine among them.

I have dealt with eye problems for over 30 years, a condition that has led to 3 corneal transplants, the most recent this last May. My eye problems weren't diagnosed until I was around 18, though they probably affected me earlier. It is amazing what you can learn to deal with if you have no other choice. It is also amazing how much you miss if you allow yourself to be constrained by fear of "what might happen" if you're not "careful." Encourage your son to enjoy every moment and to take every oppportunity that is afforded to him, regardless of the "safe thing to do" (within reason). My main regret is that I have let my eye condition confine me in what I have done.

Know that God is with you and your family. Remember also the refrain I live by: "I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."

[SandyEgo]

Thank you - I hope God WILL bless me as I pray for your Andrew...prayers being sent from Kansas tonight. May God and his angels surround you and those you love with all the hope and strength that you need at the moment, and throw in that miracle of healing for your "baby" boy. God bless you, too.

[backbeat]

Prayers are on the way for Andy. I have an Andy, too.
I hope you get a firm diagnosis soon. It's really hard to deal with the unknown.

[MEG33]

I pray for your son's healing and for strength to face the awful waiting and searching for answers.May God be with you all.

[Great Dane]

So sorry to read this, hope the news gets better, will be praying for your son and for your whole family.

I have a legally blind granddaughter, she has degenerative retina,s.

[jamaly]

My prayers go out for your son and your family.

[truthandlife]

I am praying for your son. I know partly what you are going through right now. The first thing you did was right. Request for Christian FREEPERS to pray. Prayers have sustained our family through all of this: ( Prayer request for my 4 yr old daughter (11/13/03)

[glock rocks]

Thank you! I'm going to be okay.

Prayer bump!

Andy (and his mom and dad) needs lots of hugs and prayers right now.

[truthandlife]

Prayer ping. Pray for another child and family that needs our prayers.

[2nd amendment mama]

Sarah - First of all know that you are NOT alone in prayer! You have asked the best people in the world to join you - can't you feel the warmth surrounding you right now?

Heavenly Father, we ask that you watch over Sarah's son, and if it is Your plan, to heal him completely. Guide his doctors to make all the correct diagnoses and guide them as they do what is needed to heal this child of yours. Bring comfort to Sarah and her family in this time of uncertainty. In Jesus Name we Pray. Amen

[justshe]

Adding my prayers!

[cowgirlcutie]

Thanks for the ping, Tonkin. I pray that God heals this child and that He gives comfort and peace, about this situation, to him and his family.

[Aggie Mama]

Prayers going up right now.

[swany]

You are not alone. My prayers sent.

[I'm ALL Right!]

God Bless your baby! I pray that the Lord will give you ALL peace through this trial, that your son's eye will be restored to perfect vision, and that the other eye will not be affected in the least. I pray this will be a situation that will bring glory to God, and help your family and all who know you to grow in faith and trust in Him.

It's harder to praise when things are tough, but that's when it is needed the most. God Bless your boy.

BTW, have you heard the song "God is God" by Steven Curtis Chapman? The lyrics really help me during difficult times. We lost a family member this evening, and I think I'll re-read the lyrics...hope they are helpful to you. I'll find them and post them momentarily.

[PeyersPatches]

Jesus said to ask and it shall be given. I asked him to heal your child and comfort your family.

[Exit148]

Andy will be in my prayers, also. I will also pray that the good Lord will guide Andy's doctors on the right path, as they tend your son. Have faith!

[gitmo]

I will pray for healing. By His stripes we are healed.