6 months... and counting

Finally! The eye update from December. I have lots of excuses why I didn't update earlier, but none of them are new to anyone who is human this time of year.  So not only will you get this update, there may be lots of posts during the next month :)

So... Mallory had her doctor appointment December 17th.  It's been 6 months since we started this EYE journey! All went well and that is it... Ha!... As if.  My fellow iMoms know that this isn't true.

Really, though, everything went as expected.  Everything is looking good for Mallory.  Her eyesight in her left   eye is a solid 20/30.  We were really hoping for 20/25 so we could reduce, possibly eliminate patch time, but it was wishful thinking.  We have graduated to letters instead of pictures for her exam.  I know she is 4 and for the most part, she knows all her letters, but, honestly, I didn't want to make the eye exam more of challenge so we stuck with the pictures.  Miss Smarty Pants (aka Bossy Pants) did well.  She hasn't quite graduated to sitting in the chair by herself, but she is more confident when we go in and doesn't argue when asked to do different things.  Progress!  It didn't even cost me a trip to Build-A-Bear.

This is what 'perceived control'  looks like

Here's our plan for now... Continue with patching four hours a day and follow up at the end of February.  Completely manageable.  We ordered more patches (camo ones included, just for our camopatchkids Sundays) and more reward charts.  She picks them out along with the prize when the chart is completed (50 patches).  I currently own half of the Build-A-Bear workshop (and half a liquor store. Mommy needs rewards too). I prefer to call this positive reinforcement instead of bribe. We have had fewer days of tears and fights during the past 2 months. Like everything else, some days are better than others.  What I have learned with a 4 year old and patching- As long as she perceives she has control over the patch and the time she wears the patch, then all is well.

One of our camopatchkids Sundays

And finally, we received our bombshell.  The Doctor is leaving (yep, the same doctor as Easton's).  Our next appointment will be our last with her.  Everything Amanda felt/feels, I am feeling the same.  Six months, two years.. I don't think it matters with this PO.  She has the ability to make a connection with her patients. I think Mallory is taking this harder than I am.  She thinks we can go to Florida to see her (and Mickey and the Princesses) because of course the Doctor said to come visit her.  And, of course, she only likes to see
'girl doctors'.  Every appointment she takes in a 'portfolio' of her last artwork.  For Christmas,  she wanted to give her a screwdriver and tape (who knows why those two things). We opted for a more practical gift (caffeine).  I will be forever grateful for her quick approach with Mallory's eye.  Florida will be gaining a truly gifted PO.

So, here's to 2013.  Changes, challenges and choices!