Update On Lamar's Eye

First of all I want to thank everyone who has commented, emailed and telephoned, prayed and otherwise shown their love to us during Lamar's ordeal with his eye. It's such a comfort to us to know that you are there for us, and we love you all.

I titled this an "update" but there's not a whole lot of new information about Lamar's eye condition at this moment.

We've been to Lamar's family doctor and his eye doctors every day this week until today, Thursday, for more tests and checkups. Lamar had a carotid doppler ultrasound on the arteries in his neck on Wednesday to check for blockages, and he had blood drawn for just about every kind of test you can imagine, including cholesterol and blood glucose.

Lamar's blood pressure and blood sugar was a little high when they checked it in the Dr's office on Wednesday morning but that could be attributed to stress and pain. They'll be keeping a watch on that and we're now waiting on the results of the blood work and the carotid doppler, but no word as of 3 pm Thursday, right now.

Lamar has already had a CT scan and an MRI of his head to check for strokes or any other abnormalities in his vascular system in his brain, both negative. That's a relief in one way, but with those obvious possible causes ruled out, it just deepens the mystery and raises yet more questions as to why Lamar's eye is so sick.

While we were in Jonesboro on Wednesday, Lamar had another episode of sharp pains in his eye and radiating through the left side of his head. He called his retina specialist in Memphis and he advised him to get to his eye specialist in Jonesboro as quickly as possible, which we did.

They examined him and found that the hemorhaging was a little worse and possibly the inflammation may have been a little worse, but otherwise no other changes that they could see. By this time we were getting a little impatient with the doctor because he's been pretty close mouthed with us, not wanting to spend any time answering questions and he's been pretty abrupt with us.

Jessica was with us yesterday and between Jessica, me and Lamar we finally pinned the doctor down and pretty much forced him to answer some of our questions about Lamar's eye condition.

Lamar DOES NOT have long term glaucoma. Any above normal pressure is considered to be glaucoma, even if it is caused by an injury or illness and is temporary. As soon as the pressure subsided in Lamar's eye he was no longer considered to have glaucoma.

So that's one thing we're thankful for, that he doesn't have long term glaucoma. At least now we know he won't have to have medicine the rest of his life for that and his right eye should be okay.

They still don't know what's wrong with Lamar's eye, what started this problem to begin with. They've tested for multiple things and so far have no answers for us. The doctor did say that the vision loss in Lamar's eye is probably permanent and that it was caused by a stroke, or hemorhage, and also clotting, or a thrombosis, in the back of the eye.

Both the stroke and the thrombosis were caused by a sudden rise in eye pressure, which was in turn caused by severe inflammation, and there's where the mystery begins. They just don't know why Lamar's eye became so inflamed so quickly.

At this point they are proceeding with the theory that Lamar may have some kind of rare and seldom seen viral infection in or behind his eye and we are waiting to see an infectious disease specialist in Jonesboro as soon as they call us with an appointment time.

They don't think at this time that Lamar's other eye is affected or will be affected, and they don't think that whatever Lamar has is contagious. But they also admit that they're shooting in the dark, no pun at all intended, and that the medicines they're giving him are just educated guesses.

The medicines have relieved the pressure in his eye and it's down well below dangerous limits, thank God. His eye is not as blood shot and swollen on the outside, but they say the inside of his eye is still very inflamed and about as bad as it can be. They also said to expect it to get even worse.

Right now Lamar still has 20/20 vision in the outer half of his left eye, but from the center of his eye toward his nose his vision is nearly gone. He can still see light and shadows and some shapes and movement, but that's about it.

So for now we wait. We still have an appointment to see the retina specialist on Friday at 2 pm Central time. We're waiting to hear from the infectious disease specialist so we can set up an appointment with him. And in the meantime Lamar's eye is no better. If anything it's a little worse.

Our life for the last week has consisted of medical tests and doctor's apppointments and we still have no real answers, other than the fact that more than likely Lamar's vision loss in that eye is permanent and will never improve.

This crisis is far from over and our lives are in limbo right now, or so it seems to us. As long as this uncertainty with Lamar's eye hangs over our heads we're just taking it day by day and making no long term plans.

We hope to get an accurate diagnosis soon so that they can begin treating Lamar with the right medications and that he'll recover full vision, but we're also aware that may never happen. Our faith is in our God and Lamar's life and health is in His hands. We rely on the Great Physician and pray that He will guide the physicians who are treating Lamar.

What else can we do?

I know that many of you won't read this post because it's not my usual ramblings but I also know that many of you truly care and are concerned for us, and I cannot fully express how thankful and blessed we are that you love us, care for us and pray for us.

Just know that we love you, dear family and friends, and if you're praying for Lamar, please continue to pray.

Hopefully I'll have better news for you by the next time I post, and you can be sure if we learn anything new I'll post it as soon as possible. Otherwise, I'll be back Saturday for my Sunday Dinner post.

Y'all have a blessed Thursday and rest of your week.