It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.. But it wasn't fun. Not even close. She's no worse for wear, but her mommy is pooped! She really did very well.. The first one was off within 15 minutes but then we figured out you just can't look away from her for more than the time it takes to blink and you'll be fine. We did 2 hours on, nap, and then 2 more hours. I was a harried mess by the time it was off (for the last time), but we did it! I have no idea how I will get anything else done the next few weeks, but we will manage. I am in cope mode now.. No more anger or tears (for now). Now it's just a new part of who we are and what we do and what we work / schedule around. I honestly think I should manage the President's schedule or maybe Kim Kardashian's in my next lifetime - too bad they both make me crazy. Their schedules would be a breeze compared to all of our daily activities - feedings, meds, patching, appointments, work, therapies, a little fun, meds, a nap here and there for Addie, and keeping the house going.
I really just wanted you all to know we made it, and I have climbed back off the wall for now. Your happy, positive, hope for the best blogger is back.. At least until we start the process all over again tomorrow. ;-)
PRECIOUS!! She even patches the right eye, which is the one Anderson patches! We have LOTS of pirate stuff around our house if you need to borrow something:) Anderson knew the difference between a real pirate (eyepatch) and a fake pirate (no patch) at an early age.
ReplyDeleteAs for the not getting anything done...I'm sorry:( Keeping the patch on is the most constant thing I've ever done. There is no break. No 30 seconds to stand up and stretch your legs if you are sitting, no 30 seconds to sit down if you are holding her standing up. My hand was permanently on his right arm for about a year. BUT...the fact that it comes off is a good sign to me! An annoying sign, but a good sign because it means she is willing to keep fighting. Not in the way you want, of course, but it took me awhile to accept Anderson's defiance of his patch as a positive character trait. It still drives me crazy, but at least there is something positive.
By the way, none of this is sympathy. It's instinct. Just as we instinctively love our babies, we instinctively want to help other moms who love their babies and maybe need a little extra boost right at that moment. Really, it's sort of selfish on our parts because we know one day we will need (or have needed) the extra boost and people sent it our way. We want to keep the cycle going so that when it is our turn to need support it is there!
Sorry so long...But, you're doing awesome! love the eyelashes
You don't know me from Adam. So funny bit of trivia to introduce myself, that is my last name, Adams. :) I am a proud iMom.
ReplyDeleteMy son, Austin, patches for the same reason that Anderson does. He had a congenital cataract which was removed. He also has an IOL. But onto the point. He patches a good portion of his day. He is done at 5, and not before. If he forgets and is still playing, I leave it until he asks or I see him taking it off.
There is nothing easy about this. It is a constant battle in the war to help your little Addie see better. So I read that it is "just" six hours. Since like some well meaning people in my life have asked why we don't do it through the night, I will say that six hours is a heck of a lot of time out of a 14 month old's day/awake time. We are supposed to patch 70 to 80% of our little guy's awake time. Which equals out to 6-8 hours. IT IS A LONG FREAKING TIME! You are in constant patch watching mode as well. SO that makes time slow down. It looks like you have a fighter which is why she is a survivor. So you got this and so does she!
Keep up the good/long/exhausting work! It will pay off.
Missy - THANK YOU for the encouragement!! It IS a long freaking time!!! Oh my goodness. ..it is so much longer than "just" 6 hours even on the days she doesn't nap or pull it off too many times.. .it just feels like she has it on all day no matter what. It's so nice to hear that it is going to pay off. ..I try not to look too far ahead and just go through the daily motions, but it helps so much more to know that this does work.
DeleteFun bit of trivia about me - my maiden name was Austin, and if Addie had been a boy, that's the name we were going to use. :-)
You made it! Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back. Just sending some support your direction.
ReplyDeleteThank you sooooo much!!! I so needed to get your note earlier this week. ..it was a bright moment when I was about to flip out, so, THANK YOU!! :)
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