Alethea has glasses!

Eye Appointment August 2008

We had a big scare at the end of August when Alethea went in for her (now state mandated) Kindergarten eye exam. The doctor found a mass in her right eye which he was unable to identify--meaning it could be scarring or it could be cancerous. We were very grateful to be immediately sent to a second, more specialized doctor who indicated that the mass was scarring and fairly large. He was surprised that she could see as well as she could with that eye.

After talking with St. Jude, Dr. Sima requested that Alethea be checked out by the eye doctors there so we took all the kids out of school and made the trek to Memphis. Here we found out most importantly that the mass was in fact scar tissue and not cancerous in any way. It is speculated that the scarring occured from a fungal infection, probably the one that occured in February 2004 which sent our little angel to ICU. The other thing that we found out is that Alethea cannot see "fairly well" in her right eye. When using a sticky patch that she could not maneuver around, the doctor at the Jude asked Ali, "Can you see what is on the chart?" Ali responded quickly and matter of factly, "No. You put the patch on my 'see eye' silly."

So Ali and her "see eye" went to see another doctor who reiterated the news and also reinforced the fact that there was nothing that she or we or anyone can do to rehabilitate the eye or get any of the eyesight back that has been lost. She was given a prescription for glasses (her left eye needs just a little correction) mostly for protection of the good eye and we were sent home with directions to continue to see our eye doctor in Sterling and visit the eye doctors at St. Jude during yearly visits.


The kids pose in fun chairs just outside the new and awesome "Kay's Cafeteria" built by Kay's Jewelers

St. Jude Appointments 2008

A quick trip to the Memphis Zoo before we say goodbye for another year!

Oh, by the way. All of Alethea's appointments went well. Her heart is strong. She is smart and healthy--the picture perfect patient!

Making the most of Memphis and St. Jude

A Day at St. Jude must include a trip to see pictures of Danny Thomas--this one is made of tiny patient pictures, several of which are of our very own Alethea

The Chili's Patient Care Center Rocks!!

Dr. Saab just happened to be in Memphis and was leaving for Lebanon in two days. What a blessing to get to see her!!!

A quick trip to Mud Island--lots of fun!!!



Ian introduces us to a new restaurant he saw from atop the Palmer Hotel--BIG FOOT LODGE--our new favoritest family restaurant!!!

Going to Memphis

We all pose with our horse and driver after a wonderful and educational carriage ride around downtown Memphis

The Grizzly House sign--we're home

St. Jude's new Chili's Patient Care Center

We always have to stop in Sikeston, MO to eat at Lambert's Cafe "Home of the Throwed Rolls"

Sarah had her hands full--with a huge salad AND she was sitting next to Eli!

Our wonderful waitress, after hearing Ali was a St. Jude patient, showered her with gifts and everything Lamberts--including this stylish shirt, a soft and cuddly teddy bear and a squishy roll to throw

Memphis--our new puppy

Summer Fun 2005

Ali loves to slide