Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (big words for a post title!)

My sister and I had a very normal childhood as far as our health goes. No trips to the ER, no surgeries or procedures, no conditions that required us to see a specialist. I did break my arm once when I was 4-years-old, but other than that, we were just two healthy kids.

So I'm not familiar with the concept of taking a child to see a specialist for anything, and the thought of scheduling any type of surgery makes me feel a little uneasy no matter how basic and routine the procedure is, especially when it involves anesthesia.

Ever since Sarah was an infant, she has had excess drainage out of her right eye. And it's not just liquid, it's gross yellow mucus that builds up in the corner (yuck, yuck, yuck). I do my best to keep wiping it away, only to look at her a minute later and see it there again. Many mornings she will wake up with her eye completely sealed shut. She then will start rubbing on it which of course makes it red and irritated.















The people who are around her a lot are used to it - close friends, people at church, and family know it's just a clogged eye duct. Every now and then, though, I've had people in a store or restaurant actually ask me about it. One time we were sitting at Applebee's waiting for a table, and I could tell a young woman was a bit uneasy about it. She said, "Is she ok? Is she sick?" fearing pink eye I suppose? I just explained what it was, but I think she got up and waited outside.

Finally I asked my doctor to send Sarah to a specialist. He told me it was up to me, but I remember at one visit I just looked at him and said, "If it was your daughter, would you have the procedure?" He said he would. So in May, my mom went with me as we took Sarah to see a pediatric ophthalmologist. She was officially diagnosed with a congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction which occurs in 6 out of 100 newborns.

After the visit with the specialist, I noticed that the drainage didn't seem to be as bad. So I then put off scheduling the surgery! But recently, her yucky eye has been over-the-top GROSS, so I finally called the surgical coordinator this morning. She said they would review her file, confirm the insurance, and give me a call with the available dates/times.

So I patiently (or not so patiently) wait for the call.

Because I posted about this on my facebook status, I found another young mom in St. James who's daughter had the exact same procedure with the exact same doctor. I literally started crying when I read her words: Awesome. [Dr. Goodrich] is who did Natalee's. He is awesome. It gave me a sense of peace to read it.

When I do find out when the procedure will be, I will be sure to post about it. I will need prayers for a calm spirit. Sarah will need prayers for a quick surgery and quick recovery.

**Surgery scheduled for Monday, August 24th. One day before her 3rd birthday.