update on Michael's eye

Several people have asked how Michael's last eye appointment in Minneapolis went. For those of you who don't know, or don't remember, Michael has Duane's Syndrome (and has since before birth). In his case, what this means is that his left eye's outer muscles are paralyzed and the inner muscles are extra tight. If Michael wants to see something to the left of him he must turn his head because he doesn't have the normal peripheral vision the rest of us have.

As a result of the Duane's Syndrome, Michael also has to turn his head slightly in order to look at things straight ahead, both close up and at a distance. Last spring the doctor recommended surgery, so in June Michael actually had an inner muscle of the left eye cut and then reattached in a slightly different place to help eliminate some of the head posture. The day after surgery the results were great. However, at the 90 day post-op appointment his head posture had regressed quite a bit and it looked like Michael would need another surgery at some point.

A couple of weeks ago we went to the U of MN for Michael's checkup and found that it had improved! The doctor said if things stay as they are now, Michael won't need a second surgery after all! Kraig and I had been praying that Michael wouldn't need surgery until the summer of 2009 rather than this summer, but we underestimated God who took care of Michael in a mightier way! Yeah God!

Thank you for all of your prayers and support for Michael.

-Kristin