A finished butterfly! 
And a new eye!! So long patches! Time to "release" the patch butterfly :)
Ania recieved a butterfly habitat kit in her Easter basket a few weeks ago and the little butterflies began hatching out of their cocoons yesterday. Another heaven sent coincidence I think that symbolizes the major change going on in Ania's life right now!
She will watch them for the next few days and then release them out into their new world!
This morning we met with the ocularist and I was so excited! Ania was pretty nervous and anxious. In a conversation I had with her yesterday, she reveled that she didn't want a new eye because she "didn't want her good eye to be taken." I assured her that was not going to happen and it seemed to make her feel a little better! No wonder she has been so fearful!
When the ocularist tried to look at her she was pretty resistant but he was able to take out the conformer that's been in place since enucleation. He took a look at her right eye to see if he could find a good match for her to wear for the next few weeks. 
Here is the clear conformer that she has been wearing since enucleation and the temporary prosthetic he chose for her to wear. Ania will wear this one for the next 3 weeks to help condition and stretch her socket. It's pretty close to her eye color- maybe a little more hazel than her natural eye. The white area of the prosthetic is also a little darker than her own, but again, the ocularist will create her "perfect match" in a few weeks. 
Preparing the temporary eye for her...,
Once he put the eye in, she seemed pretty relieved and surprised with how simple it was. She wasn't ready to look at herself in the mirror though ;) That would not happen until we were back home.
Mike and I took her out for lunch and I just couldn't stop looking at her! I started to tear up because I was so happy to see her with 2 eyes again! I have grown so used to seeing her with only one, I didn't realize how happy it would make me feel to see her without the void. She looks beautiful- even when she kept sticking her tongue out or making silly faces at me when I told her how great it looked! 
Hmmmmm..... 
"I like it!"
When we got home she finally took a look in the mirror
So yes, my little butterfly is starting her metamorphosis to cancer free life :) By the end of summer/early fall, she will have her custom eye finished and chemotherapy will be completed. We are on our way and starting to feel the excitement of freedom from cancer!
God Bless,
Erica
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Ania does look beautiful! But she has always been beautiful. I can't believe its already been 50 days. I feel so blessed to know all of you--and look forward to seeing you soon.
ReplyDeleteLots of love, Susan
Thanks :) see you next week hopefully!
DeleteI have tears in my eyes reading this! I know having her 2nd eye back must be such a psychological relief. She is an amazing little person. I pray for Ania and your family all the time and will continue to do so.
ReplyDeleteI too have tears in my eyes reading this! Ania is such a strong and beautiful little girl! And she is very blessed to have such a great mother like you!
ReplyDeleteIve been following her brave journey and my eyes have welled up a few times.So glad shes doing well .Shes always smiling and has something to teach all of us about life. I praying that she can put all this behind her soon and go back to being a little girl full time.Love hugs and prayers little one!!! Xoxoxo<3
ReplyDeleteYou are such a beautiful, devoted family. Ania is a most precious little girl and is such an example to all. Her strength and courage is unbelievable. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Thank you Erica for always taking the time to share with all of us who care so much. Much Love to your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your loving support!
ReplyDeleteAnia is beautiful! No surprise there! I can't imagine how you felt the first time you saw her after her eye was removed, but I am sure your reaction to seeing her with this new eye was equally as emotional. I watched the video you posted of how her eye will be made, and it was fascinating and wonderful -- such artistry! Your sweet daughter is in my daily prayers, as are you and the rest of your family.
ReplyDeleteMy wife has bought a few pictures from you and I started following what has been going on with Ania, what an inspiration she is. Our prayers are with her and all of you every day. God's blessings to you all. What an amazing story.
ReplyDeleteJeff Hedgepath