We had my 2-month check-up at the Duke Eye Center today. It was the first time that we didn’t have an hours-long wait in the waiting room before seeing Dr. Mruthyunjaya. We had just settled in with our magazines, Kindle, books, crossword puzzles, snacks, etc when I was called in for the preliminary check-up and photos of my eye. My vision has improved a little since the Oct. appt; the pressure was good in both eyes, and Dr. M said that my retina is still attached and looks good. But though there had been no progression in the growth of the tumor, there had also not been the hoped-for shrinkage. He mentioned that if the laser treatment I had in the summer had not resulted in the hole in my retina, that he would have repeated the laser procedure by now in order to cause more regression of the tumor. He has not been able to take that route because of the detached retina and the surgery to repair it.
We will have to continue to observe the tumor – he won’t do the surgery to remove the silicone oil until there has been some shrinkage. In the case that there is a reactivation of the tumor or any progression, then there is the possibility that the radiation plaque therapy would have to be repeated (this is the procedure that was done in March 2011 that involved 2 surgeries and a 5-day hospital stay). The other option would still be to remove the eye. We have another appointment in 2 months to check on the progress of the tumor.
We are obviously praying that the tumor will shrink, but we have great confidence in God’s perfect and sovereign will for our lives. We ask for your prayers that God would give us grace for His plan for us; we are so thankful for your continued care and support.
