"More of a Marathon than a Sprint"

Hi friends.
We wanted to give you an update on Carter's condition and surgery for those of you that have been following and praying.  His surgery went well, the surgeon was pleased with the procedure and feels as if it will help release some of the chronic pressure he has been feeling in his eyes.  They proceeded with the goniotomy in each eye, just the small incision.  He now is recovering with sutures in each eye, and we are on a pretty dynamic regimen of eye-drops which, sadly, are accompanied by some unpleasant side effects (fever, flushness).

Disappointing news came at our follow-up appointment, at which the doctor shared some concerns she is having about Carter's LEFT eye.  Based on her concerns, she feels a trabeculectomy in that eye will be necessary.  This is the surgery that I did NOT want him to need, and it makes me ill even thinking about it.  So, in 4-6 weeks, we get to do this whole thing again.  Between the eight hour round-trip drive, packing, pre-op doctor visits, quarantines, long waits at the hospital, painful recovery for Carter and sleepless nights for mama and dada, this was obviously not the news we were hoping for.  She told us when he was first diagnosed with Congenital Glaucoma that the course of treatment would be "more of a marathon than a sprint," and the reality of that is just starting to sink in.

We DID, however, feel God's presence on us in some very tangible ways.
I had overwhelming peace leading up to the procedure.
In the 4 hours prior to the surgery (which ended up being 6) that I was unable to feed him, Carter was either asleep or in good spirits.
He did NOT have to endure the invasive surgery, a HUGE exhale for me and Chris.
Some friends of mine from Duluth were at the same facility visiting a little girl going through treatment for a brain tumor.  I was able to visit with all of them during his procedure--a welcomed distraction and good for the heart :)
Kendall was a trooper in the care of Grandma Donna- 8 hours is a long time for a toddler to sit in a waiting room!
Carter woke up from anesthesia like a champ (we were warned about the possible demeanor changes).
The anesthesiologist thought Carter was doing SO well that he was able to leave the hospital early!

Thanks for your concern for our little guy.  The road ahead is likely to be a long one, but we'll take it one day at a time.  We just want him to be happy and healthy!