Hello dear ones,
Betsy here.

Brendan and I got home late last night from our Wed-Thurs trip to Kellogg Eye Center at U of M in Ann Arbor. We had an in person visit with the ocular oncologist who specifically handled the portion of my July 10 surgery dealing with the eye itself. This is my first time seeing him since the surgery.

Long story short, he is predominantly pleased with the healing process so far. Left eye and surrounding area have decreased swelling compared to before, but that won't completely subside for probably another month he said. Additionally, several indicators he was watching around facial and eye movement checked out. (a known risk of this surgery was that I could lose more vision in my left eye - once my dominant eye). 
Then it gets more complicated - when I woke up from surgery, my left eye was unable to look center. That is still the case and my doc would like to see more improvement there.
The left eye ability to *see* is back at 20/20 (wooooohooo!!!!) but the severe trend toward looking right means I see double when using both eyes.
He believes the swelling and very significant impact of the surgery (which included removal of tumor filled bone mass from my eye socket and tumor tissue from around my eye) are likely the reason. So he thinks that several more weeks of healing and swelling decline are necessary, at which point he is optimistic this will self correct.

I have been pretty concerned about this and I tend to like to know what "Plan B" is, so I had him walk me thru what happens if that improvement and return of focus and full range of motion for the eye doesn't happen. He explained it could require out patient surgery to address turning the eye to look straight ahead. 
We will cross that bridge if and when we come to it, but for now, all good energy and healing wishes for my long suffering and hard working left eye are most welcome! <3 

I honestly was relieved to get clarity on what was happening with my left eye and to know both his positive opinion on self correction as part of healing and that I have options if that doesn't happen.
The visit was tiring but overall, encouraging. 

Other encouraging news:
I am a little less tired these days, with a little more energy for tasks and I can finally do things like shower without assistance, walk to our basement to do my laundry, and walk our dog on my own. I even walked from my Traverse Heights neighborhood to West Bay one day this week, a big deal for me as I haven't been cleared to drive, ride a bike etc. and therefore can't do my usual swims, hikes, etc. (not that I'd have energy for a hike LOL but hey, even driving to sit in a park sounds dreamy after 4 weeks home bound!)

I am regularly seeing OT, PT and a home health nurse and Monday will see an opthalmologist locally from some "in the meantime" eyeglasses with prisms that will help with my double vision and let me use both eyes in small doses. Still wearing the patch as doctor has ordered. Thinking I need to "bling" it up somehow... sequins, maybe? ;)

So much love to you all. Brendan is winding down week two back at full time work and your continued support and community care has made that transition a bit more manageable. My spirits have been lifted by the stream of cards and notes and dinners still coming. 

Will sign off for now. Love and gratitude to you, dear friends.

Betsy