My daughter may be going blind

[PapaBear]

I got a call from my ex a few hours ago with the results of my 15 year old daughter's trip to the eye doctor. Apparently, my ex never told me that since Kalee was 8, she had been diagnosed with having an eye condition due to toxoplasmosis. She has a habit of keeping stuff like that from me. Like the time she didn't tell me that Kalee had fallen through thin ice in a pond, and my son saved her life.

What the doc said is, with her left eye, it's like looking at a picture and only seeing the frame. Everything in the middle is just a gray blob. She said it will never get better. She has two appointments with specialists to try to keep it from happening to her right eye.

I'm kinda floored right now. Kalee is taking it fairly well, since they told her she can still play basketball (her life's passion). I just can't stand the thought that these eyes may not work.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/kaleeeys.jpg

I'm going to do as much research about this condition as I can. If anyone is familiar with this, I'd appreciate any advice.

[BMoses]

PapaBear, it tears at my heart to hear this. If I may suggest emailing Dr Steve. He has helped me out on a couple of things and has a very good way of explaining. drsteve202@gmail.com

[Fezticle98]

Wow, that's tough news. I'm glad that your daughter is dealing well with it so far. Just do your best to keep supporting her, even though your ex wife may cause difficulties.

[suggums]

PB, great picture. I don't have kids and wont pretend I know what it's like, but that shot just drove it home. Keep researching and continue to search for options, thats the best thing you can as her father. The more you can know going into this, the better things may turn out. Stay strong budday!

[Hottub]

Papa. I also have toxoplasmosis. It's kind of like herpes. It never goes away. It is normally transmitted to the fetus while the mother is pregnant.
I have had 2 occurrences. With the latest one, my left eye is still not 100%. It can be treated with antibiotics and steroids. In my case, the flare up affected the jelly in my cornea. I still have some "floaters", which can only be removed surgically.
If caught intime, the effects are minimal, to nothing. If you let it wait, the retina is overtaken by the parasite.

PM me

[PapaBear]

Papa. I also have toxoplasmosis. It's kind of like herpes. It never goes away. It is normally transmitted to the fetus while the mother is pregnant.
I have had 2 occurrences. With the latest one, my left eye is still not 100%. It can be treated with antibiotics and steroids. In my case, the flare up affected the jelly in my cornea. I still have some "floaters", which can only be removed surgically.
If caught intime, the effects are minimal, to nothing. If you let it wait, the retina is overtaken by the parasite.

PM me
My ex said that it had caused scarring on her retina (or maybe she said cornea). Apparently, she did let it go too long without being treated, because they said her left eye will never get better. And yes... She said she got it when my ex got sick while pregnant. They say it's usually caused by pregnant women changing cat litter boxes. We had a back then, but I don't remember if she ever changed the litter.

[tele7]

Tough news indeed PB. I really hope things work out for the best.

[WhistlePig]

Aww, I'm so sorry PB! That's awful news. That picture tore my heart out. I couldn't imagine if it was my child. Wow, that toxoplasmosis is serious shit! I'm glad I made my husband change the cat litter while I was pregnant.

Find out as much as you can and get 2nd and 3rd opinions! Talk to some specialists, too. Good luck, sweetie.

[BoondockSaint]

Shit, PB. I have nothing to offer except thoughts and encouragement. There have been so many advances on eyesight treatment in the last few years that there is hope.

[PapaBear]

I found a MESSAGE BOARD (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/ronfezdashboardhulaMedium.jpg) that looks very helpful. It seems to deal mostly with how toxoplasmosis effects the eyes. I'm going to have to do a lot of printing. Kalee only comes over here about twice a month, and her mom doesn't have internet access.

[Yerdaddy]

All I can say is I wish you both all the best of luck and I hope you can find the best treatment available. I think she's lucky to have you as a dad.

[sailor]

My ex said that it had caused scarring on her retina (or maybe she said cornea). Apparently, she did let it go too long without being treated, because they said her left eye will never get better. And yes... She said she got it when my ex got sick while pregnant. They say it's usually caused by pregnant women changing cat litter boxes. We had a back then, but I don't remember if she ever changed the litter.

this is one of the main things my wife and i are scared of since we have cats. i believe it's airborne so she wouldn't have to physically touch the litter. i'd actually never heard of it till my wife told me, and i bet it's common to not have any clue. i really hope you are able to contain it with your daughter.

[Snacks]

Good luck with your daughter, I wish you the best and hope everything works out for your family.

[Gvac]

I'm sending out all my best to you and your daughter PapaBear. Keep the faith brother.

[EliSnow]

I'm sorry to hear that PBear. I hope things turn out well for you and your daughter.

[topless_mike]

:sad:
i always changed the cat litter because i heard of this.
i want to run home and hug my son now.
cant even imagine what you are feeling.

[A.J.]

All I can say is I wish you both all the best of luck and I hope you can find the best treatment available. I think she's lucky to have you as a dad.

What Yerdaddy said. I'll have a good thought for you and your daughter.

[Dougie Brootal]

damn dude, sorry to hear that. my buddy just had a baby with a girl and she took drugs while pregnant and something like that happened. very tough to deal with. i hope it all works out.

[buzzard]

PapaBear,I send my best thoughts to you and your daughter! having had 3 eye surgeries I know somewhat how rough the whole process can be.Stay strong we're all pulling for you!:thumbup:
Sincerely,buzzy

[Furtherman]

PapaBear, this is heartbreaking... I'm wishing you and your daughter all the best.

[Kevin]

Your one the good ones on the board.,Papa. I wish you and your daughter the best of luck.

[ralphbxny]

I cant say anything other than you have the support of your board buddays. Stay strong and know you have some place to help ya stay strong.

Good luck Brother!

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

So sorry to hear this. I wish you and your daughter nothing but the best.

[Aggie]

I'm SO sorry to hear this. You're doing the right thing, research all of your options and just give her all the love, support and understanding she needs.

Maybe I will let you beat me in football pick em...:sad:

[thepaulo]

crap.....

[Thebazile78]

I got a call from my ex a few hours ago with the results of my 15 year old daughter's trip to the eye doctor. Apparently, my ex never told me that since Kalee was 8, she had been diagnosed with having an eye condition due to toxoplasmosis. She has a habit of keeping stuff like that from me. Like the time she didn't tell me that Kalee had fallen through thin ice in a pond, and my son saved her life.

What the doc said is, with her left eye, it's like looking at a picture and only seeing the frame. Everything in the middle is just a gray blob. She said it will never get better. She has two appointments with specialists to try to keep it from happening to her right eye.

I'm kinda floored right now. Kalee is taking it fairly well, since they told her she can still play basketball (her life's passion). I just can't stand the thought that these eyes may not work.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/kaleeeys.jpg

I'm going to do as much research about this condition as I can. If anyone is familiar with this, I'd appreciate any advice.

That sounds like what my mother has.

She's presbyopic ("far-sighted") but legally blind in one eye due to toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that most people associate with cat feces (if you've seen the movie Trainspotting, one of the peripheral characters dies from it) because it lives in cat feces.

Here's a link to the CDC's Fact Sheet about Toxoplasmosis:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm

There's a quickie bullet-point about ocular toxoplasmosis (which sounds like what your daughter has been diagnosed with):

Symptoms of ocular toxoplasmosis can include reduced vision, blurred vision, pain (often with bright light), redness of the eye, and sometimes tearing. Ophthalmologists sometimes prescribe medicine to treat active disease. Whether or not medication is recommended depends on the size of the eye lesion, the location, and the characteristics of the lesion (acute active, versus chronic not progressing). An opthamologist may provide the best care for ocular toxoplasmosis.

I know it's hard for exes to communicate with each other, but if your daughter isn't under an opthamalogist's care (not an optometrist; opthamologists have different training in eye conditions from optometrists and usually count as specialists) she probably should be to make sure she has the best chance for treatment if, god forbid, this gets worse.

[Thebazile78]

this is one of the main things my wife and i are scared of since we have cats. i believe it's airborne so she wouldn't have to physically touch the litter. i'd actually never heard of it till my wife told me, and i bet it's common to not have any clue. i really hope you are able to contain it with your daughter.

It's not airborne, it's contact-borne and is caused by a parasite.

When I was responsible for changing my cat's litter box, I used to be really OCD about how to handle it. . .always used liners, always used (disposeable) gloves, always double-bagged the waste, always took it straight out to the trash can, always sterilized the empty pan with Lysol cleanser (the heavy duty shit that hospitals use) and HOT water and triple-washed my hands after taking off the disposeable gloves.

We had small kids in the household and my mom is an RN, who lost a good bit of her sight because of a toxoplasmosis infection she contracted as a kid, so I was hyper-aware of it growing up!

[ChrisTheCop]

I found a MESSAGE BOARD (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/ronfezdashboardhulaMedium.jpg) that looks very helpful. It seems to deal mostly with how toxoplasmosis effects the eyes. I'm going to have to do a lot of printing. Kalee only comes over here about twice a month, and her mom doesn't have internet access.

This is one instance where I understand the need for another message board.
But seriously, I know nothing about the condition; but I do know how to keep people in my prayers and thats what I'll be doing for you and Kalee.

[PapaBear]

You people really are the best. Thank you so much.

[sailor]

It's not airborne, it's contact-borne and is caused by a parasite.

When I was responsible for changing my cat's litter box, I used to be really OCD about how to handle it. . .always used liners, always used (disposeable) gloves, always double-bagged the waste, always took it straight out to the trash can, always sterilized the empty pan with Lysol cleanser (the heavy duty shit that hospitals use) and HOT water and triple-washed my hands after taking off the disposeable gloves.

We had small kids in the household and my mom is an RN, who lost a good bit of her sight because of a toxoplasmosis infection she contracted as a kid, so I was hyper-aware of it growing up!

just looked it up and you're totally right. i will have my wife yell at her doctor for spreading false news. also, it apparently takes 2 or more days for the litter to "ripen" and be able to spread the disease.

[LordJezo]

The positive of this is that at least it's not both eyes. My dad only has one eye, lost it when he was about the age of your daughter and has had no problems going through the decades. It will be hard for everyone at first and it will take some time to adjust but eventually she wont even notice and have a very fine life.

[drjoek]

Damn sorry to hear that. Modern medicine makes advances in things all the time, stay informed as much as you can there are no bad ideas that can be persued

[Thebazile78]

just looked it up and you're totally right. i will have my wife yell at her doctor for spreading false news. also, it apparently takes 2 or more days for the litter to "ripen" and be able to spread the disease.

Increasing the frequency of litter box changes or scooping the box daily can help reduce the possibility of getting infected as well.

Oh, and I just found the Lysol stuff I used to use for the cat box, inside and outside, at the Lysol products site; it's called Lysol Concentrate and comes in a small, dark brown bottle. It usually runs about $5, which would be pricey if you weren't supposed to dilute it.

If the litter box had gone a bit longer than usual (i.e. - I'd gone away and none of my family would change it) or the cat had been ill, I'd use it straight on the plastic. Otherwise, I'd dilute it with the hot water I was using to clean the litter box anyway. None of us got sick from the litter box. Sometimes, I would use the Lysol spray on the cleaned surfaces and wait for it to dry before replacing the liner and litter.

And there would be no skipping of the hot-water sanitization step at any time EVER. Even my dad couldn't understand why I was so obsessive about it. . .but I don't think he'd ever seen Trainspotting. And, personally, I thought it helped the cat by clearly demarcating where it was acceptable to do his business.

[keithy_19]

Your daughter has stunning eyes Papa, and you and her are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong sir.

[Arch Stanton]

I am stunned and have neer heard of this and never heard of cat shit/piss causing it.

And you are correct, how can anything happen to those eyes. I am feeling for you guys.


I will pray for her and let it be said that I would think many will be helped to prevent this by reading what you posted.

Keep us updated.

[FUNKMAN]

Best Wishes Papa!

[PapaBear]

She saw a specialist last week. The damage to the right eye is definitely permanent. Currently, the infection is active, so they have her on meds. It's the same medicine they use for people with anthrax, and the pills are huge. She has to get either glasses or contacts (non prescription) to protect her good eye from outside damage.

She's in good spirit's though. It takes a lot to bother her. She's a strong one! I'm just glad she made it here for my Thanksgiving dinner.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/DSCN1037Large.jpg

[drjoek]

Bear
hope things continue to improve

Good luck

[Mafialife Chris]

My prayers are with you papa!

[spadanko]

Dude man, best of luck to you and your daughter...i send my best wishes out to you guys. Hopefully things will turn out for the best. I am going to go kiss my little girl now

I am glad that she is in good spirits. that means a lot.

My prayers are with you guys

[IamPixie]

I'm glad she's staying strong and positive and I hope everything works out. She's a real beauty btw.

[Snacks]

Sounds like things are getting under control and getting better :thumbup::clap:

Continue to be there for you daughter and things should continue to get better!!!

[Hottub]

Pappa. I know what she is going through. Shit happens. My left is permanently damaged. But, you move on, and overcome what is dealt to you..

God Bless. BabyBear has the world by the short and curlys.!

[A.J.]

She's a beauty -- and obviously got her good looks from her mother. :tongue:

Just curious about something: can lasik be used to fight the infection, or improve the vision, or would that be too dangerous?

I'm still having a good thought for you both.

[PapaBear]

My ex called me to tell me about a miracle tonight. My daughter went to the doctor today. The doc looked at her eye and said, "this can't be..."

The scaring on her eye has decreased dramatically. He said he's never seen this happen before. She still has to be treated, because it could come back at any time. But for now, her vision is better than it's ever been. Hopefully, her coach will let her go back to varsity basketball, now!

[Gvac]

My ex called me to tell me about a miracle tonight. My daughter went to the doctor today. The doc looked at her eye and said, "this can't be..."

The scaring on her eye has decreased dramatically. He said he's never seen this happen before. She still has to be treated, because it could come back at any time. But for now, her vision is better than it's ever been. Hopefully, her coach will let her go back to varsity basketball, now!

Wow.

Awesome news, and a great story.

Thanks so much for sharing that PapaBear...and all the best to you and your daughter.

[drjoek]

My ex called me to tell me about a miracle tonight. My daughter went to the doctor today. The doc looked at her eye and said, "this can't be..."

The scaring on her eye has decreased dramatically. He said he's never seen this happen before. She still has to be treated, because it could come back at any time. But for now, her vision is better than it's ever been. Hopefully, her coach will let her go back to varsity basketball, now!

man thats great to hear!!

[NickyL0885]

People always say that if you pray and really believe in miracles, it can happen. We live in a interesting world. Some of the most amazing things happen when we least expect it. Good to hear.

[sailor]

super news!

[tele7]

That's great news PB! :clap:

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Wonderful news!

[weekapaugjz]

im very happy to hear this great news papabear!

[RoseBlood]

That is great PapaBear! I'm very happy for you and your daughter. It's so nice to hear good news and I hope this is just the beginning of a long running streak of positive things to come your way. :happy:

[Tenbatsuzen]

Good news. Mods, can we change the thread title to "My daughter may NOT be going blind"?

[hedges]

Great news! And best wishes for your daughter and your family.

[Reephdweller]

My ex called me to tell me about a miracle tonight. My daughter went to the doctor today. The doc looked at her eye and said, "this can't be..."

The scaring on her eye has decreased dramatically. He said he's never seen this happen before. She still has to be treated, because it could come back at any time. But for now, her vision is better than it's ever been. Hopefully, her coach will let her go back to varsity basketball, now!



Oh my God Papa, this is absolutely fantastic news. I am so happy for her this is a true miracle. I will continue to keep her in my prayers and best wishes for both of you.

[Gmann]

Im glad to hear that everythings on the up and up PapaBear.
Im not a religious man but I'll keep you and your daughter in my thoughts and wish nothing but positivity.

[disneyspy]

the positivity of this thread is great,happy for ya bear

[A.J.]

My ex called me to tell me about a miracle tonight. My daughter went to the doctor today. The doc looked at her eye and said, "this can't be..."

The scaring on her eye has decreased dramatically. He said he's never seen this happen before. She still has to be treated, because it could come back at any time. But for now, her vision is better than it's ever been. Hopefully, her coach will let her go back to varsity basketball, now!

RF.Net Post of The Day.

Awesome news. Hope you both can breathe a little easier now.

[Hottub]

Outstanding news. I'm very glad to hear it. Miricles do happen I guess.
Or maybe the positive vibe going out from all of your .net buddies.
Either way, I'm very happy.

[Sheila]

Thanks for the update papabear, wow!!! I'm so happy for your girl! :) It's great to see the support here too, what a helpful bunch of kind people. Wishing you the best!!

[Tall_James]

Great news! We're all rooting for her here!

[KingGeno]

Excellent news! What a big relief that must be for your family. Enjoy! :)

[ecobag2]

Good news papabear. :thumbup:

[Don Stugots]

That is great to hear. I'm happy for you both.

[El Mudo]

Great news to hear PB!! :clap::clap:

[spadanko]

Great News Papa!!!! :clap::clap::clap:

[Aggie]

I love hearing about medical miracles as I am a believer. I'm so happy for your family!

[nukinfuts]

My ex called me to tell me about a miracle tonight. My daughter went to the doctor today. The doc looked at her eye and said, "this can't be..."

The scaring on her eye has decreased dramatically. He said he's never seen this happen before. She still has to be treated, because it could come back at any time. But for now, her vision is better than it's ever been. Hopefully, her coach will let her go back to varsity basketball, now!
That is amazing and no other way to say except that it is a miracle.
I hope whatever is happening will continue and only get better. When you read something like this it makes the little stuff we get so stressed about seem so trivial. Kids are amazing in their abilities to defy the odds.

[WampusCrandle]

that's great PB! :clap::thumbup::clap:

[PapaBear]

Thank you VERY much everyone. You guys are the best!!!:thumbup::wub:

[Friday]

yay! :clap:

i can't believe this the first i am seeing of this thread. best wishes, Papa!

[boosterp]

My ex called me to tell me about a miracle tonight. My daughter went to the doctor today. The doc looked at her eye and said, "this can't be..."

The scaring on her eye has decreased dramatically. He said he's never seen this happen before. She still has to be treated, because it could come back at any time. But for now, her vision is better than it's ever been. Hopefully, her coach will let her go back to varsity basketball, now!

I am very happy for you and your daughter, this is great news. I hope the progress continues.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

HOORAY!!!! THIS is SUCH wonderful news!!!

[hammersavage]

I've never been so happy for someone I've never met. Fuckin' A bubba this is great news!

[Knowledged_one]

I got a call from my ex a few hours ago with the results of my 15 year old daughter's trip to the eye doctor. Apparently, my ex never told me that since Kalee was 8, she had been diagnosed with having an eye condition due to toxoplasmosis. She has a habit of keeping stuff like that from me. Like the time she didn't tell me that Kalee had fallen through thin ice in a pond, and my son saved her life.

What the doc said is, with her left eye, it's like looking at a picture and only seeing the frame. Everything in the middle is just a gray blob. She said it will never get better. She has two appointments with specialists to try to keep it from happening to her right eye.

I'm kinda floored right now. Kalee is taking it fairly well, since they told her she can still play basketball (her life's passion). I just can't stand the thought that these eyes may not work.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/kaleeeys.jpg

I'm going to do as much research about this condition as I can. If anyone is familiar with this, I'd appreciate any advice.

i remember reading that playing video games can help in these situations helps the muscles and focusing on multiple objects at once
good luck on this situation

[PapaBear]

Good news. Mods, can we change the thread title to "My daughter may NOT be going blind"?
I hate to admit it, but Tenbats may be right. But I'd suggest, "My daughter may be going blind. UPDATE... Now with less blindness!

[disneyspy]

I hate to admit it, but Tenbats may be right. But I'd suggest, "My daughter may be going blind. UPDATE... Now with less blindness!

it does seem kinda wierd to watch ispy and see my daughter may be going blind and then people responding with"thats wonderful news"

[razorboy]

I'm so happy that things seem to be going better for your daughter, PB.

[Farmer Dave]

My heart sank to my stomach when I read the first post. I can't imagine how helpless you must have felt.

I'm glad things have improved for her no matter what the reason.

[drusilla]

great news!! so happy for you & your family!

[Yerdaddy]

Outstanding news! You brightened my day. Really.