So it begins...

This week marks the start of Adele's journey into the world of Oculoplastic surgery, ocular prosthetics, and orbital reconstruction.  Yesterday we took Adele to meet the Oculoplastic Surgeon by the name of Dr. Dwight Kulwin.  Our family is very familiar with Dr. Kulwin, as he was my oculoplastic surgeon as a child.  Before her appointment, our family was very anxious and anticipating a visit that would result in disappointment.  We were happily mistaken.  Dr. Kulwin informed us of different courses of action that could be taken in Adele's situation.  He told us that if Adele is truly anophthalmic (no eyes or remnant eye tissue) that the treatment is mostly all surgical in order for her orbits and related structures (sinus' - brow) to grow.  However, if there is any tissue at all (even microscopic) her orbital structures will "want" to grow and may only need assistance through surgery.  If she is truly anophthalmic, there is a tissue transplant procedure (tissue is transplanted from her buttocks to her ocular orbits) that can also potentially stimulate orbital growth. - - (After hearing that, I was more than happy to offer some of my butt tissue!!)  Also, if Adele has no ocular tissue, she may be a candidate for "expandable ocular implants" rather than the "conformers" that are used otherwise.   We were glad to be given so much information, and happy to discover that different treatments may be available.
Also, Adele and I see one of the Children's Hospital Human Genetics doctors tomorrow, and will take a trip to Inianapolis to see the Ocularist next week (the people that will make Adele's conformers and if needed a scleral schell).  We'll keep you posted!!