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We will try and keep all of you who have helped, or have been interested in, Natasha and her treatment informed or her condition.  Our updates will not be each day, but as the treatments and appointment progress, we will try and keep you informed.  Keep Natasha in your thoughts!

Natasha

August 7, 2009
Link to one of those that have supported Natasha

There are many of you out there who have supported Natasha with your contributions.  The band that provided this link has provided hours of free entertainment at two of our fundraising events and we are most appreciative.  The band is Grateful we are Not Dead and a picture of them can be found on Natasha's 2009 visit in pictures tab.  Thanks again guys!

http://gratefulwerenotdead.blogspot.com/

August 7, 2009
Natasha News Alert!
 
Natasha went back to Toronto for her 4 day check up at which time they took off the proctective contact lenses.  Up until this time Natasha had to wear these goggles when she was resting or sleeping incase she rubbed her eyes. Had to wear wrap around dark sunglasses when outside or in a bright room. 
After the lenses came off they checked her eyes and gave her the thumbs up, out went the goggles. They did the eye test and Natasha could see the "E" for the first time.
Tina and I took Natasha back to Toronto on July 29th.  Wonderful news, everything looks great and guess what Natasha could see even better than last time, not only the E but the "A" and "H", her eye sight improves daily. We asked the Doctor where we could do the happy dance and he suggested the front foyer as there was more room. I might say, everyone in the waiting room was smiling and happy for us. See the picture of the "Happy Dance". Also she could go swimming.
We then went to a wonderful little Polish restaruant, had tradition Europeon food and Natasha was smiling from ear to ear, could not get the grin of happiness off her face, and why should we....Keep smiling Natasha...
Natasha had a great long weekend with a friend of her host family at Calabogie, went swimming, fireworks,bonfires,corn roast.
Natasha is spending the week with Nancy, having a great time, visited the hairdressers in Kemptville.  The Hair Gallery offered her a free hair style....should see her now.  Thanks to the Hair Gallery and Staff.
Natasha is to have her 1 month check up at the Ottawa Eye Institute and hopfully will be a prescription for corrective lenses.  Lencrafters, Bayshore will provide glasses.
We were thrilled yesterday morning when Natasha was reading with her right eye, had to hold the paper close to her eye but she could see.....correctives glasses will help with the distance.
Natasha is happy, thrilled and words cannot express how gratefull she is to everyone that has helped her get her sight back.
We feel that Natasha is a special person and with all her ups and downs always comes out smiling with a big Thank you.
July 22, 2009
Recovering!

This update is posted by Nancy, a member of our executive.

When Natasha arrived at my house on Monday morning she was walking very slowly, wearing her special dark sunglasses.  Her right eye was still very swollen and looked very sore.  As the morning progressed she started to feel a lot better, but then after lunch we strongly suggested she have a rest,..." I am not tired" but after 15 minutes of laying on the couch, Natasha slept for almost 2 hours.

 

Natasha must wear the dark glasses when outside or in a bright room.  While sleeping she must wear tight fitting goggles (which she does not like) but must in case she rubs her eye while asleep.

 

Natasha did not take any pain medication during the day.... a very good sign.

 

 

 

Tuesday: a different lady walked into our house, smiling, feeling like her old self again, amazing what a day makes. We did a tour of the gardens and she helped me stack up some tomatoes.

 

No pain medication, drops- 4 times a day, better than every hour like the first 3 days.

 

Natasha is looking forward to having her first post operation appointment in Toronto on Wed., not sure if they will remove the hard contact lenses that is covering each eye.

 

Natasha want to say, that words cannot describe how she feels and is so happy and grateful for all the folks that have made this possible.  Next week when her sight is better she plans on writing some special thank you notes. Sight in her right eye seems to come and go...better than before...could not see a thing only blurs.  Natasha will need glasses in about 6 months when her right eye has settled, she has 20/20 in her left eye but the cornea was starting to become cone shaped and the crosslinking will prevent it from progressing as her right eye had.  Natasha did have intacs in her right eye, thus the reason it was swollen and caused more pain.

 

 

 

Will keep everyone posted on how her Dr. appointment went.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 17, 2009
She did it!

I just heard from Tina (president of OVACC) that Natasha's surgery was a success!!!!  The family decided to stay in the Toronto area tonight as there is an hourly regime of eye drops and pain medication to administer.  This would not be an easy task on the 401.  From all reports, Natasha has been very brave but the operation has caused some pain and she is resting now.  Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement.  Thank you also for all of you who helped with the funds needed to pay for this surgery.  We sure could not have done it without you!  The cost of Natasha's treatment is almost covered by your donations but if you would like to help, please contact Nancy at nancy@ovacc.ca.  Good luck Natasha.  We will be looking for you to update us here. 

July 7, 2009
Natasha
Monday June 29,
 Mary Jane, Tina, Nancy took Natasha to the Ottawa Eye Institute.  We had a very successful opinion from Dr. Bruce Jackson on Natasha's eye condition.  He recommded and knew of the great success of Dr. Rootman at the YELC in Toronto.
Monday July 6
Tina, Nancy took Natasha to Toronto.  We started at 6 in the morning.  Had a tour of the CN tower, and then our appointment at the YELC clinic.  We were very well received, the staff very professional, warm and kind.  They did several test and came up with the same diagnoses that the Ottawa Eye Institute and the Doctor in Minsk had suggested. 
 On July 17th Natasha will have cross linking and intacs on her right eye, cross linking on her left eye.  This will/should be, 99% be a permanent solution to her problem.  Within a few months her vision will be clear and will only require glasses to correct the distance vision on her right eye.  Now a small world story....Dr. Rootman's grandfather and father came from Belarus just before/after WW 1.  Dr. Rootman has given us a reduction on the cost of the surgery.  Tom and Mary Jane will take Natasha for surgery, stay overnight for her next day examination.  Natasha will have to return on the 22 and 29 for follow  checks ups and her 1 month check up will be done by Dr. Jackson in Ottawa (saves another trip to To).
We drove back last night and we had someone watching over us to provide us with good weather and a wonderful day.  Today Natasha slept until noon, she is a very tired young lady and I am sure there has been a big weight lifted off her shoulder now that she knows for sure when her surgery is and her eye sight will be restored.   Update on our $$...we are almost at our goal. 
I can provide a list of donors todate.
cheers
Nancy and Tina



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