The Not-So Routine Opthamologist Appointment

Today was Justin's appointment with the opthamologist...an appointment we expected to be pretty cut and dry. We expected them to look at the growth on his eye, tell us it wasn't causing any problems with a vision, and that would be that. I should have known the day was going to be rough when Justin woke up extremely cranky this morning. The kids were both up way too late last night, so when I had to wake him up at 7:30 he was besides himself and cried most of the way to the doctor. He finally calmed down once we got there only to once again be upset when I wouldn't let him play with the exam chair in the office. Our wait really wasn't too bad and the doctor was a very nice gentleman, but my cranky 16 month-old wanted nothing to do with the lights in his eyes or putting his chin on the chin rest. After a short but thorough exam, the doctor brought in some reading material about lipodermoids (fatty benign tumors that grow on the eye) and told me that they are common and would only be a concern if Justin were to have growths or skin tags near his ears or spinal cord abnormalities. Well...guess what? Justin's right ear has a spot that at birth was described as simply cartilage that didn't form properly. In all actuality, his right ear is slightly deformed, but not extremely noticeable unless you are his mother or a doctor who is looking for something. Anyway, the doctor believes he might have a mild form of Goldenhar's Syndrome which is a condition that is characterized by mild to serious facial abnormalities including dermoids and underdeveloped ears as well as spinal cord abnormalities. The doctor gave me some more literature and talked to me a bit about the condition and then showed me some pictures. Neither myself or the doctor could really see the same disfiguration that was in the pictures so if Justin does have this condition it is likely that it is a very mild case as the only real indicators are his eye and his ear. However, he will have to have some tests ran as well as some xrays in order to support or disprove the initial prognosis. I'm slightly freaked out because there are some other complications that this condition can lead to or that are a result of such as heart problems, lung defects, loss of hearing, and kidney problems, though in mild cases they may or may not be present. We could use some extra prayers tonight and through the next couple of months as the doctors try to figure out if Justin has Goldenhar's and if he does, how severe it is.