Starting Over

Chapter 61- She's Going to be Okay

“What is it? Is she going to be blind?” Bridget asked as I wrapped my arm around her waist preparing for the worst.

“There has been some damage to her optic nerve. It’s very minimal, but as of right now it has been, what I would call, stunned. Which is why she can’t see. Her vision should return over the course of the next few weeks, but she will have some vision impairment that remains permanent. Most likely it will be able to be corrected by glasses or contacts, but we won’t know the severity of the impairment until she regains vision in her eyes,” Dr. Caldwell informed us.

“So, she’s going to have to have glasses?” I asked as Bridget just stood there in shock.

“Yes, she will. I truly believe that the impairment will be minimal as long as there isn’t a history of visual problems in the family,” Dr. Caldwell informed me.

“I am half blind without my glasses or contacts. Kenzie has no hope now,” Bridget said as she started to cry.

“Bridget, you are not. You’re just near-sighted,” I told my wife as I pulled her closer.

“I’m talking about problems more severe than the typical. You needing glasses or contacts for typical issues will not affect Kenzie’s progress,” Dr. Caldwell assured her.

“Will this affect her playing basketball and softball again?” I asked knowing how much Kenzie loved to being part of basketball and softball.

“For a while it will, but by the time that basketball season begins she should be fine,” Dr. Caldwell answered.

“She’s never playing again!” Bridget exclaimed.

“Don’t go that far. We need to talk about that before we make any decisions like that,” I told her.

“I will let you two discuss things. If you have any more questions just have me paged,” Dr. Caldwell said as he exited Kenzie’s room.

“What’s there to talk about, Luke?” Bridget questioned, “Kenzie was hit square in the head with a softball, while she was wearing a helmet and still is having all this happen to her. I don’t want to risk this happening to any of the kids ever again.”

“But you can’t hold her or any of the kids back forever. They are going to want to play ball and be kids. We can’t take their childhood away from them like that, Bridget,” I stated.

“I don’t care. I don’t want to ever go through this again,” Bridget cried.

“Momma? Is that you?” Kenzie questioned as she woke up.

“I’m right here baby. Daddy’s here too,” Bridget said as she moved to our daughter’s side.

“Why can’t I see you good?” Kenzie asked her momma.

“Can you see us at all?” I asked before Bridget could answer her.

“A little bit. I think you’re wearing your E3 hat, Daddy,” Kenzie said. Bridget looked at me as if she wasn’t sure what hat I was wearing.

“You’re right,” Bridget said as a smile rose across her face, “Daddy’s wearing his E3 hat.”

“Can I have something?” Kenzie asked.

“What is it, Kenz?” I questioned her.

“Can I have a Strawberry Smoothie from Starbucks?” Kenzie asked me and Bridget.

“Well, yeah,” I said knowing Bridget wouldn’t have any objections, “I’ll run downstairs and get you one.”

“Momma, will you go?” Kenzie asked her.