You may know that I’ve been looking into eye surgery lately. I have Dwayne’s Syndrome in my right eye, which, to put it in short, means that (1) some of my nerves aren’t connected how they should be, and (2) my eye muscles have weakened, making my eye turn from the middle of my eyelid to the center of my face. This has also caused some double vision – which was thankfully mostly fixed with a better glasses prescription, but still happens on occasion (especially when I’m super tired or under stress!). God is absolutely incredible to have created our brains to compensate when other parts of our bodies don’t function as “normal”. I can still see out of my right eye, and don’t have constant double vision. Praise God!
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| photo credit: Cole Gorman |
I expected to have eye surgery this summer, and actually left Tanzania a month early to see my doctor. But, he didn’t think surgery was the way to go. We (My parents and I) left the appointment confused, but trusting God had a bigger plan. We decided to get a second opinion with a doctor in-network of my new insurance, and he recommended surgery, but would work on both eyes. I wasn’t comfortable with this, especially since the first doctor’s advice was completely opposite.
We researched to find doctors who specialized in my area of ophthalmology, and found a doctor who had 20+ years of experience in this area at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Unfortunately, after calling to book an appointment, we found out he had no openings until after August, when I would be back in Tanzania. We had our name put down in case of a cancellation, and continued to pray and trust God. Amazingly enough, God provided an opportunity for me to get an appointment with him before I left for Tanzania!
He ran a myriad of tests (like using this crazy contraption 😉 and gave me great assurance and hope! He decided surgery would be a good idea, and answered all of our questions. He plans to work on the muscles of my right eye to turn it back to center. He said that I would even be able to have followup surgeries if they eye slips back to being turned in! God is good!
He recommends to have the surgery sooner than later. We were actually able to schedule the surgery for December 11! Unfortunately, that means I’ll be taking a leave of absence from Tanzania, but I know the Lord has a master plan. He’s orchestrated everything to work out in His timing, and I trust He will continue to fulfill His plan.
I will be leaving Tanzania on Sunday, October 28, because I have the wonderful opportunity to join my parents in Cape Town, South Africa, before heading to the U.S.! They are currently in Botswana, and will be making their way down to Cape Town to meet me for a few days. Like I said, God’s plan is perfect!
I’ll be in the U.S. for November, December, and January, as I prepare for, have, and recuperate from my surgery. My prayer is for a quick recovery so that I can hopefully return to Tanzania in February, after my six-week post-operation appointment! I’m looking forward to being home for the end of fall, and for the holidays! Though, it is hard to leave Tanzania and Hope School for three months in the middle of the school year!
- Healing for my eye! I believe God is our Healer- and He will heal my eye, whether it is through the surgery, or before it even happens!
- Favor with my insurance company – I’ve been having some trouble getting coverage for the surgery, as the Mayo Clinic is out of my network. Please pray that God would change their minds and allow me to have this important surgery with this doctor, who has specialized in this field for so many years! It is an expensive surgery; one that I cannot pay for without insurance. I know God has ordained this and I trust He will provide financially!
- Surgery – that God would be with the doctor to do exactly what’s needed for my eye, and that my body would do well in and after surgery
- Recovery – that the recovery would be quick and painless, that my body would accept the change of my eye, and my brain would quickly re-calibrate to the new placement, so that I do not have double vision! I believe for complete healing in Jesus name!
I would so appreciate your financial support as well! Though I won’t be in Tanzania for a couple months, I will be working with the other volunteers to help Hope as much as possible from afar. Also, this surgery is not cheap, though it is very important for my well-being! If you feel led to support me financially, you can go to: http://bit.ly/AllieDonate. Select Hope International School and write my name “Allie Elliott” in the comments. All donations are tax-deductible! “Asante sana!” (Thank you so much! in Swahili)
I’m blessed to be serving God in beautiful Tanzania, and know that He has big plans for this nation and for me in the months to come!!
Much love,
