This past Friday started out as an ordinary day. I had a few errands to run locally and then I had my annual appointment with my Retinalogist at 1:00 that afternoon. Tommy and I went down early enough to have a nice lunch before my appointment.
A little background first..............
I have been seeing an Ophthalmologist for at least 40+ years. I started wearing glasses when I was 6 years old and I just saw an Optometrist until I was in my early 20's and then began seeing an Ophthalmologist. My paternal family history is not good in the vision area, so I have always tried to take the best of care of my eyes and be very proactive. About 5 years ago my Ophthalmologist wanted me to start seeing a Retinalogist annually as well.
The only issue I have had has been floaters and while they can be a nuisance, they have never been a real concern.
Back in early November this past year I got up out of the bed one morning and as soon as I opened my eyes I saw flashing lights in my far peripheral vision. I knew that was generally not a good sign and I called my Opthalmologist office and told them I need to come in ASAP. I went in and was seen by their Optometrist. I questioned them about seeing their Optometrist and they said that if he saw anything that needed further attention he would send me to my Opthalmologist or Retinalogist. He went through just a regular eye exam with me, thorough, but nothing like what the Retinalogist does. He said that the floaters were causing the issue with the flashing lights and said I was okay. I was relieved but still had some concerns. But, the flashing lights stopped in a couple of days and have probably only happened 10-12 times since that time. I didn't think alot more about it.
Fast forward to this past Friday and my appointment with my Retinalogist. As soon as my exam started my Dr. was asking me a lot of questions and saying things to his nurse. I knew that he must be seeing something that was not goo. He must have examined my eyes for at least 10 minutes and my eyes were so tired when he finished. Once he finished he looked at me and said, "you have a very serious eye condition, you have tears in both of your retina's." WHAT!!!! did I just hear him correctly or was it a bad dream. Tommy was out in the waiting area and the nurse went and got him so he could hear what the Dr. was saying. I was in tears and the Dr. told the nurse to go get me some water. I'm thinking, water, Dr. I need a whole lot more than water, how about a tranquilizer? :0)) But, he explained to us that I needed to have laser surgery immediately and that he would do it in a few minutes and for us to go on over to the eye surgical center. He also explained that he felt sure he could repair the right eye but he wasn't sure that he could the left. He said if the laser did not repair the left that I would need major eye surgery that would require hospitalization. Oh, me, so, so much to process at one time! I asked him why I didn't know this and why I was still seeing perfectly. He said it was on the back side of my retina and not yet in my field of vision. I had to think that was a good thing.
Then he told me that following the laser surgery I could NOT do bending at the waist, stooping, lifting or do anything that might put stress or strain on my eyes. Good grief, this was getting worse by the minute. I'm the gal that goes all day long, bends and stoops without even thinking about it, lifts whatever needs to be lifting and he's telling me that for 6 weeks I will NOT be doing that.
I survived the surgery and it wasn't as bad as I had envisioned but very unsettling. My eyes were already so tired from all the exams and tests he had previously done and it was hard to follow his commands and move my eyes in the direction he told me to but I did and he said I had done an excellent job when the procedure was over. And, he said that the laser went well and the left retina did better than he expected it to, so that was encouraging. I will see him this Friday for my one week check up and then every week for 6 weeks. He said he won't know the success until the end of the 6 weeks.
Waiting is not my forte and neither is limiting my physical activities. But, you know what, the Lord never allows these situations without a purpose in mind. Perhaps it's a time for me to "be still and know." Perhaps it's another time for me to place my faith and trust completely in HIM for the outcome. And, perhaps I need reminding of how HE is in control and will work all things out according to HIS plan. It doesn't mean that the outcome is going to be good, it just means that regardless, HE is going to be with me every step of the way. I covet your prayers in the weeks ahead for full healing of my eyes.
NOTE: I did mention to him that I had been in to see their Optometrist back in November when the flashing lights appeared in my peripheral vision. And, I told him that the Dr. told me that it was a result of the floaters I had. And, now I was sure that was when the retinas began tearing and he just did not see it nor did he send me on to you. Of course, as Drs. do, he said he doubted that was when it started or my retinas would likely be completely detached by now. I felt like that was his way of just covering for the other Dr. Lesson learned! From now on I will really question and/or push to see the specialist!
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| Praying for these "peepers" |
