Thursday, July 14, 2016

Learning to Walk

Fear is a debilitating thing. Most of my life I've run with a spotted dog. Dalmatians #9 and 10 reside with me now or I with them. Reflecting about the year past I realized the steps I'd taken were not so small.  

Advanced glaucoma rewarded me with a Baerveldt shunt being surgically implanted in my left eye. Eight weeks of recovery plus additional complications sidelined me for longer than I wanted. Vision loss, balance issues, bruised and battered self confidence halted those walks with my dog, one of my greatest joys in life. 

This dog, #10, is afraid of people, windshield wipers and the world. On our first trek out into the woods I was armed and ready for anything. A walking stick, cell phone, pepper spray, ID cards, eye drops, migraine medication and bags to pick up those leftovers - off we went into the wilderness. 
Terrified - both of us.

 A year and a half later the walking stick is gone. My dog has become the park ambassador greeting everyone with a waggly tail. He has learned to become brave. Summer camp is in session, children are everywhere playing, laughing, soaking in the season. Yesterday a very shy little boy kept waiting for us to round the path, afraid to approach. "You can pet him, he'd like that" I said. Timidly the boy reached out with a couple of quick soft pats. My canine companion was so overjoyed he rolled in the grass. The boy never spoke a word. He just smiled.

Recalling the first time we stepped back out into the woods and the world, my dog and I together, pushing forward and doing the thing we thought we could not. Feeling like that little boy, afraid to reach out and try. Glaucoma had sidelined me from doing the things I loved. And I allowed it. 

This disease is an insidious thief. There is a new challenge every day and a gripping fear that one day I'll lose my vision, my most precious gift of sight. Glaucoma will knock you down at a moments notice and you'll struggle to get back up. But get back up you must. 

This blog is dedicated to all of those who suffer with Glaucoma. It's not just a joke on a late night talk show. It can't be fixed. Anyone can have it. There is no cure. If you're in a higher risk group such as having a family member with glaucoma, are very near sighted, diabetic, African American, Hispanic or over the age of 60 the chances of having glaucoma become greater. And these are not determining factors of glaucoma. A person can be born with it. Did I mention there is no cure?

 I urge you to call your opthamologist for a comprehensive exam. If caught early there are treatments available to slow the progression of the disease. It won't be stopped. Be proactive about your eyes. Vision lost cannot be replaced. Ever.

Please view the Glaucoma Research Foundations web site for more information. Call your opthamologist today. Your sight depends on it. 
www.glaucoma.org 



9 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Electrodos en la retina

    Para curar la retinopatía pigmentaria, una enfermedad genética degenerativa que vuelve ciego a los 40 años, se está imponiendo en Estados Unidos y Europa una solución del alta tecnología, “el ojo biónico”.

    La idea es simular artificialmente el ojo con electrodos posados en la retina deficiente, para recrear la visión. Más de cien pacientes ya recibieron “retinas artificiales”.

    “Si nos hubieran hablado de esto hace diez años, hubiésemos dicho que era ciencia ficción. Hoy es una realidad”, comenta Gérard Dupeyron, jefe del servicio de oftalmología del hospital de Nîmes (sur de Francia). Un ojo biónico cuesta 100.000 euros.

    ReplyDelete
  3. OMG! Looking at this possibility (shunt) if laser trabeculoplasty on August 17th does not work. I'm glad I found you. Thank you for blogging your experiences.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Share this blog! We need to be noticed - this disease is often not taken seriously. At least until you're diagnosed with it. There is also a glaucoma support group on Facebook with some pretty wonderful people. You might want to join it for support during this time with. My best to you good luck I hope everything goes well.

      Delete
  4. Hello, great blog. Four days ago the doctor confirmed advanced glaucoma on my left eye, lost half my vision. Right eye is apparently ok, minor loss.
    I've been freaking out ever since, emotional wreck. Such a cruel disease that doesn't give second chances. All we can do is accept and adapt, but it's so hard for me right now..
    I'm now treating with 2 eyes drops every 12 hours, iop is down to 13, hope I won't lose any more vision.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My hope for this blog is to bring awareness to this horrible disease. Like you're on the right path I hope the pressures go down and that you'll be OK

      Delete
  5. Hello, great blog. Four days ago the doctor confirmed advanced glaucoma on my left eye, lost half my vision. Right eye is apparently ok, minor loss.
    I've been freaking out ever since, emotional wreck. Such a cruel disease that doesn't give second chances. All we can do is accept and adapt, but it's so hard for me right now..
    I'm now treating with 2 eyes drops every 12 hours, iop is down to 13, hope I won't lose any more vision.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Replies
    1. Thank you. We must bring awareness to this disease. I pray for a cure every day. Take good care.

      Delete