Chapter one: The Shock
It was during one of my regular optometrist appointments when for the first time I was asked, “are you diabetic?” Taken back slightly my answer was no, of course not. The truth is however, how would I have known since I was never tested? In fact, 22 years of wonderful health had kept me away from any medical facilities. So why the question from the eye doctor?
He’s shining a bright light in my eye and begins talking to the eye as if it can comprehend his words. He softly says “hello there”…but to whom? We were alone in the room and he’d already said hello to me. Quickly I found out it wasn’t to “whom” it was to “it”!!
The cataract, the blurry film that had taken up residence and come to call my eye its’ home. Well no wonder I was having such difficulty focusing. This cataract had taken on a life of its’ own and I was simply attached to it going along for the ride. Ok, so cataract surgery is no big deal. Perhaps one might say that 55 is young to have one, but who was I to question what life dealt my way.
A trip to a surgeon brought the news that he supported my eye doctor diagnose and the cataract should be removed. No problem from this lady…let’s get it on!! The nurse gives me a ton of paperwork to get filled out and schedules my surgery for March 16, 2005. A long time to wait, but after questioning her on this she informed me that it would take me some time to get my physical by my Primary care doctor.
Well folks, hit me in the face why don’t you? Stunned, but being ever so cool, I walked out of the office and before I completely chickened out I drove straight to my Primary care doctor ( who my family had seen but I never really did) and made the appointment. Trust me, I would never have gone at all if it wasn’t required to get this surgery done.
My journey begins here…Feb. 22, 2005.