I’m putting this on my blog because I don’t want someone to come along and see I started the 30 Day Blogging Challenge, or see that I post sporadically, and think my blog is a hobby and/or I’m not serious about writing. I want to share my life experiences and stories via my blog, and both writing on and off my blog are extremely important to me. My identity as a writer matters to me. I want to grow and monetize my blog and start a career as a freelance writer.
My presence on social media has slowed down. I started a 30 Day Blog Challenge and didn’t make it past Day 1. I’m not replying to emails and texts as often as I usually do. So what’s going on with me?
I’ve always had problems with my eyes. I had three eye surgeries before the age of one and needed another one around age twelve.
I don’t remember exactly when, but approximately two to four years ago, my eye doctor told me I had a small cataract in my right eye. He said it won’t affect my vision for another decade, and about ten years out, I’ll have cataract surgery.
I had my routine eye doctor appointment about six months ago to have my eye health checked, update my prescription, and get fresh glasses and contacts. My eye doctor said I now have a cataract in both eyes and may need cataract surgery within the next year. I scheduled an appointment to see him in six months, and that brings us to three weeks ago.
My eye doctor said my cataracts have progressed to the point where I need surgery to remove them. He also told me I have Glaucoma – this is completely new – and while he’s performing my cataract surgery, he’s also going to do something to help relieve/drain the pressure in my eyes. I’m off from my job during the summer, so I asked if we could schedule it then. He said no, it needs to be as soon as insurance authorizes it.
So today, Thursday the 9th, I am one week out from my first surgery, which will be on my left eye. The following week, he’ll operate on my right eye. My doctor won’t know until he’s in there, but I may need an additional surgery on one or both eyes for the Glaucoma. Once both eyes have healed, I’ll get new contacts and glasses if I still need them. Assuming I’m not going to need additional surgeries, I’m thinking I should be back to my new normal by May 1st.
My eyes are getting tired and strained easily. I feel the pressure, and it’s to the point I have trouble wearing my contact lenses. Things are getting progressively blurry every day, and screen time is hard if I don’t do it in short sprints. My eyes are struggling when I attempt to work on my blog, post and interact on social media, read a book, text, check emails, or anything else where I need to focus for longer than a couple of minutes. You’re welcome to continue texting, emailing, and DMing me in the meantime, but please give me grace and patience if I’m slow to reply.
If I have a good day between now and May 1st, I’ll work on my blog and/or jump on social media to say hi. But if I’m quiet between now and May 1st, you know why, and you know when to expect me back.
Having Glaucoma scares me, and probably more than it should, because my paternal grandfather went blind from Glaucoma. I’ve struggled with my eyes all my life, and losing my sight has been a lifelong fear. Good thoughts, lighting candles, sending healing energy, and prayers are all welcome.
