My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Sunday, November 14, 2010

I appreciate

my eyes.    My head hurts today, my eyes are tired and lots of lights are flashing as I type this ... part of the journey and has me reflecting.  I left church early .. so not all bad :). 

I recall my opthalmologist told me years ago, that the central peephole of my vision is RESILIENT.  He said your eyes will fight for you and try to provide some vision as long as they can.  I have a special place for this opthalmologist, retinal specialist.  He speaks to me in a kind, caring manner.  We were colleagues for several years.  He doesn't brush me aside because he can't do much for my eyes.  Over the years, he has asked about me as a person.  He has told me my eyes are beautiful and sparkly even if they are diseased.  He had tears in his eyes when he shared that the macula edema returned.  He wanted to be able to do something that woldn't make me sick and dehydrated.  (A discussion thread on the treatments for macula edema could happen.  For me, diamox left me dehydrated and kidney stones.  For others it works wonders.  The injection a couple years ago was expensive, a little scary, however, perhaps helpful.)  My opthalmologist and I were on an elevator and a lady questioned my blindness.  But, you found the elevator button, she said.   He kept quiet -- perhaps, patient confidentiality kept him from saying something, but each time I see him we laugh about this incident.   He knows my eyes and longs to be able to fix them.  He has told me that the cataracts in my eyes chose a great place to be because they can be postponed.  (A whole disucussion thread could be on when to take care of cataracts on an already eye that is diseased.  Both the retinal doctors that I have seen have chosen to postpone -- which  is great as I don't have insurance on  my eyes right now.)  This has me feeling compassion for my eyes, too.  Why are they discriminated and considered a pre-existing condition in the life of self-employment insurance?

Perhaps this doesn't sound like an appreciation post.  It is.  These are my eyes that I appreciate. I put anti-wrinkle cream around them each day.  Who knows if it helps?  I see it as a loving massage for them.  These eyes have taught me so much.  They are doing their best with a  insidious  disease fighting against them.  They have taught me to let go and rely on these


beautiful eyes. 

P.S. I also really love and appreciate these brown boots from Ann Taylor.  Comfortable and just keep going- ready for another year.

11 comments:

Lucent Imagery said...

Love this post Becky. Love love love it. xx

K and K said...

You are amazing & so inspirational!

Becky Andrews said...

LI & K & K. Thank YOU!!

s day @ sdayrunning.blogspot.com said...

Ahhhh, I knew I could come here for some inspiration and a beautiful outlook on life. You have the most amazing way of "seeing" things. I love ya.

Anonymous said...

I love your brown boots too!! I was so bumbed I missed seeing you when I picked up Megan from Project STRIVE on Saturday. Thank you so much for letting the kids come to your office, hear your wisdom, and feel your warmth. You are such a great example! Hugs, Marla

Becky Andrews said...

Shan - ah, thanks! See you in a while for our run.
Marla - oh sad! sorry I missed you. Loved having them come visit. Hope our paths can cross soon.

Myrna R. said...

The boots are cute, I'm sure. But your eyes are lovelier. Regardless of disease - you keep the sparkle in them.

Retired Duo said...

I always learn something from your posts. We've had a few "eye issues" with friends and relatives lately (cataracts, glaucoma). These and your posts about your disease make me appreciate my gift of normal, albeit myopic, sight. Thank you again for your thoughts and your willingness to share.

3 labs 4 me said...

Oh Becky, I love you & your eyes. Your eyes always twinkle & sparkle. They say your eyes are the window into your soul. You indeed, have love, beauty & compassion in your eyes & in you soul.

Beth and Alfie said...

You have beautiful, joyful eyes, Becky! Thanks for the education and inspiration you share!

Becky Andrews said...

Your encouraging comments just keep me blogging. Thanks :)