THE EYES ARE TRULY MADE FOR SEEING

Dr Jamie, my neuro ophthalmologist, one of only 30 specialists in her field in the Philippines gave me a thumbs up today, she cleared my recent eye problem. 

Ye Hey! I can drive again!

In mid-November last year, I saw everything double and linear objects slopped at the ends when both eyes were open. That's when I saw an ophthalmologist who confirmed nothing clinically wrong with both my eyes but referred me to Dr. Jamie who explored further.

After some tests, Dr Jamie said the nerve in my left eye experienced some kind of an attack, hence it doesn't synchronize with the other.  

"The deviation is not extreme, so I'm hoping your condition will go back to normal in 3-4 months", she said.  

She prescribed meds and the use of an eye patch alternating both eyes.   I have to manage my sugar and cholesterol intake as these may have triggered my condition. 

I was really worried. What if my eyes won't go back to normal?  What if it will get worse?   It was a big inconvenience that I couldn't drive and cross a busy street on my own.  When I was driven down the road, cars looked like there were two of each; when we turned a corner, it looked like we just missed bumping cars. Things looked normal up close with my patch on, though my peripheral view was limited to less than 90 degrees.  

My children did not want to wait 3 months, they wanted to know what's wrong straight away.  So I underwent an MRI and  to our great relief,  results  proved nothing wrong with the brain and everything connected to the eye. 

As I waited for my eyes to heal, my older daughter, our only child who lives in town came to the rescue. She patiently drove me around; to the supermarket, the drugstore, the bank and my doctor's appointments.  

The good part about it is that I enjoyed bonding with her especially when we hung out in the coffee shop while waiting for appointments. This also gave me a glimpse of how my life will be when I'll grow much older and more helpless in the future. 

She immediately ordered an eye patch online since my doctor ran out of her stock and the item is not available anywhere. For a week I wore one that my husband improvised out of a face mask. Eventually we got the ordered one and then my younger daughter abroad also sent me a pair for both the left and right eyes.  

I found out that there are a lot of good and compassionate people out there.  Strangers helped me navigate the few steps up and down the church.  My acquaintances in the neighborhood wanted to know what's wrong and how I'm getting along and offered to accompany me to where I was going in case I can't go alone. 

Most of all, I have a support group of people closest to me: my immediate family.   My son said:

 " I'm praying very hard for your recovery Mom and I'm happy you are taking this matter with optimism". I replied that I have faith.  I'm sure, both my daughters equally prayed hard for me as well. 

My son's in-laws were concerned and consoled me; a dear friend also volunteered to bring me to the doctor and do errands; my older daughter's in laws have devotedly prayed for me; her mother-in law, the Hijas de Jesus congregation of nuns, one of them being my daughter's sister-in-law; a candle was lighted for my recovery in Fatima, Portugal by another sister-in law. 

But more than these enormous help, I had unwavering faith that I will get healed.  I also prayed very hard and made special devotions.  I pleaded for the compassion and intercession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help who never failed me.  I offered everything:  my work, joys, sacrifices, sufferings and frustrations everyday to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and for the healing of the sick. 

After this experience, my heart goes to all the blind people; life must truly be hard for them.  Imagine the frustration of those who wasn't born blind and are learning to live another kind of life again. 

I can't say that I am a very religious person but I am devoted to my religious faith.  So whenever I am helplessly dealt with challenges like my eye condition, I don't despair.  I've always accepted life's challenges with resignation because I know there is only One who can help me best, our Creator Who does not abandon us and has plans for all of us.