Just deal with it………
On Monday, about mid-day, I noticed that I had a area in my right eye, my shooting eye, that seemed blurry. When I placed my hand over my left eye, it became apparent that a triangular pattern with rough edges extended from the left border of my eye to the center of my eaye, a kind of grey opaque area which blocked any detail behind it, as illusrated above. I tried eye drops and splashing cold water in my eye, but to no affect. About 23 years ago I had a detached retina in that eye and my first thought was another detached retina, but the pattern was all wrong for that. My next thought was a tear in the retina and that made the more sense.
I was to speak in Nashville on Tuesday night, so I first, sadly cancelled that, and then headed to Lexington to see a retina specialist. After lots a drops and internal photographs of the eye I met with the doctor. She said, “well your retina is fine, no tears and no detachment. What you do have is a tiny piece of plaque lodged in a very tiny vein in the eye and it is blocking blood flow to the area of the eye that has gone opaque.” She explained that there is not a procedure to physically dislodge the blockage. I was encouraged to use eye drops, provided by her, to reduce pressue in that eye, and to keep taking my blood thinner and baby aspirin in the hope that it would dislodge the plaque. So far it has not and it is likely that the area of the eye has been starved of blood long enough, now, that it will likely, not recover. I still hope and pray, but so far no change.
Blessings and drawbacks; A number of years ago I had cataracts in both of my eyes and had intra-ocular implants placed in both eyes. My right eye, the one affected has a lens focused at reading distance and my left eye at infinity. With this arrangement I could drive or read without the need of glasses, though glasses did improve both functions.
I am a right eyed shooter, but I will now have to learn to shoot with my left eye, the one with no obstructions. I’ve already tested my cameras adjusted now to my left eye and I can see fine, it will be a small, but I suspect short learning curve, to get used to shooting left eyed. A real blessing is optical accomodation! With both eyes open the greyed out area, of no vision, seems to disappear and be only very slightly notiable as the information from both eyes is integrated by the brain and the deficient area is filled in!!! It is only very noticeable when I close my left eye revealing the blocked area of vision in the right eye.
So, “Just Deal With It!” Would I prefer that this not have happened? You bet, Would I like for it to just clear up? Yes, I would love it. Can I live with it if nothing changes? Absolutely, I have no choice, and I accept the challenge!
Let me make this a witnessing opportunity. What is the first step, we should take, when things go wrong? Find the good part! The good part is the vein that was blocked was not feeding blood to the macular nerves which would have rendered me completely blind in my right eye! That is definitely a blessing! Second thing to do is praise God for the circumstances! Do what!!!!????? Years ago I read a wonderful book by an Army Chaplain called Prison to Praise, it was book about this pastor who found that what God wants us to do is praise Him in all circumstances, even when things to go all wrong. Why on earth would you do that?! If we believe that God only wants what is best for us, and that He will never allow anything to happen that does not help us, make us stronger and more able to serve Him, then we can live without fear of whatever we may have to face. It seems impossible to feel that way when bad things happen, but if we can’t trust God completely, then do we really trust Him at all?
The most important part of my physical body, beyond my heart and brain, is my eyes!! I use them for my craft and my passion, but I trust God with them and I know something will be learned through this expereince. Today begins a new chapter in how I function as a visual artist, maybe slightly impaired, but still ready to climb back up on the horse and make adjustments. With God’s help and strength, I will “just deal with it!” “Deal with it” means knowing God has a plan, and I’m in the middle of His plan, and I would not want to be any other place!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, while I do not understand the need for this test, I accept that You will teach me through it. I know You will give me strength to offset my weakness and will use this to deepen my relationship with You. For any way that You want me to serve You, You will make a way. May I face this with confidence in You, and the faith to know it will be overcome, through my reliance on You. May all the good that comes from this bring Glory to You! I pray this in Jesus precious Name, Amen.
This entry was posted on Thursday, September 6th, 2018 at 1:34 pm
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Just a perfect attitude and outlook. Continued prayers for you. It will get better, promise.
I know it will, thanks!
Bill, thank you for sharing your situation. I am just a little older than you with similar challenges. You are so right when you say that you have to just get on with it. The alternative to give up, feel sorry for ourselves, blame God, or become depressed just doesn’t take us in the direction we need to go. Thank you for the prayer at the end of your piece. As i have followed you for years, I have every confidence that your belief system will sustain you through this trying time.
God Bless you.
Charles
Thanks Charles, it has and will!
Bill, I pray for the best for you. Years ago I lost the vision n my right eye. Not completely, I could see close-up things like looking through a magnifying glass. Move it a couple of inches away and it was a blur – nothing more then light or dark. I learned to photograph with my left eye. Years later I received a corneal transplant and what a miracle. No problems for almost 27 years, then another corneal transplant and this year cataract surgery. I can see fine now and I use my right eye, but I know I can move to my left eye. God give us two. Good luck.
Thanks, luck is not a factor though, God has it, so I do to!
Prayers Bill for a complete recovery! Looking forward to being with Jack and you in October in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan!
Can’t wait will be great to see you!
Bill,
What a frightening situation. I pray for you that your eyes heal, and that you are indeed able to overcome this latest challenge. I love your prayer and have copied and printed it, and it is on my monitor for constant referral. How perfect.
God bless you my friend.
Brad
Bless you too my friend, small bumpin the road!
God Bless You Bill ~ Hopefully, this blockage will pass and you will have use of both eyes being clear and dislodged of any plaque ~ Because God delays doesn’t mean God denies!
Blessings my Friend!
Dave Berry
Amen, He certainly is in control!
For those who followed your son’s challenge, know that prayer and miracles go hand in hand. God may be giving your family another opportunity to reveal how powerful God really is.
I believe you’re right, and we know how great He is!
Bill, your faith, strength and optimistic attitude causes me to respect and admire you even more. You are an example to all You are in my daily prayers.
All to His glory, Dennis, all glory to Him!
I’ll pray for you Bill. As always you live the faith in word and deed. You are definitely walking with the Lord. You already know he is holding you close…for whatever reason he asked you to carry this cross and you are with great grace. A lesson for me…as usual…to follow.
We all have to carry whatever cross He grants us!
Thank you for this testimony Bill and for sharing this with us so we can pray for you and be encouraged by your faith and love for our Lord. I will be praying for complete resolution of this condition…Looking forward to spending time with you in Maine!
Me too Rodney, will be great fellowship!
Have been left-eyed in a right-eyed world all my life it’s something one accomodates to. Being right handed and left-eyed, shooting a bow and arrow and sighting a rifle are my two biggest challenges, and of course keeping my nose smearing offs the LCD with the X100F. Do hope, however, that your plaque problem clears up. Wishing you well, Jerry
Thanks Jerry, but I will endure no matter what the future holds!
Dear Bill,So sorry to hear of your difficulties with your eye..Your in my prayers everyday..I’ve always been a fan of your work and I’m sure The Lord has many more wonderful images for you to capture.God Bless You!
Mike DuPonte..Tampa,Fl
I pray that your sight in the right eye will return to normal, and I admire your attitude to accept the things in life that challenge all of us at some time in our life.
God is so good and He is in control!
Dennis Gowan TN