It’s been a long time since I’ve posted about my eye ‘thing.’ For those of you that may be new to my blog … the technical name for my eye thing is Optic Neuritis. Or otherwise called, not fun! If you care to catch up on the saga … here’s a link to my old blog with posts relating to my eye.
A quick summary: this past New Year’s Eve, we were vacationing in Mexico when I suddenly had some pretty bad eye pain. Two days later when we returned, the pain was almost unbearable and my vision started going. I went to the ER, saw some doctors, a few days go by, have an MRI, find out I have Optic Neuritis, start IV steroid treatments, get seriously ill from the treatments, see an Multiple Scerolsis specialist at Mayo, not confident with report she gives, see my neurologist at home, see more doctors, see a specialist at Froedert, another MRI, all is well and ya da, ya da, ya da … a few months go by.
Then the end of April, I went in for an OCT test {measures how many optic nerve cells have died in this process}. The result is, there is significant damage. It was a bummer to hear that, but I didn’t let it phase me too much.
Until today. I had a follow up appointment with my opthamologist and he went over the test with me.
The sight in my left eye has never returned to normal. I can function fine. And technically, my vision is 20/25 {25 in the affected eye}. The hard part about it is … my depth perception {evident in my inept ability to win a bean bag toss game … sorry Amy!}, my contrast vision, and I feel like there’s a spot of my vision missing … the whole scratch on your sunglasses thing. My sight just isn’t ‘whole.’
So I had my appointment today and left feeling pretty discouraged. I don’t know … I thought maybe I could get lasik surgery or something to correct the missing vision. But there isn’t anything that can be done to regenerate dead optic nerve cells. It was a bit scary looking at a printout of the report. The right eye is normal and the charts and graphs were are all colored green. But the left eye, everything was red {abnormal}, and one spot was yellow. Meaning … when he said significant damage … he meant significant damage.
In fact, he still would feel better having me start some type of MS preventative medicine. :(
Now … I totally know there are worse things. And I’m not being a big complainer. Just thought I would update y’all with what’s going down. And, quite frankly, … it helps me to get my feelings out!
I have a follow up OCT test in 6 months. Repeating the OCT will see if there is progressive damage. If that would be the case, it’s a strong indicator of MS.
I also have a follow up MRI and appointment with the specialist in August and will see if there’s any other progression at that point.
So there ya have it folks. That’s what I know for now.
Of course, I’d love it if you kept me in your prayers and I’ll keep you posted when I find out more.
One last thing … it was so cute to hear Taylor tell me she’s been praying for me {my eye situation} every night! Maybe some things are sinking in afterall? ;)
Oh, Tracie . . . that’s just rotten. I’m so sorry to hear about your eye. :( I can completely understand the sadness with not having “whole” vision. Especially when there’s a big, beautiful world out there to see and capture. You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much for the update. We are all praying for you. I am sure it’s frustrating. On a positive, how cool is it that Taylor is praying for you every night. That’s amazing and wonderful. I will always be your baggo partner and what was my problem?
I am amazed and in awe of all that you have done and will continue to do. While this is not good news I know your positive spirit and drive will get you through this. You are in my thoughts and prayers all of the time.
bummer tracie!!! but you are a strong woman and will get through whatever this is that you are being tested with. of course we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. please let me know if there is anything you need. hugs, jenny
Such hard news, but at the same time so many people around you are supporting you and lifting up thoughts and prayers. Your bright light will continue to shine!
I am so sorry to hear about this. You are such a strong person and you continue to inspire us with that strength. Awesome that Taylor told you that she is praying for you every night. What a beautiful person she is.
Good healing thoughts to you and your eye.
So sorry to hear that news Tracie..I always say my novena when things are needing to be answered..that little card with that big prayer always makes me feel better..I will say a prayer for ya! Stay strong and positive!
tracie, you are a bundle of love. thank you for sharing. may God surround you through this. hearing this reminds me that we have so much to learn about life and love. i thank God for your right eye & all of the photos you get to take (without knowing what the future holds). prayers for you…
Tracie, I’m so sorry to hear that, but I’m thinking about you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
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