Monday, December 04, 2006

My Eyes


This weekend has been a good reminder of blessings I have and how I take my eye sight for granted.

On Friday, my eyes started to tear up and become extremely light sensitive. By Friday evening, I could not open my left eye and barely open my right. I was in extreme pain and extremely light sensitive. My eyes were flowing with liquid. The best way I can describe it is that my eyes felt raw. I thought that the lens or something had come out, leaving my eyeball exposed and in pain.

Stephen found me in this state when he returned home from work and immediately went to work to find out what was wrong. He was diligent and caring, exactly what I needed as I panicked and tried to deal with pain that my extra strength tylonel would not remedy. He was able to get me into a emergency eye clinic place within the hour.

Since that time, I have spent over 3 and half hours with eye doctors at three different times, taken five different kinds of medication, become dehydrated and extremely nausea, and slept a huge amount. It appears that I got some kind of base solution or perhaps an alcohol based solution in my eyes which literally burned my eyes.

The great news is that I had another visit today to the doctors and they are in awe of how fast I am healing. I will be able to go back to work tomorrow and have been even allowed to drive during the day. My right eye is almost hundred percent and my left eye is lagging just slightly. I am being switched to different drops again and it is predicted that I will be 100 percent by the weekend.

Because I had so much time just lying there, thinking, it has been a good time to put things in perspective and realize how lucky and blessed I am. I have a husband who watched me through the worst panicking and pain I have been in for a long time just care for me and take charge. I have had amazing family support including these amazing flowers that were just delivered to me from my family. They caused me to cry which concerned the flower delivery man. In honesty, I was just glad that I could cry without severe pain. ( The kind of burn in my eyes made crying extremely painful.)

I feel blessed that our prayers were answered. I feel thankful for my eyes and the great care I received, including a cornea specialist that just happened to be available. I am so happy that I can go back to work and even more happy that Christmas and going home to Canada is so close. A traumatizing weekend to say the least but also miraculous.

10 comments:

Susan said...

Oh Amber, you have no idea how happy I was to read this blog. It even made me a little teary-eyed. Darcen and I have been thinking about you and praying for you as soon as we found out the situation. That is incredible that you are healing so quickly. Hopefully we can talk to you soon! We love you Amber!

Anonymous said...

yikes! good thing it was worse and caused permanent damage! good luck with recuperating!

m+K said...

Wow Amber, I am so happy to hear that things are improving. Do you know how the alcohol got into your eyes? We are excited to see you at Christmas! Kylie

michaelia and jason said...

Good to hear that you are feeling better! It sounds like the whole incident was pretty scary. Take care.

Crystal said...

wow...I can imagine how scary that would be. I often take my eyesight for granted and I shouldn't! THe flowers are incredibely beautiful and I'm glad that you got to enjoy them. It sounds like you have an amazing husband and family who love you!

Jenessa Fowke said...

Ah...my poor friend! I'm glad Stephen could get you connected right away with the right people. And I'm especially glad you're alright now! Take care my friend!

P.S. It's totally late, but I bought a very cool birthday gift. I'll give it to you during the holidays....can't wait!

Stephen and Amber said...

Thanks for the comments. I had a great day back at work today and I think my eyes are almost 100 percent...both eyes!

Chryslyn said...

I am sooo glad you are feeling better and so quickly. My research in non conclusive but it sure sounds like you are getting some good care out there. Love ya tons and looing forward to seeing you in a short while!

Joanna said...

wow - what a traumatic situation, i feel like damage to my eyes would make me feel the most vulnerable, yikes. I'm glad that it is all turning out ok and that you have lots of good people around you! xx

Susan said...

Saddest day of my life. No Grey's Anatomy last night. Just a re-run at 10. Darcen and I were disappointed for the rest of the night.