My eye check up discovered a new bleed in my bad eye. I have macular degeneration, so it's disappointing, but not a shock. I have to have treatment to stop the bleed next week. There is some risk, but it's worth it to halt the loss of vision. What I noticed in the office is how tense I was waiting for the doctor and then overhearing other patients talking and laughing with technicians distracted me, and a sense of not being alone comforted me. I thought: millions of people are in doctors offices right now are feeling nervous and afraid of the worst. This is a part of being a human being, if you're lucky enough to be able to go to a doctor. And I love my eye doctor. He's my favorite doctor I see. He was empathetic and genuinely dismayed that the lazer scan showed the fluid. I'm not alone in this struggle, and these stresses are a part of life when you are getting older. The alternative, as they say, is worse.
So eavesdropping comforted me. I highly recommend it. Yes, I'm facing this alone in one way, but I have supportive family, friends and doctors, and I feel blessed. Even though my eyes are still dialated, I'm appreciating my sight and my good eye, and will do what it takes to save as much of my vision as I can. So a shot in the eye is not the worst thing. The worst would be if there was no treatment to try. I'm grateful. Bless those cheerful patients joking and teasing and facing their challenges. I'll follow their example.
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