Life’s funny isn’t it? The only certainty is things will change, if things are going well then things happen, if things aren’t going well then things happen, the only certainty is things will happen. It’s how we respond, react, and deal with that make the difference because the things will continue to happen.
On the 21st of this month I developed some eye problems, a huge amount of floaters in my vision. It looked like someone had dropped black ink into my eye. I know I’m high risk for retinal detachment so I went straight to hospital. Smart move, they did laser treatment there and then. Unfortunately it didn’t settle down well and, cutting a long story, a retinal tear, a vitreous bleed and multiple visits to the eye clinic later they decided to operate the following Thursday.
If you’re squeamish don’t click the link below however if you want to see the skills and magic of modern medicine check out this link on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FJYeEGl98g
Post op I have had to stay almost totally still in a seated position including sleeping nights on the sitting room sofa bolt upright. I’m allowed 10 minutes every hour to walk around and get a brew otherwise its back on the couch which has been very interesting. Very thought provoking, quite a lot runs through you head in 7 days doing nothing.
My biggest reflection is how grateful I am. Here are a just few things for which I am so very lucky.
ü If I lived in a less developed country I’d have lost the eye.
ü There has been nothing but love and support from my wife, children and friends
ü The NHS – I can’t say enough good things about the care I’ve had from Sheffield Hallamshire Eye Clinic
ü Soon, I should be able to see again
ü I got to recover in a seated position, some folks have to do it lying down ... for 7 days, face down, can you imagine!
ü Day time telly – actually, that’s been the thing I’ve done least of
ü The internet – How amazing is it to be able to keep so connected from your sitting room
ü It could have been so much worse
ü Most of my other bits seem to work pretty well
ü Books – anything you ever wanted to know or understand is in a book
There are loads more but I’m in danger of sounding a bit sickly aren’t I? So to answer my own question about what I did this week? Well, I had a brand new experience, I had so much time to think and I’ve got a new perspective on what’s important.
What did you do this week?
Piers Carter
