"pink eye"

My “pink eye” turned out to be a more serious eye inflammation that affected my vision. Sunday night, I was in so much pain that my husband had to rush me to the Emergency Room and then I woke up last Monday morning unable to see anything with my left eye.

We were in New York City and supposed to board a ship docked in Manhattan Port that afternoon for an 8-day cruise to the Bahamas, returning on 5/22. We never made it to the ship. We sought an eye doctor in the city and were told this is a serious condition. We started crying in his clinic (and I still can’t tell this story without crying). It was the scariest moment of my life!

We had to go to a Retina Specialist immediately. This type of Retina Specialist is rare, comprising less than 5% of eye doctors, but our good doctor called up his colleagues and got us an appointment on the same day. We felt we were in New York City for a reason.

The specialist did several tests, prescribed us a bunch of eyedrops and pills, and advised us to stay in NYC so they can watch it closely. They only released us on Thursday, after they confirmed that I’m out of immediate danger. The good news is that my right eye is fine, and my left eye seems able to bounce back. The bad news is that it may take 6-8 weeks for my vision to return to normal.

They found me another specialist in Columbus to monitor my progress, and another critical point would be after 8 weeks when they try to get me off the medicines because it may come back. Right now, some vision on my left eye has returned – it’s like looking at a fogged up mirror. I have to constantly check if it is getting better or worse.

On top of our medical crisis, it was also a bad week to be in NYC. Hotel room prices skyrocketed due to a couple of conventions and we had to move to a different hotel almost every night to get a more affordable room. And finally, we had to re-book our flights and ended up flying to Dulles first and then Pittsburgh.

Inspite of it all, I am grateful for God's continuous mercy and guidance during this trying experience. We believe He brings us to the right places and right people, at the right time. I'm also thankful for a loving husband who takes very good care of me. I remember laying in the ER bed in so much pain, and him whispering, "I'm so sorry honey... you know I will trade places with you in a second."