KEEPING MY EYE ON THE PRIZE: Recovering/Thanksgiving from a Retinal Detachment in Northern California

Dear Friends and Blogging pals,

A few years ago I had retinal tears in my left eye.  It was a very frightening situation for me as I am an artist, I paint paintings, furniture and lots of decorative accessories.  I need my eyes.  After five surgeries (and a 8 month silicone behind the eye treatment)  and a brand new lense implanted in my eye, I could see again.  Not as well as before but gradually my vision corrected.  My fear faded and I did have my 'good' right eye which gave me huge reassurance as I painted my art projects in the studio everyday.

Recently I experienced flashes in my right eye.  I knew from my earlier experience that those flashes could be a sign of another retinal problem.  This time my 'good'  eye was vulnerable and I became very nervous as I live quite far away from Guatemala City and up very near the volcanos at a higher elevation than where I would be treated.   Surgery was needed and recovery seemed difficult as there would be lots of back and forth visits to my much trusted and fine Opthamologists, Dr. Luis and Jorge, Guatemala City.  So,  I opted to take a bit of a risk a travel to my nieces home near Sacramento, California (bonus, she is a nurse).   Thanks to Kelsie Reed, Elizabeth Bell, Juan Carlos Castillo Fuentes, Mark Creelman and Burton Pasternak I was swept off, literally door to door, to the airport the very next morning.  I had great flight connections in Houston and then quickly on to Sacramento where my niece had arranged an appointment with a leading Opthamologist.  Relief, happiness and peace of mind immediately came to mind (plus much inspiration from the dozens of prayers from my facebook and blogger friends around the world).

The very next day I had surgery.  I also had the most amazing and updated treatment one could ever hope for.  The surgeon, Dr. Robert Wendel was splendid as was all the support group of pre-op nurses, operating room staff and a really fine anatheisiologist...a giant of straightforward calm and caring.  The surgery, installing a ' buckle '  around my retinal detachment was a success.

I've had one follow up visit with Dr. Robert.  He thinks all is healing especially well and I will have another visit with him next week to review my progress.  It seems that I will actually SEE better than before.  I am relieved, I feel glad to rest and regroup in the home of my niece, Jennifer, who along with her daughter Laura have been marvelous when caring for me.  Room service and every other kindness has been coming my way.

Thanks to all of you, both family and friends.  I am still regrouping but I have so much gratitude for all of you out there in facebook/bloggerlandia. 

Prayers of Thanksgiving,
LeonardoRicardo
Citrus Heights, California on a sunny/chilly day