So, when I was 21, I had saved up a bunch of money because I was planning on getting laser eye surgery done. I have needed glasses since I was in grade three, and like my underarm sweat gland surgery, I kind of felt like if I could improve one thing in my life health-wise without too much risk, then why not? Make life just a little bit easier for myself.
What I ended up finding out was completely unexpected.
When I went to see my optometrist to ask about what his thoughts were on the surgery and ask for a referral, he actually told me that in my situation, that surgery would be virtually pointless and far too dangerous.
First off, because of my auto-immune disorders and medications that I have to take, the risk of scar tissue was much greater and I could go blind because of it.
Secondly, he proceeded to tell me that since I was 18, he has noticed things called Drusen in my eyes and has been tracking it very closely. He didn't tell me much, but he wanted to send me to an ophthalmologist to take a better look.
When I saw the ophthalmologist, I got a rude awakening.
I was told that I have Macular Degeneration. No one (at that point) had any idea why I had developed this disease, since it is strictly in people who are over the age of 65. He said that my eyes look like they are about 70 years old. He also explained that I will eventually lose my central vision because of this disease, and that he had no idea when it would happen.
Not a great appointment for a 21 year old.
So... I went home.. I took three days off of school and work, pretty much cried the entire time, and then came up with a plan.
My parents told me that I had racked up quite a large amount of airmiles, and since they were primarily from my medications, they suggested that I use them.
There were several trips that I wanted to take, several ideas. One idea was that I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Cedar Point - the rollercoaster amusement park. But then I thought - you know, if my central vision goes, I could still really enjoy a rollercoaster. In fact, riding a rollercoaster blind might even be more thrilling!! So I decided on something more practical - more exotic!
I wanted to see as much as I could - before I no longer had the option.
For the next three years, I ended up traveling to Montreal for a weekend, I went on a cruise to Mexico with a great friend of mine, then I went on a cruise to the Mediterranean by myself, followed by a solo backpacking trip in Europe, a trip to Toronto to visit one of my cousins, and one final trip to Europe with a friend from school who was already out there.
Yes it was horrible news - but it was a blessing in disguise.
I have no idea if I will ever be able to travel like that again. I am more than thrilled that I took those trips when I did.
I am also very lucky that the Macular Degeneration has not progressed all that much since.
Awful news that is always on the back of my mind, but a definite forceful hand for me to just GO and explore the world before the opportunity was taken away.
Bad news is bad news. But sometimes it brings about some amazing experiences that I would not have had otherwise.
No comments:
Post a Comment