Apologies for my absence since early July. Yes, I realize several bookish quotes of the day have popped up and a couple of Top Ten Tuesday posts as well. These were posts I had originally created and scheduled to post on select dates and times prior to July 4, 2023. I have had a flare up with my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) since early to mid July as well as dealing with a couple of ongoing health related issues regarding my left eye other visual issues for both eyes, which has affected my overall vision off and on since last November.
The condensed version of my eye health/vision is that a freckle/nevus and fluid build up at the back of the retina were discovered in my left eye near the optic nerve during an emergency visit with my optometrist late last November. It was these two things that had caused intense flashing light in my left eye's peripheral vision for roughly 10 minutes. This was how I ended up at my optometrist's office for an emergency visit in the first place.
I was sent to three different ophthalmologists to try and identify what the nevus/freckle was and why I was (and still am) having fluid build up in my left eye. Two of the ophthalmologists were ocular oncologists - one at UCSF Medical Center and the other at Stanford Medical Center. And yes, it was initially suspected that the nevus/freckle could potentially be eye cancer.
The good news at this point is that I recently learned that I DO NOT have eye cancer, but instead have an atypical nevus in my left eye. I still have to have my left eye routinely monitored every few months to make sure things remain stable within my left eye.
Anyway, I had a few weird visual issues on July 10th that landed me back at the doctor's office for an eye status update. The nevus/freckle looks to remain stable as of July 10th, so my most recent symptoms look to be related to having dry eyes and am on a dry eye protocol treatment plan for this condition and its symptoms at this time.
So this has been why you haven't seen me online recently. I was dealing with a few uncomfortable eye symptoms and also I couldn't type due to a crps flare up.
I was sent to three different ophthalmologists to try and identify what the nevus/freckle was and why I was (and still am) having fluid build up in my left eye. Two of the ophthalmologists were ocular oncologists - one at UCSF Medical Center and the other at Stanford Medical Center. And yes, it was initially suspected that the nevus/freckle could potentially be eye cancer.
The good news at this point is that I recently learned that I DO NOT have eye cancer, but instead have an atypical nevus in my left eye. I still have to have my left eye routinely monitored every few months to make sure things remain stable within my left eye.
Anyway, I had a few weird visual issues on July 10th that landed me back at the doctor's office for an eye status update. The nevus/freckle looks to remain stable as of July 10th, so my most recent symptoms look to be related to having dry eyes and am on a dry eye protocol treatment plan for this condition and its symptoms at this time.
So this has been why you haven't seen me online recently. I was dealing with a few uncomfortable eye symptoms and also I couldn't type due to a crps flare up.
In the meantime, I've been listening to audiobooks. Now that I am feeling better overall (thank goodness!!), I'm hoping to begin being more active with my blog again, catching up on my book reviews, and interacting with other book bloggers as well.
Take care and I hope you are all doing well!
Take care and I hope you are all doing well!
I'm so sorry to hear this, Lisa. I know how you can be handicapped by an illness since I have several myself but not being able to see must be terrible.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are a little better and I hope we can see more from you soon.
Thanks for all your comments on my blog. I have answered them all and hope you get the notifications. Blogger is not at its best right now.
Thank you, Marianne! The vision/visual issues has its ups and downs. I just have to roll with in and am simply thankful that it isn't eye cancer.
DeleteThat's all anyone can do with a chronic illness. Best wishes.
DeleteI'm so sorry you've been having such scary issues with your eyes! And I'm very glad it turned out to NOT be eye cancer. Not being able to see well is so stressful. I'm glad things are improving for you. I hope that continues! Wishing you all the best. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lark! The biggest issues recently had been very dry eyes, light sensitivity (to sunlight, blue light from electronic devices - including the tv, or simply having lights on inside my home), gritty feeling in my eyes, eye fatigue/strain, floaters, and other weird visual disturbances off an on for about 4 weeks starting July 10th. No fun for sure. Now, It's mainly dry eyes and eye fatigue/strain as the most prevalent symptoms.
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