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Thursday, November 13, 2014

It's a Good Day!

The picture above is of me skiing last winter. I had said, "I love this day!!!," and my husband shot the picture. Although the sun is not shinning today, I feel like I did that day, I love this day!

Just one week ago today, I went in for what I thought would be a normal eye exam appointment. My eye sight has always been stellar. In fact, I wrote on my donor card, "you want my eyes." So I thought this visit would be like any other, "hi, how are you, an exam and then great to see you,we'll see you next year."
Once my eyes were dilated, I realized that something wasn't right. She kept going back and rechecking certain areas. When the light was turned on, I could see that she was quite disturbed. Finally, she pulled out a chair and sat down, very uncharacteristic,  and then preceded to tell me that there are freckles on my retina, both the left and right, they had grown and she needed to send me to see a specialist. Needing to know more, I began to ask questions and finally asked, what does this mean? She took a deep breath and said, "cancer."
I left the office with my referral in hand and in a total state of shock. How could this be? I've had no pain, no change in my vision. I thought that maybe the eye infection I had earlier this summer had something to do with it, but no.
The next morning I made the appointment and was quite happy and surprised to get an appointment so quickly. But, of course, in the meantime, I began to research everything I could about the situation. The worst case scenario would be removal of the eyes, but even without that, blindness would be something that I would be facing. I cried all day Friday and all day Saturday. By Sunday, I was still crying, but I decided to turn my thoughts to the positive as it looked like that at the very least, I would have time to prepare.
During the appointment, my eyes were once again dilated. Pictures were taken, an ultrasound was done. The doctor did a lot of looking, and then asked me if there was a history of cancer in my family. My grandmother died from colon cancer when she was quite young. He then told me that what I have are moles on my retina, one that is quite large on the left and 2 on the right. He also said that there is a direct relationship with the moles on the retina and colon cancer. I was shocked.
Due to the history of my grandmother, I have had 2 colonoscopies, one just this summer. Both have been fine.
In the end, the moles are not malignant!!! Fabulous news :). The down side is that they are there and there is nothing I can do about it other than do as the doctor tells me to do and come in faithfully every 6 months and be monitored. I also have to be quite vigilant about doing  a colonoscopy. In the event that the moles do develop into a malignancy, there is treatment. The mole that is in the center of my right retina is the one that he said could be most problematic in regards to loss of vision.
For now though, I feel as though my vision has been restored, as if a miracle has happened.

I decided to share my story in the hope that it might encourage someone to have their eyes checked and in general to be more vigilant about their health. Please have your eyes checked and by all means allow the eye doctor to dilate your eyes. Think about your life and how dependent you are on your eyes. The investment of a small amount of discomfort could actually save your sight.

To loosely quote Lou Gehrig, "today I truly feel like the the luckiest woman in the world." The messages that have been left here on the blog, emails that were sent and phone calls made were just overwhelming. How could I possibly be so lucky to have so many people all over the world care so much about me? Yes, I am so very grateful that I will continue to have my sight, even if it turns out to be for just some time, but I am also so very grateful so all of you. Little did I know when I began this blog 5 years ago that my life would be so richly blessed.
Thank you.
Tomorrow is Friday and to celebrate, I will be back with a new Fabulous Free Pattern Friday post. I think you'll like it :)
Until then, I hope you can say with me, "I love this day!!!"
  



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49 comments:

  1. Rhonda, my father had this, his was malignant. Melanoma of the retina. This was some 40 years ago and little could be done then to save him. My oldest daughter has the same thing. Her eye doctor discovered a mole on her retina a few years ago and she goes in regularly to have it checked. So far, so good.
    Remember to keep your sun glasses always at hand. And take care of yourself. All will be well.

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  2. I love this day, too! I am so happy for you. I lost sight in one eye several years ago for no apparent reason, and I concur that the prospect of blindness is a cry-worthy situation. Every day when I awake and open my eyes, my first mental thought is, "Thank you, Lord, for the sight that I still have." Those of us who have learned so much from you pray for your continued good health and excellent vision!

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  3. Good news! Wow, what a story, Rhonda. I wondered what happened to you with the radio silence for several days. My oh my, I'm one of those who stick my head in the sand with the idea that ignorance is bliss. Even though I know it's not so. Good for you in taking care of yourself as a matter of course and dealing with whatever comes up. My hero.

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  4. Hallelujah! I've been checking the blog often for an update. Such WONDERFUL news! My sister has had a partially detached retina within the last 2 years. Five surgeries later she is 20/60 in that eye. Still has some loss of peripheral vision, but oh so thankful for her sight and a wonderful, kind surgeon at the Texas Retina Center. I'm so happy for your news! Now, time to sew again!!!!

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  5. Oh, Rhonda - I'm so sorry you went through this horrible upset. But so happy that it turned out to be OK!

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  6. Thank you for sharing with us Rhonda and being so brave! We are here for you and YES I love this day too and its a GREAT day! You are such a sweet and thoughtful young lady, and are adored by us all!

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  7. Thank you for letting us know about your situation, Rhonda; your many fans have been thinking of you. So smart of you to get regular eye exams and colonoscopies. I had never heard about the relationship of moles on the retina with colon cancer so thank you for that information.

    Nearly twenty years ago, I broke my regular eyeglasses and couldn't tape them back together. Although contact lenses were my usual eye correction, a person does need regular eyeglasses on hand, too. So, I made a much-overdue appointment for an eye exam. The exam revealed cancer in my left eye: choroidal melanoma. I had the eye removed. I had always thought a diagnosis of melanoma was a death sentence but so far, I've done fine. So I join with you, Rhonda, in urging people to get regular eye exams. And I thank the universe for breaking my glasses.

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  8. Rhonda thank you for sharing such a personal story. You are one of the most upbeat and positive people I know . Sending you all best wishes and even though it has been heavy rain and floods all day here in Ireland, I love this day.

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  9. Rhonda thank you for sharing such a personal story. You are one of the most upbeat and positive people I know . Sending you all best wishes and even though it has been heavy rain and floods all day here in Ireland, I love this day.

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  10. Wow! Amazing news. I am so happy for you. It reminds me a little of my mother's recent cancer scare, which turned out to be absolutely nothing. Sometimes that happens. Although no one would wish you to have to go through such an agonizing experience, it sounds as though you are using it to build up your joy in life. All the best!

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  11. OMG I just watched you on SEW IT ALL !! I LOVED the dress you made !!!! SEW AWESOME !!!!!
    So I decided to checkout your blog... My heart sank when I read your post about your eyes. I have a detached retina in my right eye since Mothers day 6 months ago, my Doctor has been very diligent in trying to save my eye, 5 laser surgeries, 1 cryo and vitrectomy, my retina is attached but my pressure has been low for a few weeks a 6 it needs to be between 10- 18 before he can do surgery to replace my lens. I too cried thinking I might go blind and knowing it has a good chance of happening in my left eye too....I LOVE to sew and paint, and right now I only have vision in my left eye, but Im not letting that stop me. I am teaching sewing lessons at Hobby Lobby and on my way out the door right now to go to a painting class. I am trusting God to heal my right eye and keep my left eye healthy!!!! I will be praying for you too !!! keep on living with Joy and Peace!!! God Bless you!!!!

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  12. I am so happy about your news, Rhonda as I know how devastating the loss of your vision woud be to someone so creative. Here is to your continuing good health with many good wishes. Xx

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  13. One of my children has lost most of the sight in their left eye due to ocular toxoplasmosis (a common parasite that infrequently attacks the eyes). Because this is not that common, it took a lot of testing to reach the proper diagnosis. While we are not happy about this and it is a situation that has to be monitored (antibiotics do not kill dormant parasites, and so far they have come back three times), the other possible diagnoses were worse. Ever since then, I have been hyper-aware of people with vision issues, and I, too, thank the Lord for every day of sight. While I am not glad you have these moles, I am glad it gives you an early warning system, and I thank you for sharing this story with the rest of us, reminding us to take care.

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  14. Isn't that the best news ever! It is a great day!!

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  15. Great news. A positive attitude is at least half the battle, and you certainly have that. I have always believed in Mind over matter. So, keep positive and with pray and belief you be seeing just fine for at least another 40 + years!!!!!!

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  16. I love this day! Thank you for sharing your story, Rhonda. I am thrilled and relieved that your follow-up appointment was encouraging. ;)

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  17. I'm so very happy for you! You've been on my mind since your Sunday post, and I'm so glad you were able to be seen quickly and that the news was positive.

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  18. Sending hugs and prayers. I'm glad that you have good news today and sad to read that the weekend and waiting was so emotional. Thank you for sharing this story and encouraging others to invest in their health, we're blessed that you shared this story and reminded us all to be grateful for what we have.

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  19. Rhonda, as I started reading I feared for the worst and imagined myself in your shoes, sort of speak. I can imagine what you felt when facing the risk of loosing your sight, it would mean not being able to do what you love the most in life. I am very relieved to hear that you're OK and I thank you deeply for sharing this.
    Wishing you all the best

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  20. I am so sorry you had this scare and happy that you have advance warning to be vigilant. Thank you for sharing, it could save someone's sight.

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  21. Thank you for sharing this very personal experience you've had. I'm thrilled to hear the moles are not malignant. It is a good day!

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  22. Thank you for sharing, I never knew this existed and certainly will be more vigilant. Bless you.

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  23. I'm so glad that there was a happy ending to your story. I'll be praying that tests in times to come yield the same results for you.

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  24. Rhonda, thank you for sharing your story. I am so happy for you.

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  25. Today I came across your blog on pinterest. It is very awesome. Thanks for sharing wonderful ideas for sewing.

    Have faith and be positive. Try meditation or yoga if you can. Good Luck :)

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  26. Rhonda, thank you for sharing your experience. This information you’ve shared is so important. A link between colon cancer and retinal moles. Wow.

    Sending Light to you for the highest good!

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  27. So happy for you and your good news. Forge on and make every day a special day !!

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  28. I am so happy for your good news. You are so inspiring and generous with your work and I look forward to lots of amazing projects in the future from you. God Bless!

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  29. Wonderful news and how interesting that they are connected. I've always had my eyes dilated at the optometrist and even though it is a bit annoying, it is for a very good reason.

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  30. Rhonda, thank you for sharing your story, for it is truly a lesson to not put off our check ups, and a lesson in gratitude. I am so thankful you remain in good health. That makes for a wonderful day.

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  31. I am sorry you had to go through the experience but very glad that the outcome was positive. You have given us all a reminder never to take our gifts for granted - enjoy and give thanks for every day.

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  32. I am so sorry, but pleased the outcome is positive

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  33. So sorry to hear about your scare, but so glad the news is positive. Thank you for sharing and the reminder not to take our health for granted. Sending prayers for complete healing your way.

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  34. Oh Rhonda. We all take things for granted so much of the time when really we should be thankful every day. Take care

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  35. Hi Rhonda, thanks for sharing your "adventure" with us. It is always wonderful to hear good news like this. However, I have no doubt that you would have figured out a way continue living life as vibrantly as you have so far! Maybe without a sewing machine, but you would figure something out.

    My son was a naturally gifted pianist when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor five years ago. The surgery to remove it (and we are so thankful it was operable) caused damage that affected his coordination, and his entire left side is now difficult to control. As if that weren't enough, the chemotherapy ruined much of his hearing. Nonetheless, he continues to play the piano and picked up the viola, too. He will likely never be as good as his 8-year old self was, but he enjoys life immensely and met a lot of wonderful people during his adventure, that he wouldn't otherwise know.

    Do take good care of yourself. Your message is probably helping many people realize the importance of regular eye exams or even a colonoscopy.

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  36. I am so happy for your good news. I have been hoping and praying for your report to be good. Screening test are a blessing in detecting such potential diseases. I also had a recent cancer scare so it truly is a great day when followup testing is negative for cancer. Your creations are so inspiring and so is are you.

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  37. I am so thrilled to hear your good news! When you alluded to it the other day, I immediately thought of the eye infection you had this summer. So glad to hear that the situation is good, and can be monitored! Celebrate! To life!

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  38. Oh Rhonda- I was so shocked reading this post. I am so glad that your moles are not malignant and I will book in and get mine checked out.

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  39. I was so worried for you, even though I just saw the Sunday post a few minutes ago.
    i never dreamed that the two things could be related. I've been through similar issues with things on my retinas so I feel your pain, and I will follow through on your advice. I can't believe that you had no symptoms in your vision, I have spots in mine and its quite noticeable.

    So happy for your relief, stay safe and God Speed.

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  40. O.M.G. What a roller coaster, Rhonda. I am so happy to hear that you ok!!!

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  41. Yes, it is a good day for us all to hear the good news. My post is late but I have been thinking about you. Fondly.

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  42. I'm very happy to hear this news. My thoughts have been with you.

    Rose in SV

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  43. While this is heart sinking information, I know of no one better equipped to handle life's ups and downs than you, dear Rhonda. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and big hugs sent your way.

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  44. I'm so happy to hear that it turned out to be okay. I know I don't comment often here but I really look up to you and your blog. Your work is exceptional and you are an inspiring and strong person. I wish you all the best in the world.

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  45. I've just caught up with this post - good news that all is okay - - in some ways this can be positive because you know that you must check these two areas now- and if anything needs to be done, it can be done in the early part of the process. Living now is very important way to deal with all these sorts of things. Glad to hear you have the all clear for now - all that we can ever hope for.

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  46. Tears welled up in my eyes when I read this post. Rhonda, my heart is aching and rejoicing at the same time. So glad you shared, as I just went to the eye doctor yesterday, for my yearly check into the tear in my retina. I have another followup to do before long. Now, you have impressed upon me to make it quick! Thanks for sharing.

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  47. I too am in tears reading this update, Rhonda. Thank you for sharing this message with all of us and making something good come out of something so unsettling. Your kindness and vulnerability come through in all you do. Yes, I hope you can feel comforted by virtual hugs from here and all around the world.

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