Another Bulletin From Blindland
Oct. 19th, 2004 09:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mmerriamI have, in the last three weeks, visited both Dr. Bhavsar at the Retina Center and Dr. Stockenstrom, my primary ophthalmologist. Both visits went as well as could be expected. I still have retinitis pigmentosa, I'm still going blind, so on and so forth. They both agreed that I should see my Internist about the headaches, as it probably is migraines. One thing I've been reading about recently is that the onset of migraines are not uncommon for someone in the end stages of a degenerative eyes disease. They also noted a dark spot on each retina, but they both reassured me that it was just a natural part of the aging process.
Dr. Bhavsar decided to pass on doing an Electroretinogram, because there is so little rod activity left, it's almost impossible to measure. The Visual Field Test Dr. Stockenstrom administered showed about 14 degrees of peripheral vision. The last one showed 10 degrees, but I was having a good vision day today. We've decided to leave the cataract (a by-product of the RP) alone at this time, as it isn't really bothering me. The possible risks from surgery simply outweigh the benefits at this point. One thing I like about Dr. Stockenstrom; although he's a surgeon, he doesn't think surgery is the answer to everything. He tends to take a "if it's working, let's just leave it alone" approach.
I've finished my rehab classes at Vision Loss Resources. I feel good about everything I've learned. I'm sure the Braille instructor would love to have kept me for a few more weeks, but all I've been doing is going to class and reading from my Braille book. I can do that at home, and not have to spend two hours riding buses and walking to and from places. There will be a small ceremony at school on Monday to note my finishing the program.
I feel like another stage in my life has ended along with my classes. I came out of VLR with a new set of skills and tools to make my life better, and to allow me to continue living my life on my terms. I think the most important thing VLR did for me though, was to put me in a setting with other visually impaired people. It was reassuring to be with others who were riding along with me on this strange trip my life had become.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who've been supportive of me while I adjusted to the new reality. Granted, there's still some adjusting yet to do, but things have come a long way since that day I handed in my car keys. Back then I wasn't sure things were ever going to be all right in my life ever again. Now I know my life's as good as I'm willing to make it.
I plan to start job hunting after the holidays, looking for something part-time in a bookstore or library, then back to college next fall. In the meantime, I plan to finish the novel and get reacquainted with my guitars.
In Peace
Michael
Dr. Bhavsar decided to pass on doing an Electroretinogram, because there is so little rod activity left, it's almost impossible to measure. The Visual Field Test Dr. Stockenstrom administered showed about 14 degrees of peripheral vision. The last one showed 10 degrees, but I was having a good vision day today. We've decided to leave the cataract (a by-product of the RP) alone at this time, as it isn't really bothering me. The possible risks from surgery simply outweigh the benefits at this point. One thing I like about Dr. Stockenstrom; although he's a surgeon, he doesn't think surgery is the answer to everything. He tends to take a "if it's working, let's just leave it alone" approach.
I've finished my rehab classes at Vision Loss Resources. I feel good about everything I've learned. I'm sure the Braille instructor would love to have kept me for a few more weeks, but all I've been doing is going to class and reading from my Braille book. I can do that at home, and not have to spend two hours riding buses and walking to and from places. There will be a small ceremony at school on Monday to note my finishing the program.
I feel like another stage in my life has ended along with my classes. I came out of VLR with a new set of skills and tools to make my life better, and to allow me to continue living my life on my terms. I think the most important thing VLR did for me though, was to put me in a setting with other visually impaired people. It was reassuring to be with others who were riding along with me on this strange trip my life had become.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who've been supportive of me while I adjusted to the new reality. Granted, there's still some adjusting yet to do, but things have come a long way since that day I handed in my car keys. Back then I wasn't sure things were ever going to be all right in my life ever again. Now I know my life's as good as I'm willing to make it.
I plan to start job hunting after the holidays, looking for something part-time in a bookstore or library, then back to college next fall. In the meantime, I plan to finish the novel and get reacquainted with my guitars.
In Peace
Michael
