Things are more than they seem...
It's been 10 days since my right eye was surgically removed, and I can honestly say that I am feeling good!
When the surgeon came out to talk to my parents, he explained the procedure in detail. And all I can say is that God is still working miracles in my life every single day!
The first issue after the surgery that I was supposed to deal with was extreme and uncomfortable pain. The crazy thing is, I can hardly remember the first couple of days after the surgery. I slept so much! It was painful at times, but nothing like they made it out to be.
The second issue we were told to expect was a lot of swelling in my eye, face, and under my eye. My eye was expected to turn black and blue all around my eye and traveling down as far as my jaw line on my face. Well, i had minimal bruising on my eyelid and under my eye and no swelling at all. I was more pufffy under my eyes from sleeping so much than anything!
The surgeon told us that because of all the swelling, I wouldn't be able to be fitted for my prosthetic eye for about 5 weeks. Well, no swelling = quicker eye ball! My appointment for that is a lot sooner than expected!
All I can say is "Thank you Lord!" He continues to amaze me with His grace and healing power, and with opportunities to share my story.
Just in case you are not aware of the process of what I am going through, let me help you understand what they have done and why...
When we struck the truck in front of us, my airbag pretty much exploded in my face. It happened so fast, I had little time to react. I lifted my left arm up to brace myself, thus, I'm assuming, why I broke my arm when the airbag came out. But, I thank God for that. If I hadn't done that, I really think the airbag would have caused the damage in both my eyes...not just my right eye.
They call my injury a traumatic globe rupture with a detached retina. My right eye ruptured and was blown open. On the night of the accident, they pretty much just stuffed it back together and sewed it shut to talk about what our options are. The danger of keeping my damaged eye in there was that it could eventually affect my vision in my left eye. Normally, this affect could happen 4-6 weeks after the injury or months down the road. However, their advice was to remove it and replace it with a fake eye.
Back in the day, a "glass eye" was used for people who had to have their eye removed. Well today, a prosthetic eye is now used. It's generally made of hard, plastic acrylic. The prosthetic eye is shaped like a shell.
The prosthetic eye fits over an ocular implant. That's what I have now--the implant. I have it covered with a hard plastic shell to protect my eye until I can get the prosthesis fitted to the shape of my eye socket. I'm supposed to wear shatterproof glasses to protect my eye, which you will be seeing on me very soon!
The ocular implant that is now in place of my right eye is a separate hard, rounded device that is deep in my eye socket and is wrapped with living tissue from a donor that I don't even know! I didn't have enough good tissue around my eye to cover the implant, so I was a recipient of someone's else's--another miracle!
It feels weird not having a normal looking eye. When I look into the mirror, it's a fleshy-looking ball. Some may be grossed out about it. But, if they only knew the miracle of life I do have, my eye would only be the testimony to my story, and not something to stare at. That is what I am overcoming each day--what I look like in the natural. When I look in the mirror, my mind wants to tell me negaive things like--"that's ugly", or "people will be grossed out if you don't cover your eye", or even "you'll never look normal again." But if I look at myself in a spiritual way, I realize that I'm so blessed to be able to look in the mirror. I could have been blind in both eyes. Even more, I could have been dead. It's not always what we see in front of us, but what's the story behind that not-so-normal eye!
For now, the waiting continues. In about 3-5 weeks, I will receive a removable prosthesis that will fit over my ocular implant. (I know...a lot of big words! But I guess I have to learn them...lol) After healing is complete, a specialist, called an Ocularist, will make a wax impression of the front of the eye socket. Then, the ocularist will build a custom prosthetic eye to fit over the ocular implant. The last phase will be the craziest of all. A girl from Indianapolis will carefully paint a new Iris by hand to matchmy left eye. Once everything is said and done--you'll be taking a double take to figure out which eye I can see out of!
Obviously, I look forward to that day. But I continue to strengthen my faith in knowing that God will always cause good to come out of every situation. Every day in a new day to experience His love and mercy. I am thankful that I am beating every odd against me. Even my doctor said that I am healing a lot faster than any other patient. He was shocked at how well I am doing. I am still battling a few headaches here and there, but I know God's hand is upon me. My vision is just a matter of time! 20/20 in both eyes is where my faith is! I encourage you to keep fighting the good fight of faith. Don't always look in the natural, but really try to see with spiritual eyes. You never know what you might miss out on if you don't!
2 Corinthians 4:6-9
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
I am an overcomer!
PS
Take time to listen to my worship selection! It will definitely encourage you as it has me!
