Tiny bubbles... in my eye

It has been almost 9 weeks since my surgery, and no, I'm still not "better."  Well, I guess I am better than I was when my retina was detached, but when people ask, "Are you all 'better' now?," I think they usually mean, "You're back to normal, right?"  Normal is relative, as I have explained in previous posts.  I am back to work, back to driving, back to wearing my contact lenses, and in most ways, back to doing the things I did before my surgery... well, you know, everything except seeing 20/20.  Still, seeing well in one eye (or at all, really) is a blessing for which I remain thankful, and I am more and more hopeful for a full recovery as time goes on.

Lately, I have been experiencing the breaking up of the gas bubble in my eye.  The main bubble is shrinking in size, and as it does, smaller bubbles break off.  At first, the "friend" bubbles, as I call them, are the size of pin pricks, but they usually grow into a pencil eraser top size.  They tend to circle the main bubble like moons orbiting a planet, and when I tip my head side to side, I can make them move.  It's bizarre and fascinating and sometimes distracting, but I take it be a very good sign of progress.  Eventually, often in my sleep, these friend bubbles go away, and I am left with the ever shrinking main bubble, which is breaking up, getting smaller, and on its way to dissipating altogether.  I look forward to the morning I wake up to find it gone.

I have not updated my blog since Christmas Eve, and I am happy to report my spirits are much better than they were at the end of last year.  With this bubble shrinking, I finally feel like I am "on the other side" of this thing.  Sure, I will have to decide when to have a cataract surgery at some point in the future, but right now, I am getting along with the vision I have.  Feeling like I have some control over my care (i.e. when to have my next surgery) is empowering.  If only I had control over the recovery.  Patience and adaptability remain the keys to my sanity through this recovery... well, patience, adaptability, and a lot of prayers.  Thanks to all those who have and who continue to pray for my recovery.

My next follow up with the retina ophthalmologist is January 31.  I hope to have good news to share with you that day.  In the mean time, I will continue to live the best way I can.