Frightening Friday

Finley Cane Trail - GSMNP

February 1, 2011

Let's get the Frightening Friday out of the way first because I'm weary with having to write about my latest "infection," but in the interest of reporting Life Through Sharon's Eyes as it happens, here it is!  And you have no idea, the irony in the word "eyes."  Look at today's picture from a hike earlier this month.  The path was straight as an arrow just like I thought my road to total recovery was headed.  And all of a sudden, it all took a very sharp turn...........................

Feeling much encouraged by how much better I've been feeling, this past Thursday afternoon, I went out with a lengthy list of errands including finding and purchasing all my Valentine Gifts.  At some point, I stood up from getting something off a lower rack and had a searing pain go through my right eye.  I had never in my entire life experienced anything like that and it scared the you know what out of me.  The intense shooting pain subsided as quickly as it had come on, but I noticed that my eye just hurt and I had become very sensitive to light.  I'm not going to drag this tale out, but after a sleepless night, I had to admit that this wasn't a simple case of eyestrain and was able to get into my eye doctor's office early Friday morning.  Let me just insert here that I cannot remember  experiencing such PAIN in a long time.  It was intense and it was constant.  The doctor had to numb my eye in order for me to open it wide enough for him to examine.  He immediately diagnosed Keratitis with Infiltrates which basically means an infected cornea.  With the drops taking effect, I was able to concentrate enough to answer his questions and he quickly determined that it was another residual effect of the head infection I've been trying to recover from.  Treatment is antibiotic and anti-inflammatory (both in the form of drops), keeping still and quiet in a darkened room, and no reading, computer or TV for 24 hours.  This wasn't as hard as it might seem, because I had no desire to do any of those things.  

As he told me it would, the medication began helping immediately and it was determined through his follow-up call Saturday morning, that I did not need to come back for an examination.  I am so thankful he (my own doctor) was the doc on call for the weekend.  It just made things simpler!  There is still some pain, but NOTHING compared to what I experienced on Friday.   I am still on a ridiculous schedule for administering the drops and I return for a follow-up appointment on Tuesday, but I think the worst behind me.  I hope I never experience anything like that again.  He seems to think there was nothing I did wrong - it just happened.  I did learn from Google searching that once this happens, it is likely to happen again.  Eek!!  

My lesson:  I continue to be totally humbled at the gift of good health.  I find myself wondering if I'll ever feel strong and energetic again, yet being so grateful for caring physicians and medications that can make an immediate difference when something goes haywire.  You've heard it from me a lot lately, but it bears repeating.  DO NOT TAKE YOUR HEALTH FOR GRANTED AND DO ALL YOU CAN TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH YOU HAVE!

I have made a few less than stellar food choices since my last post, but according to Mr. Scale, no damage has been done.  And the poor choices have all been portion control issues, not wrong eating decisions.  This is an ongoing problem for me and I am so tired of it.  There can be no fault found with my overall eating habits - they are healthy and they incorporate a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, healthy carbs, fats and proteins.  

Here's an example.  Most of you know that Mr. B is the Master Chef in our family.  He loves to cook, gets better at it all the time and I am more than happy to hand him that exclusive privilege. I plan the menus and he follows the plan!  Friday evening, I was feeling much better and was hungry.  The menu was Grilled Ribeyes, baked potatoes and brussell sprouts (however he wanted to make them).  When he handed me my plate, it contained at least a double portion of everything.   I should've immediately gone back to the kitchen and halved every item.  The other half would've been PERFECT for Mr. B's lunch on Monday.  But no, it looked divine, I rationalized that everything on the plate was "healthy" and I ate every doggone bite.  It was good - it was just too much and until I learn to practice portion control in EVERY circumstance, I do not believe I will reach or maintain my goal weight.   And to do that, I recognize that a decision must be made at the point of impulse just like I said in my last post and is becoming a repeated mantra to me.  

Please do not berate me for continuing to whine about the same thing over and over because if you know me from reading my story from it's beginning, you know how far I've come.  This is so much better and I am so proud of the progress I've made.  Referring again to Friday's dinner, at least I thought about it and realized there was too much on my plate.  I contemplated going back to the kitchen and even had a use for the half I didn't eat.  That is progress, believe me!  I now have confidence that this is the last hurdle to overcome and I am ever so surely, getting there.   I absolutely CANNOT wait!!   Come, go with me!