10.15.2008

'Great gettin'-up morning'

You’ve heard the phrase. You’ve read it. So many times, it might sound trite. This morning, MY HEART IS FILLED WITH JOY.

Right out of cataract surgery yesterday morning, I began to see improvement in every aspect of my vision. Having lost so much of it in such a brief span of time, I’ve never appreciated sight more than I do this morning.

Outside, the “white fog” has lifted. I can see the pines beyond my porch – green against a blue sky. I can see the neighbor’s car and tell it’s white. How can I put into words what it means to open my front door and not be greeted by a wall of white glare?

At home yesterday I gave myself little “eye tests” all day. I can see television, the faces of the news. Hell, I can read the crawler! I can read can labels. I can enjoy my framed art prints – “Rose” and “Calla Lily,” representing three women I admire: Rose Kennedy, Rosa Parks and Katharine Hepburn. I’m gushing.

I can see a light bulb, no longer in a blinding pool of glare!

Fonts – words – on my computer and videomagnifier are crisp and clear, no longer lost in blurred whiteness. I will have to get used to sitting up straight in my computer chair, my nose no longer touching my monitor’s screen.

On the phone last night, my great-nephew Michael Bradshaw told me to “watch ‘Charlie Wilson’s War.’ “ The movie, based on one of my favorite books from last year’s reading (“talking books”) list, was “On Demand” when I was in Mississippi. We all watched it, and Michael remembered me saying, “I just wish I could see it.” I told him, it’s on my agenda!

Can you imagine being excited over paying a bill? I just saw a return address in the corner of an envelope and could see the check I wrote to pay the bill it held!

Effusive? Yes! And, feeling what William Wordsworth felt when he stumbled upon “a host of golden daffodils.”

Thanks to all of you who care. And, to Charlie, Teresa and Chris for their help.

I am thankful to God for leading me to the skilled hand and good judgment of Dr. Boris Ilg.

Retinitis pigmentosa might eventually rob me of my sight, but that fickle foe can never take from me my feelings on this “great gettin’-up morning.”

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

In Frodo's office there is one side of a filing cabinet which is devoted to great words. He can scan over "let the word go forth from this time and place" to "From the ashes a fire shall be woken" in order to suit his need for inspiration. Today, he adds "Great gettin-up morning" to his collection. Frodo smiles.

Anonymous said...

Hallejulah, BJ, we need to do the chicken dance!

Anonymous said...

Over the past 24 hours the tears have been flowing.

As I had my coffee at 5:00A.M. on Tuesday morning, tears ran down my face. ANTICIPATION! When the phone rang again at 9:00A.M. and I heard "I could see the trees from the car on my way home", I cried again. JOY! It's Tuesday 7:30A.M. and I just read your post. More waterworks. CELEBRATION!

My heart overflows Auntie. I am so thrilled with your wonderful outcome. Love - Nurt

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! This is wonderful news. Frodo has it right to keep this post for inspiration. It is poetry at its best.

Love,
Phil

Anonymous said...

BJ, this is wonderful news. We celebrate with you and your good fortune to see the world in a clear light. I can only try to imagine what it must feel like for you. Sometimes words are inadequate in expressing our feelings of gratitude to the Great Physician from whom all great and loving gifts flow. I'm so happy for you.

May each day get better than the day before. Hopefully you will have even more rejoicing to do after the next surgery. How marvelous that would be.

May all of your mornings be as glorious as this one.

We love you,

Jan

Anonymous said...

Great news! I rejoice with you! This the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it!

Tim

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you I have goose bumps! Do you have VCR or DVD? Will send movies!


bja

Anonymous said...

B.J.,
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW. THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS. I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU. EVERYDAY WILL BE A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR YOU NOW. A SECOND CHANCE TO SEE YOUR WORLD AND
ALL IT SIGHTS. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU,DEB
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

BJ,

I am so glad that everything went well with your operation. You go, girl!

A.

Anonymous said...

We should all take a moment in a quiet place and feel the presence of God. I am thankful that he brought some light into our friends life. I prey he (she) will feel our gratitude and the warmth we are feeling from this wonderful news.

Richard

Anonymous said...

Merry, I can't believe this! What wonderful wonderful news. I'm stunned, really, it's only medical science, but it does seem like a miracle. To see again. What a hoot. You have 9 lives. I cannot tell you how many times I wished this for you. I never dreamed there would be such a difference. I'll bet you don't sleep at all anymore. I think good things happen to people who work so hard to stay positive, and who, as my father always said, "don't take 'no' for an answer."

Anonymous said...

Just got through reading your blog....wonder if your eye doc knows what he has done????? LOL So glad to see you, virtual pen in hand, doing what you love best. Love ya

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord! Great to hear the news!

B.J. said...

Thanks to all of you for commenting! Yes, I believe in miracles, but the miracle for me was getting to Dr. Ilg. The first doctor had advised me, “Why bother?” There was the question of how much vision loss was attributable to RP and how much to the cataracts. But, I knew. I knew. And, what if I hadn’t been persistent? So, much credit is due the good physician who bothered. Thanks again for all your comments and emails! BJ