*Not your typical #selfiesunday *
I had a freak accident in my bathroom Thursday morning, a slip that resulted in me severely poking my right eye with my finger (which is my dominant eye–used for the viewfinder). I started out in the St Helena hospital (north end of Napa Valley), and they eventually found someone to take me in 100 miles away at Stanford University, where a team operated on me in the wee hours of Friday morning. They fixed a rupture in the back of the globe, but there is also damage to the retina and related tissue as well as blood inside my eyeball. It appears that I will have multiple surgeries in upcoming weeks. I currently have no vision in that eye and they have given me little hope that the future surgeries will do anything to bring it back, but they are needed for the health of the globe itself.
Without some sort of miracle, I'll have to re-learn a lot about how to live out my photography passion, not to mention my daily life tasks.
Just another reminder to appreciate what you have while you have it!
[Update, June 22, 2016] I had 3 retina reattachment surgeries after the initial emergency surgery.. in Jan, Feb, and Mar. This time, it seems to be staying in place. They took my lens out and have filled the globe with silicon oil. Right now, I just see light and dark, and I wear a 'pirate patch' most of the time due to the distraction.
One more surgery has just been scheduled for August 2 where they'll insert an artificial lens and swap out the oil for saline. It will make the vision sharper, but my retina is pretty messed up, so the image will likely be quite distorted, and may not align well with my good eye image (in other words, double vision). If it's bad enough, they'll prescribe a lens that purposely blurs things again.
db
Not your typical #selfiesunday
I had a freak accident in my bathroom Thursday morning, a slip that resulted in me severely poking my right eye with my finger (which is my dominant eye–used for the viewfinder). I started out in the St Helena hospital (north end of Napa Valley), and they eventually found someone to take me in 100 miles away at Stanford University, where a team operated on me in the wee hours of Friday morning. They fixed a
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So sorry to hear about this. I've had eye surgery this fall. It's not fun. Best of healing, prayers, and thoughts for you.
Oh my gosh I hope surgery is effective in bringing your vision. You shouldn't give up hope. Mind is a very powerful thing!
Oh no Dave. I cannot even imagine how painful that is. I do wish you quick success in releasing things with your other eye. The brain can be remarkably adaptable when necessary.
I am so sorry you have to go through this. But don't give up home. We have an amazing ability to heal, it's been proven over and over. Your body is a miracle in itself. Try to be positive and serene, it will make a world of difference. I am sending prayers and healing vibes and all that stuff. You are in my thoughts.
Oh man, sending you all the best wishes. Hopefully you will get well in time. Stay strong!
Oh wow! Or should I say ouch! I do hope the surgery does bring back your vision.
This is a bad news! Sorry for this accident! Hopefully you will recover better that the prognostic. Don't give up!
So sorry for that, hope you will recovery !
Oh no +Dave Bell! Try to keep your spirits up. You still have an eye, and doesn't mean you can't shoot. Give it time. All the best in your recovery
Oh my lord! Keep your spirits up! Big hugs!!!!
oh gosh. you're in my prayers!
Wow…. And I thought having to get out of bed today sucked. It will be interesting to see if you have to change eyes for viewfinder use how that will change perspective of the entire world. The Dr's at Stanford are the best.
Ooh my! I'm so sorry! I hope everything work out
Oh Dave. I'm so sorry to hear about this horrible accident. We never know when life is going to deal us something like this. Never take your health for granted. I sincerely hope you recover well and learn to adapt.
Saying a prayer for you +Dave Bell. I hope you are able make a full recovery.
Thinking of you, +Dave Bell . Positive thoughts for the best possible outcome for you. I'm sorry you are having to experience this. Heal well, Dave.
Thank you all for stopping by to give me encouragement. It is very much appreciated…I love my G+ family.
+Lee Sackett +Joanna Koziara +Elizabeth Hahn +Karin Nelson +Jiri Papakiriakos +Joe Frazee +Alen Ianni +Virpi Flankkila +Blake Zimmerman +Chris Rademaker +The Flash +Brent Burzycki +debi scott +Marc Briggs +Chris Sullivan +Darcee McCutcheon
I'm so sorry to hear this Dave and Scott and I are praying for that miracle and believing it will happen so that you'll regain sight in that eye. Take care of yourself and we'll keep praying.
Thank you so much, +Kalebra Kelby. Your daily inspiration here on G+ is a big help!
Wishing you the best! Positive energy directed your way!
+Dave Bell very sorry to hear the news of this accident! I hope and pray that you have a team of specialists who will be able to treat the damage and recover your sight! Wishing you the best, especially this holiday season!
Geez, I wish you all the best for a recovery!
O Dave…! heck that looks pretty serious, and I hope you recover from that nasty injury as quickly as possible. God Bless, and all the very best for 2016.
My next surgery will be in San Francisco on Monday. They will try to remove the blood that is inside my eye, and reattach the retina using a "scleral buckle".
Best of luck on the procedure Dave!
All the best +Dave Bell!
I just saw this. Yikes! It looks very painful, ugh! ((((HUGS)))) I hope by now you're doing better!!!!
Yeah, +Sharon Stone, pretty scary. It doesn't look nearly so bad from the outside anymore, but I can't really see anything except light and dark, and a little motion. The recovery from surgery was rough… nausea and pain, and lots of time spent face-down.
My cousin's husband had a detached retina and had to spend time facedown which sounds awful to me, but he didn't lose his sight. Do they think yours might come back?
+Sharon Stone They are not very confident about return of sight. I do have some blurry vision. I can recognize number of fingers held up (usually) and movement. Odd thing is that everything is rotated about 30 degrees right so it doesn't align with the image from the other eye. Perhaps my brain will figure it out in a few months.
Do they know why the rotation? I hope that your eyes do adjust to one another. It has to be awfully difficult if they don't!
+Sharon Stone I haven't had a chance to ask yet. I have an appointment with the surgeon on Friday to follow up on all aspects of the operation, and the future… whether or not more operations will be needed…
I'll hold good thoughts, +Dave Bell!!!