Ten on Tuesday: Ten Things I Worry About

2. My sister: Diagnosed with cancer last summer, she underwent surgery and has completed chemotherapy and radiation. She is getting her energy back now. Overall, she is doing really well for which we are extremely thankful.

3. My nephews: My sister’s illness has been very rough on them, even though they try not to let it show.

4. My eyesight: I have undergone four surgeries on my left eye and have only peripheral vision in it. In early 2001, I developed a large tear in my retina which was not properly diagnosed for five weeks. Once it was, I underwent surgery, but developed scar tissue which resulted in a fully detached retina. A second surgery was performed during which my eye was filled with silicone oil and I had to sleep on my left side for nearly a year to make the oil rise and the retina adhere. Then the oil had to be removed, but it destroyed the lens so cataract surgery was next, followed by yag lasering due to a secondary cataract. My right retina has never detached, but I have had lattice degeneration, as well as tears. It has been lasered in all four quadrants to prevent a full detachment and is full of floaters.

Every morning when I wake up and realize that I can see, I know it is going to be a really, really good day. Because after that, everything else is “gravy”.

Yes, detached retinas are caused, at least in part, by stress, and I am convinced that my retinal problems are yet another way in which litigating the case of Conservatorship of Wendland for six long years took a toll on my life and that of my family. (I will write more about this in the future.)

After the health and welfare of my family and my own ability to see so that I can continue earning a living, providing for my family, and functioning as close to normally as possible under the circumstances, there is absolutely nothing else on the face of this earth worth worrying about.

So there are no item numbers 5 through 10.

ten on tuesday