The Girl in Gucci Glasses

20%.

That’s the amount of my vision I had left two years ago.

Today was my second ophthalmology appointment of the year. And if you knew what it took to get to this point of only two visits a year — you’d cry.

I used to go to all of my specialists monthly. Sometimes several times a month

The road was filled with endless appointments spent with neurologists, ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, and so on.

Treatment started with routine lumbar punctures to drain the excess cerebral fluid from my brain.

Then we added a plethora of medication to the mix, the worst being one that would deplete your potassium levels and give you daily neuropathy.

And of course, I had more MRIs and MRV’s than most people do in a lifetime.

Although things were grim — sporadic blackouts, failing vision, debilitating pain, and residual optic nerve damage…

I never lost hope.

I’ve always had my head on my shoulders pretty tight, but when I tell you that almost going blind and being so close to having brain surgery changed my perspective…man. It did.

So much of what we prioritize isn’t important. It’s materialistic nonsense. And the irony is, much of what we put second, should be first on our priority list.

I’m grateful that I had the blessing of insurance, which allowed me to see a skilled optometrist years ago who pointed out my problem in a routine visit.

From there I saw many specialists, and continue to.

But the ones I love, respect, and appreciate the most are my main neuro and my primary ophthalmologist. Those two worked in tandem and were with me through some dark moments.

Today I cried as my ophthalmologist showed me the progress pictures of my eyes. I realized I never thought this moment would come. I genuinely didn’t. And she didn’t either.

I’m just so freaking blessed. And I never want to forget that.

I’m grateful. So grateful.

Now when I wear my obnoxious Gucci frames, I smile. They’re a reminder of what were initially going to be my “last hoorah” frames. And I have never been more ecstatic to be wrong about something.

This year was a little crazy. I had the virus that we are all tired of hearing about, reactivated mono, and then some weird minor neuro mishaps. And because the universe thought I needed to stay humble, I had damage to my esophagus from the mono.

When I tell you how grateful I am EVERY SINGLE DAY that I wake up able to see, breathe and move…I mean it.

Life is precious. Take care of yourself. Love yourself. ALWAYS advocate for your health. And don’t you dare miss those annual visits, especially for things like your eyes. You never know — it just might save your life.