NaPoWriMo #14

keratoconus II

A little ray of sunshine before my keratoconus/scleral contacts follow-up|Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

follow-up on cornea scarring
and hazing, and good news
to that; no new scarring.
no new hazing.

however …

my corneas have gotten
steeper in each eye, even after
wearing the recommended
scleral contacts since last
November.

my vision is running away
from me, and I am chasing
after it trying to pull it
back to me.
trying to love it again;
harder & heavier.

unfortunately …

it is doing what it wants
to do and my ophthalmologist
wants to pursue a procedure
called “Collagen Cross-linking
and I do not have any more
passion to give this
man of expertise regarding
my care.

I nod and listen, and I
understand everything he says,
yet I tell him, “I would much
rather continue to wear
my scleral contacts until
November of this year. That
would be one full year.
Let’s reassess at that time.”

Hesitant, he leans toward my
line of thinking, and we schedule
another appointment.

I toggle between him and
my optometrist; they work
on my eye care in-tandem.
I will see her in May.
I hope she’ll have better news
for me, and even if she doesn’t,
I have given this to God.

I will not stress over it.
I will not lend it my heart.
I will not spiral down into
unshakeable pity.

keratoconus, you will
not, and I put emphasis
on “NOT” steal my joy.
You can’t have it.


keratoconus I


**The visit on Thursday, April 13, 2023, with the ophthalmologist did not provide the details I thought it would. The corneas are getting steeper which means that eventually, my vision could keep getting even more blurry.

The ophthalmologist recommended a procedure called (Corneal) Collagen Cross-linking which would be performed out at Duke University in Durham, and I pretty much pumped the brakes on that idea and informed him that I would much rather continue to wear my scleral contacts until at least the middle of this November which would be a full year.

We are going to reassess on November 21st of this year and I will meet with his colleague at that time, but I also have an appointment with my optometrist in May, so I am going to get her opinion on this, too. So that’s where we are now. I was not released from his care due to these recent changes.

This is for God to handle. My gut started speaking to me as soon as my ophthalmologist began explaining everything about the next steps. Those are NOT my next steps. We’ll see what May reveals & then what November of this year further reveals before I begin letting surgeons/specialists/doctors surgically enhance (or botch up) my vision.

27 thoughts on “NaPoWriMo #14

  • I wish this was a more positive update but I think your instincts are speaking too clearly to ignore. Time is something you have, and you’ll make the best use of it! Fingers crossed for you, trE! πŸ’œ

    Liked by 1 person

  • I agree with you Tre. Let the contacts do what they’re supposed to do for the year and get feedback from your other doctors before any next steps are taken. When your gut starts talking you better listen! That’s God making His Presence known. ❀️❀️🌟

    Liked by 2 people

    • EXACTLY! I fervently believe that about my gut. I am never steered wrong when it starts speaking.

      πŸ™πŸΎπŸ’™ I’ll continue to update on this blog. I actually am looking forward to my optometrist visit in May. I especially want to hear her thoughts on this.

      Thanks for reading, Randy!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Jennifer! I’m not worried. I’m not concerned. I’m just going to remain faithful and prayerful and go from there. πŸ™πŸΎπŸ’™

      Liked by 1 person

  • WOW trE, I have never heard of keratoconus before and I’ve been wearing glasses and contacts for decades now. I am so sadden to hear about your condition, but through all of this, it is refreshing to hear you’re of fighting willpower πŸ₯Š and optimistic attitude as you approach further care for your eyes. πŸ‘“ If surgery is the only other option to correct this, then pray for God’s guidance through the decision-making process. But you are so very right, you won’t let this take away your joy. The older I get the more unexpected adjustments I have to make. Sistah, you will get through this. πŸ™πŸΌ You never think about the “what if’s” regarding our bodies, but God’s got you and you got Him. Stay encouraged my friend. πŸ€—πŸ’–πŸ˜Š

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you, Kym. I have my own research I want to do about all of this and I want to hear from my optometrist first as well. It just floored me how easy it was for my ophthalmologist to just throw invasive procedures out there and surgery after I’ve not even worn the “recommended” scleral contacts for at least 1 year.

      I’m not the type to just jump into something that’s life-altering. Lol. Again, thank you!

      Liked by 2 people

      • I love your spunk and proactiveness trE! I concur! It seems like there are far too many doctors who seem to prematurely jump to invasive procedures for correcting anything these days. When I go with my husband to the doctor, it seems like they coolly throw in a little of that fear factor to seduce you into procedures that may not even be necessary… Can you say Money Grab boys and girls? πŸ’²πŸ’°πŸ’² I applaud your mindset and efforts. You ain’t no fool! Not today, and tomorrow ain’t lookin’ too good either. πŸ€œπŸΌπŸ€›πŸΌ

        Liked by 2 people

  • I never heard of that condition, you learn something new every day! I wish I had some advice-like eat more carrots- that wood work, but I think you made the best decision you could. I’ll pray too! πŸ™βœοΈ

    Liked by 2 people

    • Yeah, none of that will work if you did suggest it. Lol. I’ve been blogging about my eyesight for about 3 years now. It’s been a rollercoaster, and I’m a bit tired from it all, but I do KNOW THEY’RE NOT touching my eyes, though. Lol.

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