Effiemae's Journey:

On July 27 I had to have my left eye enucleated. The surgery itself was not bad, but the psychological effects have been awful. However, once I get my prosthesis in, I am sure it will help dramatically.

I went to the opthamologist last September (2011) to see about have cataracts. When he examined my eyes, he told me that I had cataracts if equal size in each eye, but he could not why I was losing my vision in my left eye and why it was bulging (duh). I was also having bright flashing lights, and I specifically asked him if I could have a detached retina. His response was no, and that he didn't see "anything seriously wrong." He wanted to schedule me for surgery to see "what was going on," but thank goodness something told me not to do that. Several months later my vision was all but gone, the flashing lights were getting worse, so I went to the ER at a local hospital where a resident told me I definitely had a detached retina and that I should see a specialist the next week. When I went for that appointment, it took the doctor about five minutes to determine that I had a tumor, which could not be treated in my state. And it was only after I did considerable research that I found out this type of cancer is incurable and will probably cost my life. Bummer.

It is really hard to lose an eye, not to mention vision. I have had several friends tell me they would rather lose a boob than eye. I kind of agree with them. I still don't have my "new" eye yet, and I am sure I will feel better then, Some people don't mind walking around without a missing eye being covered by a patch, etc., but I'm afraid I'm not that brave so I just wear a great big band aid over it. I get the new one on October 4 and after I do I'll post a picture so everyone can admire me.