April 10, 2015 - FACE DOWN

This week has not been at all what I had planned. Last week at this time, I had never heard the term "macular hole." I've learned a lot since Monday!

The surgeon says that it's unusual to have an eye problem progress this quickly, and it looks like I will need surgery - the sooner, the better. I have an appointment with a specialist on Monday morning (the partner of the guy I saw today). He thinks they'll do the surgery within a week. Not my plan. 

The surgeon confirmed that after surgery, I will need to be face down for 1-2 weeks to allow the gas bubble in my eye to stay at the macular hole; that will help it to close. I had never heard of this until this week. Hard to comprehend. Learning a lot. And not my plan. 

I called the plastic surgeon's office to move my other surgery back four weeks. The one that was going to happen in 9 days, the one that I looked at as the final chapter. Not my plan. 

After the doctor's appointment, Tony and I went on a lunch date to Windy City Grille, and that was perfect! 

We went back to work, and I was doing fine with all this unplanned stuff - right up until the moment I fell off the sidewalk going out to the mailbox. My eyes really aren't great, and I just missed a step! As I sat on the ground assessing my injuries (my wig stayed on and the only thing really hurt was my pride), I started to cry. Just not feeling the joy at that point!!

An hour, a diet coke and a few twizzlers later, I am doing better. We WILL find joy in this new journey and adapt to the new plan. God is not surprised, and He will be glorified. This morning as we were driving to the doctor, I felt like God was saying, "you can learn a lot when you're face down." I am going to look at the recovery period as an opportunity to relax, rest in Him, and listen to what He has to say. And I will have a break in wig wearing! That's a win!! 

Whatever we are facing - God is not surprised and He can redeem the time to teach us things that we wouldn't learn any other way. I believe that with my whole heart. He CAN be trusted, even in the middle of frustrating times. 

I do choose JOY. smile emoticon

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help y