JANUARY 2, 2023
Well, it’s a new year and I’m thinking about all that has transpired in 2022. My friend Gwen has been battling a re-occurrence of cancer. I feel like I’ve been battling it with her. We’ve known each other since third grade. She has always been in my life one way or another. I have her on the prayer list at my church and will continue to pray for her and her family.
I’ve lived to see another year and in relatively good health. There is one challenge. I’ve been diagnosed with Glaucoma. I don’t like to say the word because that would mean claiming it, and I don’t want to do that. I started reading up on it and discovered that computers, cell phones, TVs, all contribute to exposure to harmful rays and over time it can’t be good for the eyesight. Your diet also plays a role in good vision. The doctor presented me with two choices: laser surgery or eye drops. Laser didn’t do me much good. I’m very disappointed in that outcome. Taking the drops means a lifetime undertaking. I refuse to do it for now. Apparently once you start, there is no stopping. The thought is so distasteful to me.
So, I’m looking at alternatives during these next 30 days and will see if there is some improvement in the eye pressure. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and will be praying a lot. I do belong to a Claver Organization prayer group that meets virtually every Tuesday to say the rosary.
I’m a firm believer in the power of prayer. I have witnessed its’ power in my own life!
Oh, I forgot to mention my obsession with Prince Harry and have pre-ordered his book “Spare” dropping on January 10, 2023.
I can’t help myself!
Shirley Harris-Slaughter 
Hello Shirley: Thank you for sharing your journey. So, sorry to hear what has happened to your friend and your sight. The devil is a lie! This too shall pass. Creator has taken over the wheel. As it’s been proven, there is power in prayer. I will add you and Gwen to my prayer list.
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I will pray for your friend, Gwen. My mother is battling stage 3 Ovarian cancer and has started a second round, six months of chemotherapy. It is a cruel disease. I also inherited the mutated cancer gene and had to have major surgery this year. My journey is not over. I still have several more procedures coming up in February looking for and in prevention of getting cancer. I understand what an important role you are playing for your friend. I can relate to you so much. Best wishes with your glaucoma. One of my fur babies, Masie has a genetic condition in which the lenses detach. She had to have one eye removed because we didn’t realize the condition before it was too late. The lens had completely detached and was stabbing her. It caused her such pain. The other lens started to detach. I have to give her eye drops every day for the rest of her life to keep her pupil constricted and prevent the lens from moving around.
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Marie, I’m so sorry for your mom and your pet. It’s heartbreaking to have the two going through so much. And to find that it is an inherited gene, well that’s a bit much. I have two sisters who have glaucoma. But we can work on the curse stopping with us. I’m praying for you. There’s a lot on your plate. As for my dear friend, she has passed on and will not have to suffer any longer.
Thank you, Marie, for your thoughtful and kind words.
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Hi Shirley, Donna Atwood here. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Gwen. By the way, She is very lucky to have such a devoted friend in you! I don’t know much about Glaucoma, but I do believe in the power of prayer. Sometimes prayer combined withy the best that medical science has to offer is the way to go, especially if the doctor is one of the tops in his/field. Best wishes to you and yours for 2023!
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Hi Donna. It has been a long time since we spoke. How are you doing? Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.
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Hi Shirley, it’s Donna again. I’m going to have to change my last name on WordPress lol! I’m doing very well, thanks for asking. The last few years have been truly transformational for me. I’m now much happier. I’m also looking forward to reading more of your posts! xoxo
-Donna Atwood Manobianco
D.M. Atwood, Founder, Alien Experiencers Network
http://www.dmatwood.com
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I’ve always liked Prince Harry!
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Shirley, I have to agree with you, Prince Harry is a cutie and very down to earth. I don’t blame him for speaking out, especially if the royalty is that oppressive. I binge watched the crown over the summer with my 81 year old mother. We loved it. Does seem like a hard life and royalty seems like a hard thing to live up to. I pray you do find a solution for your eyes. Are there some vitamins you could take that might help? I’ve started taking several new vitamins in the past month to help me with pain issues and my energy, just to try. Take care!
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Oh Pam, I’ve loved Harry since seeing a documentary of him at 18, turning into his mother. Glad to find a kindred spirit. I binge on everything royal as long as he’s in it.
To learn that they housed him in a hovel and he wore shoes with holes in them was shocking. I’m glad he took his family and got out.
As for my eyes, I’m trying something for 90 days and searching around for new treatments.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Shirley, I know you will beat the glaucoma problem. Just keep fighting and praying. There are always other possibilities. My ex has a pressure problem in her eyes. The doctor poked holes in her eyes to relieve the pressure. She seems to be fine now. But I’m no doctor.
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Hi, Shirley! Adding my prayers to yours for your friend’s recovery and your eyesight! I take regular eyedrops every day just to give my eyes some relief from watching the screen all day. Hope you find a really good glaucoma specialist. Whatever they do to your eyes will be painless. They have great numbing drops. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to tomorrow’s post. Blessings.
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Patty all suggestions help me to learn more about eyesight.
Thank you so much.
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Cancer sucks. 😥 And I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Shirley. I’m happy to hear you are looking into every avenue possible to help you heal. Sending healing energy to both you and Gwen. 🙂
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I’m sorry to read about your friend, Gwen. She’s lucky to have a good friend like you. I hope everything turns out well with your Glaucoma. My mother was blind, and so now is my dog with cataracts. I would have done anything to bring my mother’s sight back. Sight is a precious gift. Please don’t give up. One day, you and my dog will have perfect vision again. I think I’ll write about my mother for tomorrow’s blog. She deserves an article.
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Susanne what happened with your mother’s sight? I’m curious.
So sorry about your dog. You are so right. Our sight is so precious.
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Hi, Shirley! Gwen, (and you) are both in my prayers. What a good friend you are, feeling her pain and all.
I am sorry about your eyesight issues. I, too, am hoping that what I am experiencing is because I need new glasses, which I need to run out to have my prescription filled as I type. I am in front of a computer almost 24/7 and hopefully, my issues will correct with the new glasses.
Thanks for sharing you with us in this post and I am looking forward to tomorrow’s “share” from you. How about taking us on a journey of a day, from the time you wake up, until the time you quit for the day? I’m sure you and “L” have some hilarity going on between you that would keep us rolling!
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So true Nonnie. Lank and I do have some ups and some downs too. I will see what I can serve up tomorrow. Lol!
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Shirley, so sorry to hear about your friend Gwen – may she enjoy complete health soon. My best friend, Lynn, besties since 9th grade, had cancer too, and I know how that feels like you are going through it too, as a friend. Sorry about your eye issues, hope the pressure comes under control soon. I have pressure issues, am using daily drops, and it’s pretty easy and effective, but maybe other solutions will work for you. Thanks for this glimpse of your life!
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Yes Maurabeth, Gwen is a constant in my life. In fact I’m going to be updating info about her in my next blog.
Thanks for your meaningful thoughts.
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Shirley, I’m sorry to read about your eye problems. I had an infection that I battled for a couple of years. I used all kinds of drops until they got it right. I also had cataracts removed and my sight improved. I, too, a wary of too much time on the computer and in front of tv.I will be adding you and Gwen to my daily prayers.
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Linda, I was reluctant to participate in this blog challenge because of continued exposure, but couldn’t help myself. I wear my sunglasses as much as possible and heading out tomorrow to get a new prescription filled for new glasses. Protection I ordered in the past was distorting my vision. Will see what they can do for me tomorrow.
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Hello Shirley,
You have a lot on your plate right now. I’m so sorry about your best friend and will lift her up in prayer. As for you, I’m praying too that your eyes recover. I too am a strong believer in what God can do. Nothing is impossible for God.
Shalom aleichem p
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Thanks Pat for reaffirming what I believe in. It’s comforting as my doctor is not for alternatives at all. I survived from alternative care and wouldn’t be in a good place today without it.
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Hi Shirley–I think there are many new advances in treating glaucoma these days. I hope you find a great ophthalmologist who can guide you this journey. We will also all be with you. You know that!
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My doc is referring me to a glaucoma specialist. My understanding is that they stab the eyes and do all sorts of things. I don’t want to go there but will follow it through. Two of my sisters have it so it’s in the family.
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Wanda I don’t know the difference between ophthalmologists and optometrists. Is glaucoma specialists opthalmologists? How confusing? Lol.
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