Today Al had an appointment with an eye doctor. Less than a month ago, I had taken him for an eye exam, and he had an increase added to his bifocals. About two weeks ago, he started complaining of blurred and double vision. We made a new appointment with a doctor for a second opinion.
I picked up Al and took him to his appointment. He had difficulty getting out of the car. I am noticing small changes in his movements, and had been told that a large vein was now a culprit for him, as the muscle around it is being squeezed from the Parkinson’s Disease.
After the doctor examined him very carefully, he gave us the news. The P.D. is working very hard on Al’s muscles behind the eyes. The muscles are becoming weak and slower. Al can not move his eyes as fast as the brain is telling them to move, therefore, leading in to a stage of not being able to focus. The other thing the doctor said is that Al’s cataracts are now significantly showing. The doctor became silent, and then excused himself from the room for a few minutes.
When he returned, he said he had consulted with our own eye doctor, and the two said that Al could not have them removed. Al could not lie still enough for this delicate but easy situation, nor could he be put to sleep to have this done. It seems that Al has nothing to work with to fight this, and eventually he will not be able to see anything. I pray desperately for God to take him home before this happens.
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I am sorry to hear this latest news hun xxx
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thank you Paula. It just doesn’t seem to have and ending to this story
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I’m so very sorry to hear this sad news, Terry. I continue to hold you and Al in Love and Light. xoxoM
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thank you Margarita. I want this all to stop
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Yes.
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Im sorry Terry, this must be so devastating to you. I think this is where us humans start questioning life, and often God. Life is not easy or fair…
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I am sorry to say the truth, but I am questioning God. Why would he let someone like Al suffer. The big thing Al is mentally challenged but alert enough to know things are not right
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It doesn’t feel right, does it? But God is the Big Planner, and we don’t know the why’s and the wherefore’s, which makes it difficult for us.
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So sorry Terry, praying for you and Al both.
Dear God, we don’t know what Your plans are, but we know that You love Al and Terry and whatever they are, heaven is waiting and there will be no more sorrow or pain. Give them the strength they both need right now Lord, in You wonderful Son Jesus name, please Dear Lord. Ease this burden where possible and give the your hand to hold where it is not possible to ease it. Let them understand that You are still there Lord, that You are still in control and that whatever You are planning it will be for their benefit. You have promised never to give us more that we can bear Dear Lord and we know that You never fail, that You always keep Your promises. We are resting on Your word Dear Lord, leaning on You for the strength that we need. We give You praise always Lord, we give You love and thank You Dear Lord, in Jesus name. Amen
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my tears have picked up again at this devastating news. All i can picture is Al needing his walker in order to walk, and trying to hold a white blind cane. of course this will not happen this way, but to see the life taken out of him by not seeing his coca cola or watch his favorite shows on television, are ripping me apart
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Terry, I am so sorry to hear this. One suggestion I was given as mom started losing her visionto macular degeneration. That is to contact lighthouse for the Blind. They can give help and suggestions, as to aids that would help Al in his daily routine. They said mom would have to be classified as legally blind to qualify, and she did not qualify at that time. You might ask your eye doctors or Lighthouse if they could help Al cope as he loses his vision. I wish I could offer a cure but this is the only insight I have.
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I will look into the Lighthouse. I am sort of numb today and reaching out to find something to smile about. thank u for your comment, so much, my friend
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You’re welcome, Terry. Give yourself time to come to terms with the news. Remember you can do only so much, so don’t come down too hard on yourself for anything you aren’t able to do.
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This is definitely sad news for you – and for Al. Sometimes we wonder how they stay alive, but I think the will to live is incredibly strong. It’s an inner strength and impossible to understand. Who knows why. But we continue to offer love and try to keep them as comfortable as we can. I’m so sorry, terry1954.
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Al may have more strength than I have. His blessing coming from being mentally challenged. Today, I feel just like sleeping my pain a way. I feel like I can not take many more disappointments. thank you for being here my friend for me
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My prayers continue for you both. Lord bless you
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thank u Rob so much
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Will continue to pray for both of you.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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thank u
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I’m so sorry about this terry, thinking of you.
*hugs*
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thank you Hope!
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Sorry to hear such terrible news, as if things weren’t bad enough
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that is the way I feel also, things were already bad
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I’m feel for you both Terry. xo Disregard my queston on todays post. xo
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thank u
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So sorry for this latest news Terry. There is not much to say except that may God give you and Al the strength and grace during the days and weeks ahead…Diane
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thank you Diane. the sadness is something I am not used to feeling so much. I don’t know what to do to get past this
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Love you, Terry, and am thinking of you and Al and praying for His mercy, love and grace each day as the Parkinson’s progresses.
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love you also my dear friend. i have to snap out of this! between missing my dad and Al’s constant changes, I feel like I am being sucked into a hurricane’s eye
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Oh, dear. That is sad news. I hope that those cataracts advance very very slowly, and Al has his vision for a long time.
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oh me too, me too, i pray this constantly
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So sorry Terry and I understand so well. Just got a phonecall from nursing lodge to say Anthony has had a terrible fall and is going to be ambulanced to hospital – I will go in as soon as Ming gets home from milking. Ants has cut his head open and seems a bit concussed but nothing is broken apparently so I am not panicking.
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i hope he is alright, please let me know
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My heart goes out to you, to Al. Love, Granny Gee
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thank you Granny. It feels good to have you near me during this sad time. I just don’t know what is wrong with me anymore. I cry too easily and I am not usually like this
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Terry, I am so sorry to hear this news. I add my “Amen.” to the prayers already prayed here. May the Lord strengthen you in spirit, soul and body and give you all you need to cope with this current situation. I pray that even during this difficult time you will sense the deep joy of the Lord that can be ours in the darkest times and the greatest trials. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
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Thank you Diane. I am struggling and wonder if I am becoming too sad and may have to visit my doctor
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no words, just hugs ((from my heart to yours))
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thank you Sandy. I don’t know what is wrong with me. I hate the sadness. Thinking of going to see the doctor
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Dear Terry, I am so sad for you and Al. Lie just is not fair!
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no i feel life is not fair for him either. what is the point in keeping a mentally challenged person suffering?
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Sorry “Life is not fair”
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it sure isn’t Tersia. I guess we can not control everything can we?
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I think we have a tendacy to look too far ahead…Terry…Al will probably see for a long time…Just needs to slow down on the things that hurt his situation…What an awful disease…
You have taught me so much about it…The Holidays are notorious for bringing up memories of people who are not with us anymore…It’s kind of bittersweet…We love thinking about them…
but, so much to see that realness…Take care and if at all possible…get with someone and have a fun day out…a movie…a lunch…some place different!…love, mkg
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I went and picked Al up today for lunch, that was nice
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Thinking about you Terry..
I’m sure this has got to be hard to deal with 😦
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I m better today. I went and picked up Al and took him to lunch, and took him a few items to hope to see a smile, and I did. this helped
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Very sad, Terry…
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yes, it does make me sad
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I wish you a Happy New Year’s Eve. I wonder if you will be dancing on air tonight……..
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Terry so sorry to hear this. My prayers are with you and Al.
ivonne
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Hey my friend, I have not heard from you lately. Are you alright?
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I’m so sad to hear this news, Terry.
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thank you Tilly, Bring on the laughs!!!!! for me, please???
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Consider it done!
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My heart and prayers go out to the both of you.
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thank you Valarie!!!! nice to meet you!!!
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The pleasure is mine. 🙂
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Hi Valerie! I have nominated you for the Liebster Award
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Thank you, I had to look it up to see what type of award it is. I’m truly humbled by you act of kindness and love towards me and on my birthday! Also, I’m sorry it took me a minute to respond. Mu computer was being serviced. Thanks and I pray blessings of love and peace for you and your family.
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I have been so busy. I am sorry I took so long to get back with you. I am so thrilled that you are enjoying your award. you truly deserve it!!!!! What a wonderful friend you are becoming to me
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I’m sorry Terry, I didn’t know that there was a process to acknowledging the award. Please forgive me for the oversight. I was and is honored for the nomination as well. I believe time may have passed on this one but heart behind it, is what mattered most. I’m new to understanding how all this works. Thanks again!
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Don’t worry at all my friend. We all had to go through the learning process of accepting awards. To receive any award tells me you are a wonderful writer. This is why I nominated you…………………Big Hugs my friend
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Oh, Terry, I am so sorry!! You and Al did not need this. God Bless you both.
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no we sure don’t. With Al’s simplicity, I often ask him how his sight is, and he just blurts out, it hasn’t changed! darn eyes! I always giggle inside because I would not be reacting like that if it were my own eyes. I pray this process will take a long time before he can no longer see
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