StemCell Therapy

A few years ago, I had an operation to remove a cataract from myleft eye. I was advised to wait for my right eye. The doctor said, Call ifyour eyesight gets worse, and we will schedule the surgery.

Then came COVID.

During that time, I found it more and more difficult to read andto cook. It felt like each passing day I was being surrounded by more and moredarkness.

As a senior with medical issues and anxiety, I was unable toI have become used to being aloneparticipate in holiday services with my family. Since COVID, I have become usedto being alone, and even if everyone wears masks, Im not comfortable takingchances by being around people.

After a long wait, followed by two weeks of even strictersocial-distancing, the day came for the surgery. The night before, I hadstopped eating and could only drink until 10 a.m. The surgery was scheduled fora little after noon.

Wearing a mask, my son Mike drove me tothe hospital for the operation. Once there, we called reception and were toldthat there was a 45-minute wait, maybe longer. We could wait either in the caror in a waiting room. We chose the car. Mike put on some music, and we listenedto Chanukah songs, including my favorite, Chanukah, oh Chanukah, come light themenorah...

After an hour, Mike called again andfound out that our wait could be another hour or so; they didnt know how manypatients were ahead of me. By that time, I didnt feel well since I hadnt hadanything to eat or drink in many hours.

I also needed a restroom, so we went inside, up the elevator,into what I considered a crowded room. I felt danger everywhere. I was so afraid that I wanted to cancel theoperation and go home. I closed my eyes andprayed for the strength to triumph over my fears and overcome my anxiety.

Thats when I heard Mikes cell phone ring; it was my turn forthe operation.

A nurse came out and asked me questions before letting me intothe office alone. I handed Mike my cane. He touched my arma human touch Ihadnt felt in five months.

The nurse must have felt my emotions because she said, Theseare dark, difficult times.

What an understatement, I thought, as I entered alone and wastold in which chair to sit. The nurse followed me so I wouldnt fall.

My surgeon came out and put an X over my right eye. There weretwo other patients waiting. We discussed how long the wait had been both forthe scheduling and the day itself.

Finally, they took me into surgery.

The anesthesiologist put in the IV, while one nurse put in dropsand another took vital signs.

I hadnt been near so many people in months, and again, I feltoverwhelmed, but I silently prayed as I kept answering their questions.Finally, I was wheeled into the operating room.

The chair went down and then came the needle, and before I knewit, the operation was over. They gave me many instructions regarding recovery:the eye drops, not to get my face wet, when to see my doctor.

As soon as I took off the patch over my eye, I looked around andI could see. It was as though my world had gone from darkness to light. Andthats when I realized the connection between the music we had been listeningto in the car, my operation, and the approaching holiday of Chanukah.

On Chanukah, a small band of Jews fought against the huge GreekDespite all odds, they triumphedarmy. Despite all odds, they won. They won because they had faith that Gdwould give them the strength to triumph. Then they found a single flask of pureoil, enough for just one day. But they did their part and lit the menorah.Miraculously, it remained burning for eight days, until they could procuremore.

My cataract operation was like my own little Chanukah triumphmy personalvictory of overcoming my anxiety, and my universe turning from darkness tolight.

A little bit of light brightens up a whole lot of darkness. Weneed to do our part, strengthen our faith, and Gd will help us.

For the past few years, I couldnt see in the dark well enoughto join in the festivities at the public lighting of the menorah in downtownNatick, Mass. Gd willing, this year they will be able to hold the festivities,and I will be able to join. Together, we will all sing, Chanukah, oh Chanukah,come light the menorah... And I will be able to relish the brightness.

Read the rest here:
New Vision: Seeing the Light of Chanukah During COVID - Chabad.org

This entry was posted on November 25, 2020 at 10:52 pm and is filed under Eye Sight & Vision. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |