Symptom Update...

I figured I'd do a symptom update and what I'm doing to combat them...

*Trouble reading road signs/fast food menus/printed material/Bible-Try to take someone with me if I need to see street names and eat at home. haha Got new, stronger reading glasses for close-up, reading and computer work. These work sometimes, depending on what my eyes are doing.

*Eye pain, with bright/fluorescent light-I wear my dark, polarized sunglasses with lining that keeps light from getting in. These are especially fun during hot flashes when they totally fog over. Unfortunately, I can't wear them when I'm in the field so this makes taking pictures very difficult.


*Burning/watering eyes-Most of the time, especially with florescent light or bright sunlight or snowy conditions. Worse when allergies are acting up.-Wear my sunglasses. Use eye drops.

*Imaginary moving objects/shadows-While driving-Nothing helps with that.

*Imaginary moving objects/shadows-In the house-Nothing helps with that.

*Watery eyes in AM-Taking MSM eye drops to help with drying them up, some.

*Hazy vision-MSM eye drops help some with this.

* blurry vision-Glasses for reading. Can't use them when I take pictures, though.

*Swollen corneas-Again, taking MSM eye drops to help with drying them up and swelling go down.

*Halos-around street lights and light bulbs-Nothing helps with that.

*Glare-night driving, computer screen, back lit objects & off metal objects-especially sun glaring off cars-I try not to drive at night, especially if it's raining.

*Dry Eyes-Dry, gritty and burning. Wetting drops help some with that.

*Feeling of foreign matter in my eye and occasional feelings of sharp pain (like a prick) that quickly subsides.-Nothing helps with that.

The "eyes" have it...again!

I've put off writing this post for a while...

As I write this, my Fuch's symptoms have returned after about a month of clear eyesight. In my humanness, I can only ask "why?" and pray that they may go away again. I know God doesn't mind me asking, as long as I continue to trust in Him and know that everything He allows, He allows for His perfect and greater purpose in my life and for His glory.

Although I'm saddened and frustrated to have this "thorn" back in my flesh, I am truly thankful for the time I had with clear vision. There is a song that keeps going through my mind regarding this situation, it's a praise song that we sing at church. They lyrics say, "You give and take away, you give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the Lord."

So, what do I mean by Lord? Usually, we refer to God as Lord, God our Father, etc...when we pray. There are many names in the Bible, for God. God refers to Himself with many other titles. The names reflect His character, purposes, and His attributes. God reveals His power and glory to His people through His names.

One of my favorite names for God is Jehovah-Rophe or Jehovah-Rapha,"the Lord God heals." (Psalm 147:3) It means to restore something to its original or normal state. God wants to heal us. However, it's not always a physical healing we need the most. Because of sin, we all need spiritual healing and sometimes we need emotional healing. Our 'land' may even need to be healed.

Another one of my favorite names for God is "El Roi." El Roi is "the God of seeing." He sees everything. This name may be used to ask God to reveal something to us by opening our spiritual eyes. God sees it all. The God who sees, or El Roi means that God sees the suffering and afflictions of His people. He will help us if we are humble and call upon Him. (Hebrews 2:18)

These are two of the names of God that I have chosen to call upon in my life, for I have needed spiritual healing. I've had many physical afflictions and even some emotional things from which I've needed healing. The Lord is faithful and has been with me through thick and thin. Do I always "feel" His presence? No, but I know He is there. Each time I pray and read His word, I have experienced God. If God chooses to permanently heal my eyes, I will give Him glory; and if He chooses not to...I will give Him glory.

Either way, I continue to choose to glorify God, experience Him and His work in my life and I will wait in expectation to see what He will do next, in and through me.

Stay tuned...