WW: Determination

Photobucket Photobucket

For those of you who may be new here, I had PRK Laser EYE Surgery 2 weeks ago. It is definitely not Lasik and my recovery is testing my patience like nothing else. My doctor tells me it could be 6 weeks before my vision is clear. If you would like to learn more about it, I have been sharing updates via my facebook page.

From the moment your eyes crack in the wee morning hours until the time your head hits the pillow at night and all the hours in between... Your eyes are busy at work reading and processing information all around you- Can you imagine a world without sight or even one with a hazy layer?

I know that this is only a temporary disturbance for me and that in my very near future I will be blessed with perfect vision without the use of any lenses. But I have had some moments of doubt in there and plenty of time to reflect...

This experience has given me a renewed appreciation for the sight that I do have. Being such a visual person I can not begin to imagine a life without the ability to see. My heart aches for those that live without the use of their eyes. They are extraordinary and I marvel at their abilities.

We all endure trials of one degree or another from time to time in our lives... but I do believe we have something within us that is greater than any obstacle placed in our path... At least that's what I'm clinging to at the present as I delve into the holiday season with a to do list a mile long and some pretty wonky vision.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate the continued support and friendship. If we haven't already, let's connect:


Today I am banning together with Josh Johnson and the IG community to protest the spam and disturbing happenings on Instagram since the billion dollar exchange of hands. If you are on instagram and have experienced even some of this, please join me. Write a letter to Mark Zuckerberg and send it to him here. I am but one voice but together we can make a difference! Let's get our Instagram back! You can read my letter here.

Also, I have a freebie and giveaway planned later in the week so stop back or subscribe so you don't miss out!

This is Wordless Wednesday. Or in my case, Not so Wordless. You can grab my button in the sidebar but it is not required to participate. Just grab any photo and come link up! And if you'd like to connect with other WW participants, click HERE or one of the thumbnails below. It's a fun way to meet some new folks!

The Paper MamaPhotobucketPhotobucketseven clown circusPhotobucketBetter in BulkPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

62 comments

  1. I feel very connected to you. love reading and hearing from you. hope your eyes keep improving.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My husband had that surgery years ago and his did not go as smoothly as most. Over time and with attention it got better and he is now glad he did it, but at the time he wondered if he'd done the wrong thing. Blessings to you and prayers for a swift recovery! Teresa from NanaHood.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alicia, I had eye surgery back in 2004. Not the same surgery at all, mine was to correct double vision & I still needed to wear glasses afterwards, but I know those first few weeks of recovery when you're unable to see properly can be scary. Wishing you well in your continued recovery! xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post. I'm dealing with a few of these issues as well..
    Here is my webpage :: how to get rid of man breasts

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sending many healing thoughts your way! How scary this must be for you.

    Thanks for getting active about the spam on Instagram - I have noticed it and not found a button to mark some people as spammers. Just by coincidence my WW post is compiled of a week of Instagram photos :) It's all I use now for my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful shots with a very inspirational quotation. I hope your eyes will fully recover real soon.  Thanks for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Recover well! Hopefully it will all be well worth it!

    ReplyDelete


  8. When I was still in high school I got hit in the head twice
    during a softball practice. With two major concussions I could barely see beyond
    the length of my arm (thank goodness it was only temporary) and quickly became accustomed
    to guessing who people were by their color schemes and way the blurs
    moved.  With that in mind... it might be
    a neat game to play with yourself while your eyesight adjusts and gets better
    to see what mannerisms and movements you can pick up on regarding friends and
    family. It’s amazing the things you can pick up on just by the way people
    move.  Good luck and happy thoughts!


    ReplyDelete
  9. Your strength through this is inspiring!  You're always so positive, and I'm not sure I would be in your situation.  Hope your recovery is speedy!

    ReplyDelete
  10. My heart goes out to you Alicia. My worst fear is losing my sight--I'm sure you can relate. I pray you recover quickly and completely.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh bless you Alicia! Your strength and grace are so inspiring. I hope you heal quickly and enjoy perfect vision soon. I have thought about surgery and how nice to not wear lenses, but it does take courage to make that leap!  Wishing you all the best and many blessings this season. 

    Gorgeous images of you too!

    ReplyDelete
  12. BEAUTIFUL!!!
    and prayers that your vision heals up asap! That must be so hard!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such beautiful photos, and the quote fits perfectly :)

    ReplyDelete
  14.  Lovely photos and quote! Here's hoping you recover quickly and your eyes are back in top form very soon!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the quote, goes rather well with the image! Here's to a speedy recovery. :D

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful! I do hope your eyes recover quickly!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hoping that your healing speeds up! But these photos? They're beautiful! Is that snow I see on the ground?!? 

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorgeous pics - are you the model, or the photographer?! Or with modern technology these days, I suppose you could easily be both!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Alicia, you are truly a beautiful person, inside and out. Gorgeous photos! I can't imagine being without sight either. Its such an important sense. I pray your healing speeds up and your sight returns to 100% soon! 

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful shots. 

    I'd be so frustrated to not have my eye sight.  I've grown far sigthed the last few years and that's been frustrating enough.  Hope your eyes continue to adjust quickly. 

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks so much! I decided not to get monovision, so I will probably need glasses for close up one of these days. Oh, the joys of aging... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks so much Tish! It's certainly been an enlightening experience to say the least. Looking forward to perfect vision soon...

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yes, gotta love the technology these days. I do most of my own selfies with my clicker. However, these were actually taken by hubs. 

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ha! No snow, my friend! It's been in the 60s and 70s. Probably just weeds. I know my eyes are coming, just not as rapid a pace as I'd like. :/

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks so much Emilee! Appreciate it! 

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks David! I wasn't sure it went with the image, but it certainly goes well with my feelings right now. 

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks so much Theresa! 

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks Paula! I fell in love with the quote the moment I saw it. 

    ReplyDelete
  29. Not the easiest thing I've ever done, but I know there is an end soon...  Thanks for the kind words! 

    ReplyDelete
  30. Everyone I talk to that has had it always tells me it's worth it, so I just have to get through this part to get to the good stuff. Certainly will be nice to not deal with contacts, infections, or glasses! Appreciate your thoughtful words. 

    ReplyDelete
  31. I think it is a valid fear... having my vision modified these last couple weeks has certainly given me a better appreciation for it... Thanks so much for stopping by! 

    ReplyDelete
  32. I certainly have my moments of doubt in there, but I don't have much choice in this. It's out of my control at this point. Looking forward to the end results. 

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yes, it's amazing how much your other senses come into play when one is injured. Sounds like a scary experience. Did your sight ever improve? 

    ReplyDelete
  34. That's my hope as well, Lolli! Thanks so much for stopping by! 

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hoping it's ASAP too, Alissa. Thanks! 

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks Charlotte. Appreciate it! 

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks so much for the sweet words! Happy WW!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I can't tell you how much I hate the spam on instagram. Some of it is annoying and some just down right disgusting. I'm hoping something changes soon... 

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thanks so much Rebecca! It has been scary and I'm looking forward to the end. I'm sorry to hear that you still have to wear glasses. Because I opted to not get monovision, my doctor has informed me I'll probably still need readers in the next couple years when my eyes change again. Isn't aging fun? 

    ReplyDelete
  40. You are so gorgeous. I hope that your sight is perfect soon. I am sure you are very frustrated. 

    ReplyDelete
  41. You are too kind, Sarah! Patience has never been my greatest virtue so I'm hoping I'm nearing the end... 

    ReplyDelete
  42. It's interesting how everyone heals at different rates. I'm sorry to hear your husband's surgery didn't go as expected, but I'm so glad to hear that it eventually paid off. Thanks for the kind words! 

    ReplyDelete
  43. Your vision problems would be frustrating for anyone, but doubling so for you, you are such a gifted photographer.  Love the quote on your photo, it is so true.  Wishing you a healthy and speedy recovery!

    ReplyDelete
  44. SouthernGalThoughtsWednesday, 05 December, 2012

    I pray your vision clears up soon. give it time. I know that must be so frustrating when your vision is what you rely on for the fabulous photography you provide.  

    ReplyDelete
  45. My husband had a detached retina years ago. I know how slow recovery can be. Best of luck for a speedy recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Am praying for your speedy recovery in your vision.  Thanks for sharing with us.  Be patient.  Hugs.  

    ReplyDelete
  47. Wishing you a speedy recovery!  ((HUGZ!))

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm so sorry to hear you are still struggling with this.  Praying it gets better- I can only imagine how frustrating & scary that must be. Hugs!!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. HiYa!!!

    Being diabetic for 41 yrs and knowing that we have trouble with our eyes because of our blood sugars going up and down makes me appreciate having little damage to my sight. You are being very patient with your recovery time, but, I know waiting could be stressful. You are a strong and beautiful woman and I can't wait to hear about the day that will come when you're going to let us know how great your vision is.

    Pam
    xox

    ReplyDelete
  50. These photos are beautiful! 

    ReplyDelete
  51.  I love the story...beautiful photography.

    My WW is kitchen remodeling and thick snow. Happy WW!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I'm sorry it's taking so long for your eyes to heal. I can imagine that it's scary at times not knowing the future, but I'm glad you're positive about having perfect eyesight. I'll pray again for you. Also, I volunteer every Wed. at the Blind Inst. just down the road from our house. I read for them in a sound room. At the moment, I'm busy with an anthology of South African and African poetry. It's not always easy to know how to pronounce some of the stranger names, but my visually impaired sound tech helps advise me as best as he can. Today, while reading an Afrikaans name, my sound guy (being Eng.) asked an Afrikaans lady to check if I did it right and I was spot on with my pronunciation. Yay! Okay, so I'm rambling a bit, but I don't have too many girlfriends here. Most people are polite, but very private and stick to their own kind. I'm the foreigner.

    Tina @ Amanda's Books and More

    ReplyDelete
  53. Believe me, it's worth it.  To not have to put glasses on or contacts in or smash into the walls when you have to pee in the middle of the night is truly a blessing. 

    ReplyDelete
  54. my friend the same procedure as you did and she was in a pain for awhile but she is so happy she did it. Stay positive. 

    ReplyDelete
  55. Art of RetroCollageThursday, 06 December, 2012

    Sorry to hear that your vision is taking so long to clear up. Sending all best thoughts & prayers for your speedy recovery & complete healing. Your site is beautiful as always!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Eye surgery.Does.Not.Sound.Fun. I hope your eyes heel quickly and you vision clears up soon. I wear glasses, but am ever so thankful my vision isn't bad enough that I can't see without correction. It just aggravates me to go without my glasses for any length of time. Best of luck to you and thanks for linking up on Cathy Kennedy's Blog!

    ReplyDelete
  57. hope it clears up fast... vision issues has always been a huge fear of mine.

    ReplyDelete