Hiya,
Welcome back to the next chapter of my journey.

Where did we leave off?

Right—surgery one was done. I had entered the healing phase, with a second surgery on the horizon. Life had settled into a rhythm: eyedrops, rest, no lifting, no exercise—strictly doctor’s orders.

Early on, my doctor laid out the recovery roadmap: face-down positioning, minimal movement, and a generous dose of patience. What I don’t remember—either because it wasn’t said or I mentally skipped it—was the part about cataracts being an unavoidable side effect.

Months passed. Healing progressed. Then came the words I had been longing to hear:
“You’re cleared for light exercise.”

Finally! I could return to my brisk morning walks—those little bursts of joy that made me feel like myself again.

But there was a new hurdle. The cataracts had grown. You could literally see the cloudy film on my pupils. I could feel it, too—especially when I looked straight ahead. Everything felt muted, like peering through misted glass.

One morning, during one of those walks, I was suddenly blinded by the glare of oncoming headlights. Disoriented, I lost my sense of direction. In a panic, I misjudged the pavement—and walked straight into a wall. My operated eye took the full impact.

My heart dropped.
Had I undone all the healing?
Terrified, I rushed to the hospital.

By some miracle, the retina was intact. No new damage. But the fear? That lingered.

And it wasn’t just outdoor walks. Everyday life had become an obstacle course:

• Cutting vegetables? I nicked my fingers more times than I could count.
• Cooking? Burns, spills, broken plates—you name it.
• Stairs? I cling to the wall, shuffle slowly, and feel each step before committing. Dim lighting is now my worst enemy.

Cooking and walking weren’t just hobbies. They were my coping tools. Giving them up would’ve meant giving in—and I wasn’t ready to do that.

Each day demanded a new kind of courage, and each task came with risk. But I kept moving forward, blurry-eyed and determined.

Because while my world might be out of focus, my will to keep going isn’t.

Glossary
• Cataracts – Clouding of the eye’s lens, often caused by retinal surgeries involving silicone oil. Leads to blurry or foggy vision.
• Face-down positioning – A critical recovery position after retinal surgery that helps the retina heal correctly.