Dear Reader:

Yesterday while I was getting checked in and vitals taken…I started humming “I can see clearly now”  by Johnny Nash (his big hit from 1972.) The funny little anesthesiologist immediately recognized it and said that would be a great song for the center. I nodded and told him that all they had to do was change “rain” to clouds” and they had it!

The term “clouds” has become the metaphorical term for cataracts…the idea being that when they are removed it is like clouds being swept away from the sky to let more of the sun and light in.

Since I am typing away…you can tell my right eye is adjusting very quickly to the removal of the cataract (actually it was almost a double cataract…one piggybacking on the other.) And even with some slight blurring with all the eye drops…the amount of extra light I am seeing is amazing. I kept thinking my den (happy room) was always so dark and now I “see” it was actually much lighter than I “saw.”

Every time a nurse gave me another eye drop to numb the eye…I told her to keep coming…I wanted to know it was really numb before the procedure started. The anesthesiologist  told me he would put some “happy juice” in the IV before the surgery started. I told him ...”Don’t be late.” (He assured me they couldn’t start without him)

When he came bouncing in the surgery room…I said, “Just the man I want to see….my cocktail man.” He told me that he had a song for me that he just heard on his Iphone that sent him scurrying my way. “What was it? I asked.

“Come see about me” (The Supremes) he responded with a grin.

All I remember of the surgery was a bright light and then it was over. I return to my opthamologist’s office today for her to check on the progress and hoping every thing looks great. (Like the HGTV show…“Flip or Flop“…if all is well with the first eye, it is time to get the next one done.)

While I was in surgery Brooke ran around Chick Filet so by the time I got in the car the chicken biscuits were calling me…nice and hot. What a friend I have in Brookie! Love you Brookie!

• Brookie was so brave to take me that early because she is having trouble driving when it is dark but her doctor keeps telling her that her cataracts aren’t “done” yet. Narrow Highway 61 is always a bit of challenge to drive at any time, but in the darkness of early morning ….even more challenging. Brooke told me that she sighed with relief when another car passed her without hitting her. This was truly a case of the “blind leading the blind.”

As you can see the surgery cap gave me the flat head…but actually that was the only surgical material I had to wear…I was on a gurney with two blankets covering me in all my day clothes and even my shoes/flats were still on my feet.

Everyone was so nice and friendly….a terrific  experience! Here’s a ‘shout-out’ to my surgeon, Dr Leslie Scarlett and the staff at The Physicians Eye Surgery Center. Great team work!

*…And the only “glasses” I will need now is singular…a drinking glass I got as a gift!  (When Dr. Scarlett asked which option I wanted for my cataract surgery I told her the basic one which is paid for by my Medicare…in other words, the retired school teacher’s option.) She smiled.

So until tomorrow…There are many ways to be “blind”  in our trip through life…a type of blindness that new prescription glasses or contacts can’t improve. My prayer to God is that He clears the clouds from my eyes when it comes to helping and not judging my fellow man.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Thank all of you so much for your calls, texts, emails, comments, notes, and food. I am blessed beyond belief and I know it. Thank you!

Look at these yummy muffins Gin-g dropped off yesterday as Brooke was leaving and Kaitlyn coming in for the “second shift.” Too sweet Gin-g, literally, as well as, descriptively.

*Gin-g, Kaitlyn and I had these delicious muffins for breakfast this morning before Kaitlyn had to run teach a yoga class.

• A great way to start the day and end the blog. Take a minute, listen, sing, whistle, or hum.

• Johnny Nash – I Can See Clearly Now – YouTube