“I Can See Clearly Now…the “Clouds” are Gone”

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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!

Johnny Nash– I Can See Clearly Now Lyrics

I can see clearly now, the rain (clouds”) is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.I think I can make it now, the pain is gone All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.Look all around, there’s nothing’ but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothing’ but blue skies

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.

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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!

FullSizeRender*…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!

thumbnail_IMG_2744Look 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.

 

 

 

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

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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1 Response to “I Can See Clearly Now…the “Clouds” are Gone”

  1. Sis Kinney says:

    Hi Becky,
    Happy Friday!!!
    As you wrote about your cataract surgery it brought back memories. I, too, had my cataracts removed (about 10 years ago!!), although I don’t believe it was at the same place you went. I believe Bobby went there (W. Ashley); we also have one of the Tervis tumblers w/the name on it. But, I remember when I went for my surgery they brought me back to the waiting area and had me sit in a recliner-type of chair and it actually did recline. The hooked me up and said the same thing – that it would be my “happy juice.” Then, when it was my turn, they just wheeled the chair over to the table and I transferred from the chair onto the surgery table. I remember bright lights, chilly air, and it all looking so shiny, bright and sterile! I was awake the whole time, but don’t remember a thing once they put the whatever-it-was around my eye!! Isn’t that just amazing that they can do that?! What an experience!! And, I believe it was the husband of your eye doc who discovered the cancerous tumor behind Bobby’s nose; his name is Dr. Matthew Scarlett, and he’s an ENT. See how we’re still connected!!!
    Glad you “bit the bullet” and had the surgery done. Now on to the left eye!!
    Summer’s waning up here in the High Country, and I’m not ready for it to be over! Guess I’ll have to plan a visit to my daughter in Williamsburg, VA before too long. Summer is my favorite season!! I know it’s not as hot as Charleston, but it’s still plenty hot there she told me!
    Also a side note: my sister-in-law Marilyn (I told you about HER “little c”) just underwent reconstructive surgery day on Weds. (she didn’t think she’d want it, but changed her mind) and although she said she was in pain, her husband reported that she did get up and walk around some yesterday. We just saw her two weekends ago in Appomattox (our husbands’ father grew up there and we were there for scattering of ashes of an aunt) and she looked GREAT! So, we have another little c survivor!!! Appreciate all your previous prayers on her behalf!
    Glad you can see clearly now!!!
    Sis

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