Soulful Sunday - Grateful

{This is long}

I've got a testimony! God is so good and faithful…….

Every year, my husband and I have eye exams - full on eye exams with everything included. Everything meaning the retinal imaging that costs a bit extra, but so worth it.  Typically, everything is fine - no issues - let's go get something to eat - fine. Not this time………

 This past December (2016), I had my annual exam with the retinal imaging.  This time though something wasn't fine. Dr. Courtney Zeller at Ossip Optometry noticed something when she saw the picture of my left eye. What? I am near-sighted, but I've always had great results with my other tests.
She did a little further digging and then suggested that I go see a retinal specialist. She wasn't sure what it was but thought I should have it checked out. "No need to rush the appointment, but try to see him before the end of January, she said.  Eyes dilated and my perception a bit off, I proceeded to take two of my nieces and nephews Christmas shopping.

Fast forward to January and a visit to The Midwest Eye Institute to see Dr. Nick Hrismalos.  I was told that my eyes would be dilated again, expect at least 3 hours for the visit and that there would be a LOT of older folks in the waiting rooms - ALL TRUE. After many eye drops (numbing and dilation) and poking in my eye (YUCK) , Dr. Hrismalos thought it was likely scar tissue. He wanted to get the actual pictures from Ossip.

 A few weeks later, I'm back. This doesn't sound good……. Again, more numbing and dilation while they poked and placed super bright lights in my eyes to examine them. Then, he looks at the pictures from 2014 - 2016. The look on his face wasn't the best. So, I asked to see the pictures.  The first thought that popped in my head - "This looks like a tumor." The next words out of his mouth (to his nurse),  "Is Minturn here? I need Minturn to do a quick assessment." Me (in my head) "Who is Minturn?". In fact, I actually thought he said intern. Ummmm, why is an intern looking at my eye??

So, about two minutes later this other doctor - Dr. Minturn comes into the room. No formalities - cut to the chase. I would come to love that about him because the small talk when I am  scared can be an annoyance.  He then asks my nationality. Ummm…. African American (with white and American Indian from my mom. Why?  "Well, I think this is a form of melanoma, but it's typically not malignant in African Americans." WHAT? Melanoma? Yep, that's what he said.

I scheduled the next appointment for a Friday (the only day they see patients for cancer).  Queue my prayer warriors…….I told my close friends and family.

I was actually pretty good until the day before and the day of the appointment. The devil attacks your thoughts in the midnight hour when he thinks you are alone. Guess what? LATE IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR GOD'S GONNA TURN IT AROUND!

The day of the appointment, Ken and I went for breakfast and ran a few errands to take my mind off of it. Once we arrived at the appointment, I had the worst feeling in my stomach - queasiness.

More dilation, poking around and a new thing ULTRASOUND……from the intern (yep, an actual intern) and then Dr. Minturn. It turns out, he is one of the leading ocular oncologists in the country and the only one in the Midwest. Thank God for placing him here.

Here is my praise report - The mass is not melanoma AND get this it shrunk! Thank you LORD!!!!!!!
There was a big release of tears of joy and gratitude. God is so faithful. The prayers of the righteous availeth  much!

I prayed for a miracle and God delivered. My prayer warriors prayed for a miracle and God delivered.

I honestly never felt like "Why me?". Why not me? Many others have been diagnosed, but right now this was not my battle. I do believe my testimony is to help others ask for retinal imaging and to not sweat the small stuff. A health scare can truly bring you to your knees.

I am a huge researcher. Yet, this scared me to death and I didn't want to read anything about it. I didn't.
Sometimes the internet can create more chaos especially when we try to diagnose ourselves.

I do have to go back in four months for a follow-up visit. I will continue to get my yearly eye exams WITH the retinal imaging. I will continue praising God for all He does - whether I understand or not.

My prayer is that someone will read this and raise awareness of eye diseases and ocular cancers.
My prayer is that someone will read this and realize that God is still in the healing business!
Miracles do still happen………