Y’all, I don’t quite know where to start with the past couple of days and doctors and meds and anxieties – except to first say that I am okay, just crazy tired – and then begin at the beginning.

Wednesday morning I had a regular doctors appointment where, in addition to managing my usual medications, he added a medrol dosepak for this awful flare that won’t give up because of last week’s gluten exposure.

(Hopefully it will help.)

From there, I went to the eye doctor because my vision in my left eye has become much worse – to the point that I cannot read out of it at all.

This would be of concern for anyone (of course), but is especially worrisome for me since some of my medications, like Plaquenil and steroids can affect the eyes negatively.

My optometrist thoroughly assessed my eyes and determined that there had been a change in my left eye prescription from -1.25 to -9.00, finding two cataracts – yes, cataracts!?! – and wanting a retina specialist to check the back wall of my eyes as I have been on Plaquenil, a medication that is high risk, for nine years.

(Unlike cataracts, which can be corrected, retinal damage from Plaquenil is likely permanent – so this was frightening to consider.)

She called the Callahan Eye Foundation from the exam room, literally at 4:57 PM, and got me worked in for 8:30 AM Thursday morning.

On Thursday morning, Bug and I set out for the Eye Foundation.

There, my eyes were dilated for the second time in two days and I was thoroughly worked up and seen by a fantastic new doctor.

After checking everything, he verified that I do have the two cataracts that are related to all the steroids I have been given over the years – and that is what has so impacted my vision. They will have to be removed soon – which is another matter that I will be sorting and coordinating with all my other docs in the coming weeks.

He also said that my retinas look good right now – thank God – but Plaquenil is dosed by weight (which is something I have never known) – and the dose I have been on for nine years is one of ocular toxicity for me. I was shocked – but so thankful that this happened to bring me into his office before damage could occur.

I will be immediately lowering my dose and will be followed by him once a year.

In the coming weeks, I’ll also be addressing my cataracts – but, right now, after all of this happening with my eyes, as well as three doctor’s appointments in two days while in the middle of this celiac flare, I am bone tired, just completely exhausted, and everything hurts.

Tomorrow will be a day of rest and reading and letting this dosepak do its work.

Wishing you all a Happy Friday going into this weekend.

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.