How long does it take to recover from being sick and pick up where you left off? The answer depends on more than just “how sick were you”. What else is going on in your life? In the world?
A little over a year ago (November 2020) I called out sick to work. The next day I called out again. And again. And again. My not feeling well turned into an episode of major depression. Part of it may have been from being overwhelmed (I was working 2 jobs) and part of it, I know, was due to my eyesight. I had cataracts, and I’d known I’d had cataracts for just over a year, but I had no money for the insurance deductible, hence the 2nd job doing DoorDash.
I was diagnosed with cataracts in September 2020. I HAD scheduled for surgery but the day before the first surgery I was called and advised of the deductible, $2000. To some that may not seem like a lot, but to me it is. Not to mention A) it was unexpected, therefore not saved up for and B) Hello Covid! I was the only one of three roommates working at the time, paying all the bills. I canceled my surgeries and continued to work until December when I could no longer see the computer program to continue working. I continued to DoorDash and started GrubHub and did those until May 2021, when my sight got bad enough it was not safe for me to drive anymore. It *sucked* relying on family to pay all the bills and drive me when I needed to go somewhere.
Fast forward to November 2021… I was finally able to see the ophthalmologist again and scheduled cataract surgeries for both eyes in December. I was also diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma and scheduled for surgery the end of December as well. My left eye was first, vision at the time 20/400! I was double legally blind in that eye! Everything went well and my vision just a few days later was 20/40. The right eye was just 2 weeks later and just a week after surgery vision was also 20/40. Now I can see well enough to drive again and I can see the computer again!
My MOHS surgery for the skin cancer was delayed due to a minor snow storm in our area, but the surgeon was out of town and his flight was canceled. Just a week later at the beginning of January I had the surgery on my chin. I am now cancer free and able to see (long distance I still need an eye glass prescription). WooHoo, I’m once again an independent woman!
After a short 3-week vacation to the Netherlands (all about that in an upcoming post!), I am home, refreshed and ready to return to work! I’m starting with DoorDash because it’s just so easy and I’ve got some feelers out for FT work. Not to mention I’m back to work on my blog, which is just as exciting!
Now, to pick up where I left off…?
Or maybe it’s time to review and regroup. That needs to be done occasionally anyway, right?
I’ll be thinking on that…
Wow! You went through a lot. I’m just happy to know that you were able to do the required surgeries and your sight has improved so you can see to work again. So happy that you are also cancer free. Wishing you all the best for the future.
Thank you, it was overwhelming and humbling. I’m not one who is used to relying on others, I’ve always had an independent spirit.
Here’s to an improved 2022 and beyond!