Friday, August 17, 2012

ICE Syndrome - Attitude and Gratitude

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the start of this blog.   In that one year, I went from not knowing one person with ICE to now having communicated with eleven fellow ICErs and several blog friends.   You readers lift me up!   We are all in different stages and all of us struggle at times – but we are all in this together.    There is a lot I want to do to make this site more beneficial.   In some cases I need to learn some new technology or do more research and, as always, I need to find the time.   If there is something that you think would be helpful, please let me know.   Thank you everyone!    And now to my post......

I subscribe to a "Daily Thought" that is delivered to my email each day  - and several weeks ago this one showed up in my inbox....

Source
Not many “quotes of the day” grab my attention, but this one did.    If you have read some of my previous posts, you can often catch an underlying theme .... we can choose our responses to our situations.... and when we choose a positive response to a not-so-good situation....things change.    A positive attitude does make a difference.  I have to remind myself of this often.

So when it comes to the quote above, I do agree with the basic premise, except it's missing something.  For me, happiness depends on more than just my "quality thoughts".   I also need my faith, my family and my friends.   Mix in quality thoughts and a positive outlook and I will have a happier life.     

So what in the world does this have to do with ICE?    Well, sometime over the past 12 months, something changed - I chose to think of this disease differently.    I wouldn't be able to change the fact that I had this disease, that I had been through so much already and that there was much more to come.   But I could choose to think - and believe - and know - that somehow this rare ICE disease is a blessing in disguise.   Hard to believe, but I'm grateful!   I still have days where I struggle - I'm human!  But by stopping and readjusting the attitude, I realize ICE has been, and is, a blessing that reveals itself in many ways - through my faith, family and friends (including you fellow ICErs).  I'll share some examples in the future.

ICE changed my life....in more ways than just the physical damage.     It changed my attitude.   It gave me gratitude. 

I challenge you to think of how your attitude can lead to gratitude!  
    


3 comments:

  1. As a new member of this exclusive club - recently diagnosed with bilateral Chandlers variant ICE Syndrome - I have to say I am finding your blog insightful as well as a very interesting resource. I am currently treating my corneas to a 5% salt solution twice a day to drain excess fluid and kepping a close check on pressure. I look forward to further updates and wish all of you the very best.
    Raechel - Adelaide, South Australia.

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  2. Your attitude continues to amaze me, Deb. I send you positive thoughts and a big hug.

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  3. I was diagnosed with ICE in 1994. I saw numerous doctors before one diagnosed the problem He was at University of Tennessee school of optomology. As a senior English teacher and living close to the University of Mississippi, I was asked to supervise many student teachers. One of the student teachers asked me one day what was wrong with my eye. I had no idea. I knew my vision seemed blurry at times, but had not noticed how distorted my pupil was. It changed shapes daily: oval, triangular, slit like a cat's eye, even a blob that was no certain shape. It was 11 doctor visits later that I got the diagnosis at UT.
    It's been a long road since then. Too much to tell in one entry. I had a corneal transplant in 2000 because my cornea started forming blisters. Each one would start tiny like something small in my eye-we all know how uncomfortable something in your eye can be- but it would get bigger by the day. Some got as large as an eraser on a pencil. Then it would burst. The day it burst, I couldn't open my eye. It burned and watered so badly! In a day or so, it would be better, but I could feel another one forming. This was continuous and quite painful. It was my cornea deteriorating, thus the transplant.
    I have been on many types of drops for years. It seems I'm putting drops in my eyes continuously. I've had cataract surgery, lens replacement, laser surgery to remove the membrane that has grown behind my transplant blocking all my vision-what little I had! The membrane grew right back and with a vengeance. It's thicker than ever so I have no vision in that eye except I can tell if a light is on. What amazes me is how light can still cause so much pain for me when I basically have no sight. But it does! I can put sunglasses on and be ok in daylight sunshine, but artificial lights, neon lights, car headlights, lights inside buildings at night cause severe pain. I can hardly go anywhere in the evening hours. If I do, I'm in pain.My son is a college football coach. If he has afternoon games, I can go. Night games under the lights are too painful. I feel as though this disease has been robbing me for years. I'm working on my outlook and trying to be positive. My pressure has gotten out of control and I am scheduled for a shunt July 5. I really am scared and don't know what to expect. I have been reading this blog and every comment. It has helped me so much. I can relate to everything I've read. Finally, I've found others who understand.
    There is so much more I could tell, but that would be a book.Thanks for sharing your ICE stories. One question please. We all know the three forms of ICE. I have been told I have all the symptoms of all three forms. Has anyone else been told that? Thanks for answering. Donna Foster, Pearl, Mississippi

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