CATARACT UPDATE

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Jennifer K. Lewis

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.”  Isaiah 43:2 

Dear loyal followers and anyone who reads my postings.

Sometimes a person just needs that ‘break-away’ from writing in order to refresh their brain. (just decide to trust your Heart that our Father God led you to take that ‘break.’

Once in a while, medical reasons prohibit or complicate your ‘normal’ life.  I have developed a cataract as a result of having an eye-cancer surgery performed last April, 2016. Now, I am scheduled to have TWO surgeries spaced two weeks apart. The first surgery, May 8, 2017, is to remove the cataract in my right eye. The second surgery will be May 22, 2017 to balance, (equalize) the vision in my left eye. (my uncorrected vision is 9.0 and 9.5; any person who has vision over 3.0 REQUIRES that second-eye surgery.) Make sense? (maybe researching on Goggle will clarify.)

I like to refine  my writing Before I publish compositions and I would strongly prefer my blog articles to be free of errors. Right now, when I edit/proof my writing, I question myself: “is that a comma, or a period?”, “is this a number one, or an exclamation point?”

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As Arnold Schwarzenegger says, ” … I’ll be Back!!!”

Jennifer K. Lewis

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CATARACT

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Jennifer Kay Lewis

 “ … who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”                                                 II Corinthians 1:4

As has been my ‘norm’, I choose to open my writing(s) with a Scripture.  In order to write intelligently and share this post, I want to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit moving in and through me as I compose this and share my true accounts of the past several months.

I would like to address my loyal followers, as well everyone who may read my stories and enjoys my writing(s.)   Please understand the challenges I face in my typing, writing, and final editing.

It all began with, what was supposed to be a ‘routine’ eye-exam last February, 2015.  (knowing my own eyes and the extremely high-power needed to correct my near-sighted vision, along with other complications I have had through the years, I decided I needed to see a ‘Specialist’.  After research, a referral landed me the exact ‘someone.’

Dr. F. holds a lengthy resume noting on-going knowledge and he continues to gain expertise dealing with my specific ‘medical issues.’

In April, 2015, I had surgery on my right eye to remove the ‘precancerous lesion’ growing in my eye.  Praises to our Lord!  That surgery went well.  Although it took several weeks for the ‘red’ to diminish, the white portion of my eye, {the Sclera}, finally, became dominant replacing the unattractive redness.

                                                                  “ Let People Know Your Experiences.                                                                                                                  Something you have been through just may help someone else. ”                                                 Pastor Steve Irwin ~ Cedar Rapids, IA 

During my initial follow-up visits with Dr. F. , a growing cataract was discovered .                    Dr. F. had previously informed me, “a cataract is a ‘normal’ manifestation resulting from any kind of “trauma” to the eye, (including surgery).”                           Image result for cataracts

However, there was no way for me to really understand what this would mean.  In coming weeks, it became more clear, or should I say “it became less clear” as my vision was clouding more and more leading to a Vaseline-like ‘film’  hindering my sight.

The biggest issue for me became too real and undeniable for me as this ‘progression’ of the cataract growth began to rapidly affect my ability to see to type on my laptop, compose/write, edit, and retype my work.  (you see ~ I’ m rather like a perfectionist in my writing(s).  I take great pride in trying to submit an article that is free of gross mistakes and I like to feel certain that my writing(s) are published exempt of errors.)

Over the past ten-months, Dr. F. has continued to closely monitor the cataract and has kept his vigil eye on evolving changes.  The increasing transformation has created numerous alterations to my eyesight.

On February 9th, 2017, Dr. F. advised, “at this point, insurance will pay to have this cataract surgically removed and replaced with a permanent lens.  Then, because you are extremely near-sighted, you qualify to have the other  eye operated on as well.  And, you will need this procedure dImage result for cataractsone because your brain will be working overtime trying to “focus” the two drastically different measurements (prescriptions) in eyesight.”   Dr. F. advised that he will complete the second-eye surgery about two-weeks after the first surgery.

In the coming weeks and months, I will be facing surgeries on both eyes.  To further matters, I am in the process of getting approved for a secured, apartment so also plan to fun move in the next few weeks.

My confidence remains quite high in that I will turn this “trauma” into a victorious “testimony” reflecting God’s divine healing powers!

Having a few major things on my horizon, I hope you will Image result for smiley prayingappreciate my efforts to keep writing, as best I can in my human power.  And, PLEASE, PLEASE remember me in your prayers.  “Thank you Kindly!”

Growing In Christ,

Jennifer (Jen) Lewis

 

 

 

CORNFIELD IMAGINATION        

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Jennifer K. Lewis

Memory …the Diary “We All Carry About With Us.  Oscar Wilde

It was a hot, muggy day in August.  For four high-spirited kids, the heat of the day never pushed our brakes.  Excitedly, the Lewis crew scampered to the back-forty to discover whatever we could muster.

As usual, we had no clue what we were looking for, but it really didn’t matter ~ we would know when we stumbled-upon the finding.  The natural grounds of the unsoiled back-woods always provided abundant hunts and pacified active children’s quests.

We were joyfully skipping and frolicking along at the edge of the majestic cornfield.   Near the edge of the cornfield, a rambling creek twisted and winded its way through the woods.  This creek was so cool!  It narrowly began at the far west corner of our land and continued to widen as it rambled through nearly forty acres.  The widening creek joined forces with a much larger creek at the distant east corner of our acreage.

“You are A Child Of God … You Are Dearly Loved, and Precious In His Sight, Before God Made You … He Knew You.  There Is No One Else Like You.”          Psalm 139:16 

Image result for little girl playing by creekMy big sister, Colleen and I decided to go wading in the creek to cool off. Sliding down the eroded embankment, Colleen felt something sharp stick her in backside.  Then, low-and-behold, it almost jumped-out at us … we found what we thought was an arrowhead.   (arrowheads are mighty hard to come by – even when you are hunting them; nevertheless, we were lucky to unearth this bright, colorful arrowhead.  (usually, arrowheads are found in or near creeks because the Indians made their camps along these water sources.)  It even had the full point and was in pristine condition.

We knew our all-knowing Dad could confirm our mysterious find!                                               (Dad knew everything). Momma could identify it too!                                                                                         (they were actually pretty smart ~ for old people).

“In His Grace, God Has Given Us Different Gifts  For Doing Certain Things Well.”                                                                                                                 Romans 12:6-8

Brother Kerry was laughing as he darted in and out of the rows of cornImage result for boy with cornstalk.  It seemed the brothers were busy playing some silly game.

For some strange reason, the boys had targeted a specific cornstalk.  With persistent determination, they pulled and twisted it until it finally broke free as the deep roots had stretched into the solid ground.

Billy started waving the cornstalk around pretending it was a ‘flag.’  Bill held the long stalk high up in the air and kept waving it back-n-forth yelling, “flag”, “flag.”

(I couldn’t help but giggle at his way-out-there imagination!)  (Billy got excellent grades in school and all the rest of us Lewis kids could reason was that his bizarre imagination had been culminated as a result of some scientific or biological event, (or something like that.)  Billy always ‘challenged things’ and played on the extreme fringes.

We were just too hot.  Mom said she was making a Big pitcher of lemonade for us whenever we got back to the house.  Last night, Mom had helped Colleen and I make a double batch of old-fashioned oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies.

Visions of indulging in several thick nutty cookies along with a tall, glass of cold lemonade sure invited our appetites.   (after all, we had been playing really hard).

Kerry exclaimed, “last one back to the house is a rotten egg!”  So, we started running as fast as our little legs would go …

“I want to go back to believing in everything and knowing nothing.”    Dr. Seuss

Growing In Christ,                                                                                     Emoticon Smiley Emoji Heart Emoji Apaixonado Vt9gc Image Provided -  EpiCentro Festival

Jennifer K. Lewis

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“Thank You So much for allowing me to take your time.”                                                                            “May our Lord God Richly Bless Your Life!”

‘LINK’

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Jennifer K. Lewis

 “Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body”.  Proverbs 16:24

Many of us seem to share the some of the same sentiments in our informative Ataxia ‘chat-rooms.’  Medical statistics offer validated numbers related to the support given to those who are living day-to-day with nary a glimmer of a hope challenged with any type of traumatic disease, or in our case, any form of Ataxia.   That unconditional and compassionate ‘Link’ is an important factor delineating an unwavering health condition.  Even as we endure this unrecognized, nebulous and loosely researched, disorder, it is preferable to have reassuring, comforting acceptance of families and friends.  That is ideal!

http://www.ataxia.org/forum/toast.asp 

The avenue(s) provided in our distinctive support groups, offer much hope and console dejected spirits.  These groups provide a ‘Link’ for opportunities to talk with and rely on each-other for understanding.  We actively research and educate others as well as help one-another to think and feel better about ourselves.  Isn’t it awesome to listen and learn from others on how they strategically cope with their defined ‘diagnosis?!’

 “It is not Fancy Hair, nor Gold Jewelry, or Fine Clothes that Should make You Beautiful.  No, Your Beauty Should come from Inside You ~ the Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit.  That Beauty Will Never Disappear and it Is Worth Very Much to God.”  I Peter 3:3-4

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 Mother Teresa’s Anyway Poem

“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.”

 (for the complete poem, refer to ‘link below)                    http://prayerfoundation.org/mother_teresa_do_it_anyway.htm

My Prayer: “My Heavenly Father God, please be with all people who face any kind of sickness or disease.  Comfort our Hearts and lead us to those “still wRelated imageaters” to be “restored” by the security in your teachings of unconditional Love and acceptance.  Be our pilot and lead us to safely navigate our rocky path.  In times, when we may feel like we are alone trudging through a black abysmal valley, help us to “fear no evil.”  Instead, ‘Link’ our  minds and thoughts  to clearly refocus in tandem to know you are right there with us. Encourage us in your Promises and let our hearts remain steadfast to delight in you!  Calm our spirits and remind us your Grace and Mercy surrounds us as we commit ourselves to every unknown step you secure.”

Growing In Christ,

Jennifer Lewis

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May our God Richly Bless Your Life!!

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