Teresa’s Blog

Last summer I noticed that there seemed to be a “shadow” in the vision of my left eye. In typical Teresa fashion, I ignored it for several months. Finally, in September, I made an appointment with my optometrist. At my appointment, Dr. Koval found that there was cause for concern and made an appointment for me to see Dr. John Minturn, a specialist.

October 1st Mark and I met with Dr. Minturn and we sat while he told us that I had an occular melanoma … a cancerous tumor in my left eye. Cancer huh? 97% cure rate. Surgery to implant a radioactive disc behind my eye. Four days in the hospital with limited human contact. Hmm.

I can’t even begin to tell you how at peace I was. I know that it had to have been God’s peace. It isn’t normal to be at peace when someone tells you that you have cancer. I didn’t “lose it” till the doctor told me I wouldn’t be able to be around my granddaughter Chloe during the four days that I was radioactive. That made me cry. But beyond that, I was and continue to be, wrapped in the love and peace of God.

November 9th, my 50th birthday, I had surgery at Methodist Hospital. Everything went as planned, and the next four days loomed ahead with little prospect of anything but boredom. I had a lead eye patch … not too stylish … and very heavy! I added a smiley face sticker to it one day, and a google-eye to see if I could persuade Dr. Minturn to smile, but he remained as stoic as ever. A couple of good friends braved the radiation, and my brother Joe (a dynamite jazz bassist) brought me a milkshake from Hardee’s. Beyond that it was Mark, the nursing staff, the Food Network, and me.
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