Optic Neuritis

So, as a doctor, you think you're prepared for lots of medical problems. However, when you suddenly lose vision in your left eye, it takes you by shock. I was diagnosed with optic neurotis (see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/optic-neuritis/DS00882 or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optic_neuritis) and one brain MRI, two ophthalmology appointments, two optometry appointments and one neurology appointment later everything is fine. Or not. They still don't know what caused it but I don't have mutiple sclerosis (thank goodness) or cat cratch disease (can't blame my cats). And my vision's back to normal, so I'm very thankful for that.

Through this experience, I:

1. Have been strengthened in my belief in God (I had to go immediately back to work after my MRI (which was looking for signs of multiple sclerosis) but my first three patients no-showed, allowing me more time to relax and breathe)

2. Found out that being in medicine allows you to get appointments faster but that some medical professions lack compassion when one of their one is sick/injured

3. And learned how valuable depth perception is (The first couple days, I couldn't figure out why I kept missing the small test tube when I was trying to place a swab in it!)

I'm very glad to have my vision back now. The only thing I still notice is that my vision gets hazy when I excercise (see below; just an example of what it looks like to me. Despite the label, I don't have MS).

I am actually somewhat thankful to have been able to see (or not see :) ) what my patients go thru, but I hope not to have to be a patient again anytime soon!

You know you're a military spouse if....

I saw this t-shirt in the BX the other day. It's funny because of how true, and crazy, it is (back me up on this one Lynn and Kristin!)

Who, other than members and families of the military, would consider this normal?!

Hide and Seek!

Yet again, Thea has found a new hiding place. While the B's were visiting, I realized I hadn't seen Thea for a while. I searched for her in all her normal hiding places and couldn't find her. Finally, after almost giving up, I saw her here.











When I first found her, her head was down and eyes were closed, so I had to shake her to make sure she was still alive.



Thea, you will never cease to amaze me!

Visitors from England!

It truly is a small world! Last weekend (yes, I'm a bit delinquent in posting), the 'B' family came to visit me in Germany. I met them when I was in Korea last year and they are now in England. Strangely enough, we're all American but have never seen each other in the US!

The four of them (E, K and their two sons N (3) and e (2) ) drove from England. Yes, I said drove. This was a 14 hours trip involving a ferry ride, driving thru snow and rain and ending with a 3 year old screaming in the back seat of the car. I'm with you N; I would have been screaming too!

On Saturday, we went to the Landstuhl fortress (Berg Nanstein) which is about 5 miles from my house. N loved going up and down the steps and wanted to explore everywhere! Luckily, I love to explore too!





We found a cute cafe to have lunch in (yes, this town is 5 minutes away from my house, but that was the first time I had eaten in the town!) Then it was time for the boys' nap.

Saturday afternoon, K and I went in search of wine. She had been told about a good Italian wine store in Kaiserslautern and we found it. However, I think she overestimated how helpful I would be in the wine selecting endeavor. When she said something to the effect of "which ones do you think are good?" I responded with "Well, this label looks pretty." K and E, you'll have to let me know which ones you like! (and if the label beauty correlates with the taste!)

On Sunday, we ventured out to Trier. Trier is thought to be one of, if not, the oldest cities in Germany. It was first settled in 16 BC. Yep, you read correctly; that's BC, as in Before Christ, more than 2000 years ago!

Below is the Porta Nigra which was built in the 200s.




We climbed up to the top of it (way to go, K!) and had an amazing view of the town below. Thankfully the stairs have been remodeled in the last 1800 years!




We had crepes and waffles for lunch (it fit right in the with pizza for breakfast!) and then were off to see more sights.

E and N entertained us with their imitations of airplanes. Do I see another pilot in the B family future? Based on his organizational abilities (you should see this kid do puzzles!), I'm thinking maybe an engineer.




Here's a great picture of the B family!




Thanks for the great visit (and for the Hob Nobs!) Hope to see you in England soon!