Chapter 3-Mariah's Glaucoma Journey

Chapter Three – Unwritten
Friends and family.  A quick update to Mariah’s, aka “my Riah”, Glaucoma Journey.

You were not made aware of Mariah’s third Glaucoma surgery on Nov. 1, 2017.  Almost a year to the date of her first surgery, at her yearly checkup on Sept. 28th, it was discovered that the first surgery had failed and she would need another “procedure” on her right eye. We were told it was not as invasive as the first surgeries; that this procedure was a “modification” and performed with a laser rather than a Scalpel. What they didn’t tell us is that it was actually going to take longer than the original surgery, or that they would be scraping off the scar tissue from the surgical sight and reopening the  trabeculectomy opening. Let me spare you the details and just leave it at this – It was worse!

Mariah was broken, devastated, overwhelmed, distraught, sad, and shattered when she was told she would need another surgery. We thought she would be good for at least 20 years. I think it is fair to say she was mad and just done with it all! It’s too much to keep hearing that you need another surgery, procedure, test….etc. Too much to bear in the moment - we just go numb. No thoughts – No Feelings.

When she called to tell me the news, it was all I could do to not have a breakdown myself. It’s just too much….seriously, just too much. So we did the best thing we could do that afternoon, we went drinking!

Like the strong, young, confident woman that she is – she got through it. She is still in recovery from the 3rd surgery, and unfortunately, now she is dealing with concurrent issues…

To Be Continued!

Thank you to all who have taken this journey with Mariah, who continue to shower her with love and support during this difficult & trying time in her life.
*** We have no expectations, and anything you do, is more than you had to do! ***

******************************************************




I Can’t See Clearly Yet!
Glaucoma Surgery Complications.

“When the solid ground is falling out from underneath my feet
Between the black skies, and my red eyes, I can barely see
I see the future, I picture, slowly fade away
And when the tears of pain and heartache are falling down my face
I find my peace in Jesus' name”

Mariah has been experiencing some complications from her second glaucoma surgery.

At Mariah’s one-week post-op appointment her Dr. saw a fiber across the incision in her eye that had caused a break in the healing process. The fiber was not allowing the incision to close and instead, was allowing fluid to leak out around it, causing a concerning reduction in the IOP in that eye – down to 10 (Ideal IOP is between 12 – 15). Low pressure is just as dangerous as high pressure. We were playing with fire prior to surgery as her pressure was at 39, but the danger of losing her vision is still real at the low pressure of 10.

To complicate matters, Mariah is experiencing some blind spots due to the drainage. The leak at the top of her eye is draining straight down the middle of her vision causing a thick, vertical, blind spot with some haziness on both sides. If Mariah’s eye is not able to heal completely on its own she will have to be fitted with a contact lens inserted to cover the incision acting like a Band-Aid. This needs to happen sooner than later as we do not want any scar tissue to form.

Thank you to all who have taken this journey with Mariah, and who continue to shower her with love and support during this difficult and trying time in her life. We are hoping and praying that the delay in healing will not cause much more disruption in our lives and that she will soon be able to pursue her career as an artist.

Mariah could really use your help right now as rent is due and she cannot work during this time. She has always been a minimalist, and as long as her basic needs are met, she is content and can rest & recover.

As always, donations of any amount, and shares of our page are sincerely appreciated.

******************************
Chapter 2 – Mariah’s second Glaucoma surgery is scheduled.

23 years old, 10 major surgeries, going on 11. She is a Survivor, desperately clinging to her eyesight and newly found independence.

Here we go again! Another round of procedures, surgery and a three to 6 month recover period during which time Mariah will not be able to work to support herself.

One week from today, December 14, Mariah will have her left eye operated on due to uncontrollable Glaucoma. It has been almost 3 months since the surgery to her right eye and we are very pleased with the outcome. We are praying for the same successful outcome this time around too.

We are very thankful for all the compassion, support and love so many have given to Mariah. She has not been able to work for 4 months now due to the disease and while recovering from her first surgery. Any donation you could make at this time would be greatly appreciated, especially at this time of year. Our holiday wishes are simple - to be home recovering, being grateful for the miracle of a new lease on Mariah’s vision.

I am raising funds to help Mariah with her basic needs for rent, utilities, and medical expenses, to help ease the stress and fear she is facing from this disease, the many doctor appointments, and the procedure itself, so she can focus on healing.

As always, donations of any amount, and shares of our page are sincerely appreciated.

****************************************************
Chapter 1 - Mariahs Glaucoma Journey

23 years old, 9 major surgeries, going on 10. She is a Survivor , desperately clinging to her eyesight and newly found independence.

Two years ago, at the age of 21 my daughter, Mariah, was diagnosed with Glaucoma. She has suffered various, non-traditional symptoms due to the high IOP  (high 30’s) including blackouts and two trips to the ER for unexplained reasons. She has suffered emotionally and psychologically as well, and she is very frightened at the thought of losing her eyesight.  She has been prescribed every eye-drop available, independently and in combination, at maximum levels possible. For two years, it has been trial and error – mostly errors to the extent that they failed.

The time has come. Her wonderful doctors at Casey Eye Institute have decided she will need surgery on both eyes. This has always been the hardest part for me, as Riah's mom. I've handed her over to surgeons nine times since birth, and it will never be easy. Her first glaucoma surgery is scheduled for September 28th. 

She is an amazing, yet struggling artist, up-and-coming onto the Portland scene. It seems that what we value most in our life  is what is threatened. A pianist’s nimble fingers become stiffened by crippling arthritis. A singer is stricken by an ailment that silences his vocal cords. An artist’s main tools become weak, vulnerable, and possibly blind. 

Life is not fair. It will never be fair. But she is winning in the game of life, because her success rate for getting through horrible days, and nine surgeries, is 100%.

I am raising funds to help Mariah with her living expenses, rent, utilities, and medical expenses, that she will not be able to meet on her own, to help ease the stress and fear she is facing from this disease, the many doctor appointments, and the procedure itself, so she can just focus on healing. She will not be able to work for the next 4 to 6 months as she will need to have the surgeries on each eye over the span of 4 months and then there is the recovery time.

Please consider supporting my daughter with whatever you can. Every dollar helps. This medical crisis has already wiped out her finances. She still faces more treatment and the expense of the same surgery on the other eye.

Please share this post, and keep us in your prayers. We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of support, love and compassion.