River Rat Rob's Retina Repair
Donation protected
Retina detachment sucks
...especially when you’ve had it happen 5 times.
Most of you know Rob suffered retinal detachment about 2 years ago in his right eye. In May of 2015, it happened again, this time in his left eye. Though his sight in his right eye was not where it needed to be yet, he would push through another surgery, this time on the left, and after 10 or so weeks of healing he could have the necessary cataract surgery. Healing took longer than expected, then the unthinkable happened –in August the left retina detached again. For a short time, in November and December, he was able to return to work. New year, new beginnings... so he thought. Six months of healing was approaching quickly and cataract surgery was on the horizon. January brought bad news; the right retina was detaching again. That was his good eye. Repeat chorus… more surgery, more healing. On February 15, it happened yet again, the right retina detached once more. Weeks to months of healing will be required and the cataract surgery is still needed too. So, if you are keeping score, that totals 3 detachments in the right eye, and 2 detachments in the left eye. This has left him with about 5%, yes 5%, of normal vision in each eye.
Most of you don’t know, however, that Rob has been privately been battling depression and anxiety through all of this. When the life you are used to is taken from you, in this case, by loss of sight, it is bound to be depressing, right? Add to that anxiety. There seem to be many more questions than answers these days. There is no guarantee the retina will not detach again. What will the end result be? Cataract surgery in each eye is needed before any noticeable vision improvement can be realized and complete retina healing must take place first. How would you react to the unknown on such a grand scale? The unknown is a great cause of anxiety.
This could happen to any of us. Retinal detachment often comes with little warning and he was told there was nothing he did to cause this nor anything he could have done to prevent it.
Working has not been possible for most of the past nine months, and finances are spread thin. Nine months on sick leave, vacation and savings is a long time for any of us. The end is not in sight. Add in second opinions and specialist visits and money just becomes another thing to worry about. He’s not about to be tossed out onto the streets, and he’ not starving, but trying to stretch a rainy day fund to cover a rainy year is quite a challenge. Disposable income has been disposed of.
Rob has worked all his life to be self-sufficient, so it is not easy to ask for help. He is a very private person, despite appearing public, and “putting it all out there”, is truly taking a leap of faith.
A dynamic community member, Rob has done many things to better other’s lives. Water hazards have been marked, with signs he paid for out of his own pocket, making local waterways safer for us all. Waterway maps have helped many of us find our way. The J.A.M. (Johnathan Arrington Memorial), a huge, free, music event that so many have enjoyed, honors his son’s love of music. www.RiverRatRob.com, that handy website that has all the goings on in one neat, tidy package is a favorite for many of us. These are just a few highly notable things Rob has done for the love of others and his community. There are many things he has done to help individuals as well.
It is our turn to help Rob now.
If everyone does a little, no one needs to do a lot. Please donate and share so that others can help too.
Thanks!
...especially when you’ve had it happen 5 times.
Most of you know Rob suffered retinal detachment about 2 years ago in his right eye. In May of 2015, it happened again, this time in his left eye. Though his sight in his right eye was not where it needed to be yet, he would push through another surgery, this time on the left, and after 10 or so weeks of healing he could have the necessary cataract surgery. Healing took longer than expected, then the unthinkable happened –in August the left retina detached again. For a short time, in November and December, he was able to return to work. New year, new beginnings... so he thought. Six months of healing was approaching quickly and cataract surgery was on the horizon. January brought bad news; the right retina was detaching again. That was his good eye. Repeat chorus… more surgery, more healing. On February 15, it happened yet again, the right retina detached once more. Weeks to months of healing will be required and the cataract surgery is still needed too. So, if you are keeping score, that totals 3 detachments in the right eye, and 2 detachments in the left eye. This has left him with about 5%, yes 5%, of normal vision in each eye.
Most of you don’t know, however, that Rob has been privately been battling depression and anxiety through all of this. When the life you are used to is taken from you, in this case, by loss of sight, it is bound to be depressing, right? Add to that anxiety. There seem to be many more questions than answers these days. There is no guarantee the retina will not detach again. What will the end result be? Cataract surgery in each eye is needed before any noticeable vision improvement can be realized and complete retina healing must take place first. How would you react to the unknown on such a grand scale? The unknown is a great cause of anxiety.
This could happen to any of us. Retinal detachment often comes with little warning and he was told there was nothing he did to cause this nor anything he could have done to prevent it.
Working has not been possible for most of the past nine months, and finances are spread thin. Nine months on sick leave, vacation and savings is a long time for any of us. The end is not in sight. Add in second opinions and specialist visits and money just becomes another thing to worry about. He’s not about to be tossed out onto the streets, and he’ not starving, but trying to stretch a rainy day fund to cover a rainy year is quite a challenge. Disposable income has been disposed of.
Rob has worked all his life to be self-sufficient, so it is not easy to ask for help. He is a very private person, despite appearing public, and “putting it all out there”, is truly taking a leap of faith.
A dynamic community member, Rob has done many things to better other’s lives. Water hazards have been marked, with signs he paid for out of his own pocket, making local waterways safer for us all. Waterway maps have helped many of us find our way. The J.A.M. (Johnathan Arrington Memorial), a huge, free, music event that so many have enjoyed, honors his son’s love of music. www.RiverRatRob.com, that handy website that has all the goings on in one neat, tidy package is a favorite for many of us. These are just a few highly notable things Rob has done for the love of others and his community. There are many things he has done to help individuals as well.
It is our turn to help Rob now.
If everyone does a little, no one needs to do a lot. Please donate and share so that others can help too.
Thanks!
Organizer
Robert E. Arrington
Organizer
Big Island, LA
