An Encouraging Email From A Reader

 Below is another very nice email I received from a reader of FitEyes.com. I greatly appreciate his encouraging feedback.

Dear David,
Very recently I was diagnosed with Glaucoma. I am only in my early 30's. I was deeply shocked by this diagnosis, it was so unexpected... It is also so scary... Then, I started learning about this illness, trying to understand what can be done to slow down this terrible thing, and how one can control the intraocular pressure.  

I spent several hours while reading your blog. I must say that you are doing a great service to all glaucoma patients. From your blog I got a lot of useful information regarding what influences the intraocular pressure, and how one can manage it. I must say that any additional piece of information that you might publish might have a big meaning to other patients.   

I was also very disappointed by the opthalmologists that I was in contact with. They say something like "take your drops and pray to God". No doubt, there are many other things that can be done, rather than just taking eyedrops. And your findings are just another confirmation of this. 

Thank you again.

I was also shocked by my glaucoma diagnosis at a young age. I went through a lot of emotions and a period of denial. However, after getting involved with the intraocular pressure research projects I began to see evidence in the data of a connection between emotions and intraocular pressure. One thing led to another, and I slowly began to learn some things about what constitutes a healthy attitude for me. The best summary I have written so far about my attitude towards health and glaucoma is this article titled "Embrace Evolve Exceed To Overcome Glaucoma."

I no longer view glaucoma as "this terrible thing." Glaucoma has actually been good for me. However, it did take me a while to realize that. At this point I can say that glaucoma is one of the best things that has happened to me in my life. (And I'm confident that statement can remain true for the rest of my life.) However, I say that in the same way someone would say, "that was one of the best ice cream cones I have ever eaten in my life." Obviously, they enjoyed the brief moment while the ice cream lasted, but they wouldn't have been satisfied keeping the ice cream around for a longer time. Ice cream isn't made to be held on to. It is made to be consumed and to facilitate our inner satisfaction.

For me, glaucoma is an experience I'm enjoying because of the evolution it helps facilitate. However, I'm consuming that experience. As I consume it, I grow. I don't really think of myself as someone who has glaucoma for ever more. In fact, I have demonstrated to myself that I can instantly reduce my intraocular pressure by changing my thoughts. Therefore, I view myself as a person who simply has some thought habits, emotions and lifestyle habits that aren't serving my purposes going forward. In that sense I don't have a permanent incurable disease. (Since glaucoma is considered permanent and incurable, I guess I don't have glaucoma in the sense that some other people have glaucoma.) As I replace those old habits and emotions, the connection between me and glaucoma goes away just as the ice cream goes away when the person consumes it. In the end, all that is left is a positive experience and some satisfaction. I'm using the experience of glaucoma for my personal growth and I'm thankful for this opportunity. Soon enough I will have gotten all the use out of glaucoma that I can, and at that point in time I won't be inviting it to stay around any longer. You'll be able to recognize when that time has come because I'll probably stop writing this blog at that point. (By the way, I believe that time could come as soon as I choose it and I'm feeling ready to do so.)