Today we drove to Portland to the Casey Eye Institute at OHSU — specifically to the Glaucoma Department to consult with a specialist about the pressures in my eyes — specifically my left eye.  It’s a trip I’ve been dreading for over a year — not just because of the “verdict” I might hear, but because of the  drive, itself.  When you don’t trust your ability to see, driving to unfamiliar territory is a bit terrifying.  But along came Covid and “saved” me from having to face the inevitable… until today.

It went well on all counts.  Nyel  (who cannot drive anymore but can see circles around me) rode shotgun and made sure I was aware of changing speed limits, upcoming “Men At Work” and other road hazards that are bound to get in the way of smooth sailing (or whatever we do on dry land.)   My appointment was for one o’clock and we arrived in plenty of time to scope out the building and find a spot to eat our lunch which Nyel had made before we left home — tuna fish sandwiches, chips for me, an apple for him, and some tangerines for both of us.

I was pleased with the doctor who dealt with me.  He was wonderful about answering my questions and totally reassuring about my glaucoma status — as in… so far I’ve lost very little peripheral vision and by following up with this appointment I’m actually being “pro-active” about my eye health.  Yay!

A Page from 2006!

When we arrived home we followed our “usual” recent cocktail hour routine of looking at a scrapbook that is headed to the  Columbia Pacific Heritage  Museum.  Tonight’s was “2006, January to June”.  So many meals out with friends!   And, I’m happy to say, so many with my mom!  And, sadly, so many “goodbyes” — to Lee McHugh and to my cousins by marriage John Speziali and Ralph Rittenour, and to my very best friend through high school and beyond, Joanne Bruner Dangerfield.  Plus it was the year I signed the contract for my Dear Medora book with WSU Press.  Fifteen years ago!  It seems so short ago and so long ago all at the same time.

A full day for sure!  We are counting our blessings once again.