I started the new school year on Monday, August 24, 2009. It was the begining of my junior year, which has started off great so far. School has kept me busy and can be quite overwhelming sometimes. That’s why it’s been hard for me to update my blog and all, but I have seen slight and suttle improvements while at school though.
This year I’m taking a easy class load than I ever have. No honors and AP classes for me this year unfortunately. I decided to take easier clases, because I wanted to take the time to enjoy the things I love to do most. I didn’t want to fel confined to study all the time. Also, it is quite stressful sometimes. Just want to take things easy and just let me vision improve.
Well, I’ve been in school for nearly 4 weeks now, and noticed a few improvments. I haven’t used Braille all year, sinc eI’ve realized that the large print was more than helpful. When I got back to school and got large print papers again, it seemed so diferent, since it seems so much larger than before, but in reality my vision is just getting better. Also, I am to read the clock on the wall from the front row. And a couple of my teachers have noticed that my handwriting is better. For example, when I write on lined paper, my handwriting is a lot more clearer and straighter than it was before. It’s been fun exciting to notice all these improvements while I’m in school, and just hope to notice more in the comming weeks and months.
Hoping for the best out of these stem cells!
-Michell
September 13th, 2009
I know I have not been able to update my blog in awhile, since I’ve been busy and just seemed like I’ve been trying to catch up on things in life lately. Well, last month I went to the eye doctor for my yearly check-up. This was about a month after we got back from China,s o of course my family and I were excited to hear what the doctors had to say about my improvements. I was so looking forward to this appointment, but little did I know this was going to be moreof a disappoinment than anything.
My brother, Matthew and I both had an appointment on the same day, since it was just easir for my parents. This appointment was early in the morning, and we decided to go as a family, which is something we usually don’t do. We were excited to hear what the doctors have to say, because it was one thing for me to say what I noticed, but another to hear it from a doctor.
So, we get to the doctor’s office, and tis supposely one of the best eye centers in the town I live in, so boviously i’m hoping that it will be a good experience. First, we fill out all the normal paper work, and wait for the nurse to do my first test before we actually see the doctor. Usually I do a visual field test first, that’s how its been since I’ve been going to this doctor for about 5 years now. When my name was called, I figured that was the test we were going to do. While in China I had more improvements on my visual field, so I wanted to see what it would be like here now that I’m back in the US. Little did I know, I wasn’t even going to take that test today. I was confused, and I asked why I wasn’t able to take the visual field test, and apparently it isn’t sually part of a usal check-up. I have to request to take that test, but how am I suapposed to request something that I don’t know about.
We thought about it, and figured we could just take the test next time. So, I did the regualr eye check usig the eye chart and everything. On my right eye, I was able to see the first row, which was a normal thing for me. And on my left eye I was also able to see the first row, which my family and I all knew that is something that I wasn’t able to se before, since my left eye is just a little worse than my right eye. Before I was alb eto see movement or fingers a few feet in front of me. Obviously, this was a big deal for me,a nd was eager to hear what the doctor had to say about this…
So, now we’re patiently waiting to see the doctor. We knew the doctors here would be different than in China. Doctors in China were very patient and willing to spend as much time with you as they needed to answer any questions you may have.
Finally, the doctor walks in and asks if I’ve seen any improvements, and I say no, because we didn’t tell hima bout our experience in China because he just wouldn’t unerstand.
So, I’m waiting to hear what this dotor has to say about my improvements, and he says nothing. I’m disappointed now, and a bit dicouraged. So, we ask again if he’s sure there are no improvements and all he says is “Yes, everthing seems to be normal adn stable…” So, we just don’t know exactly. All I know is the improvements I’ve noticeda nd other peopel have noticed by observing me through times. Even though it was disappointing, it was a learning experience. We decided not to go back to that doctor since it wasn’t helpful, and felt we didn’t get the service and care we shoudl of recieved from a doctor.
September 6th, 2009
