I wrote these words in March 2016.
For at least two weeks, I'm going to be unable to do much work.
Friday morning I was diagnosed with a detached retina in my right eye. I'm having surgery this morning. I get to spend the next week in a constant facedown position. It will be at least two, possibly three, weeks before I can return to work.
Well, history repeats. Almost exactly.
Last Wednesday, I covered the food distribution at St. Anthony's and noticed no issue with my vision. I remember specifically looking through the viewfinder on a couple of photos and lining up how the scene was framed and didn't notice any problem with my vision. That night, I covered a candlelight service in Le Roy, and as soon as I put the viewfinder to my right eye, I knew something was wrong.
I was diagnosed with a detached retina on Friday. Today, surgery.
Again, at least two weeks of facedown recovery. I looked just now at notes to readers in 2016 and I was actually out of work for three weeks. This time, the doctor is saying a week or two of recovery. The detachment in 2016 occurred because I got hit in the eye with a basketball. This time -- it happened on its own. This time, I also got to the doctor faster and am getting treatment sooner.
In 2016, after surgery, I was told I couldn't read, no email, no websites, no books, no magazines, nothing. I haven't been told that yet, but I'm assuming I'll get the same instructions.
- The main point of contact for news is News Editor Joanne Beck, joanne@thebatavian.com
- Advertising issues/inquiries should be sent to Lisa Ace, lisa@thebatavian.com
- Issues with Deal of the Day should be directed to Kara Richenberg, kara@thebatavian.com
- Press releases and news announcements, as always, should be sent to news@thebatavian.com
Mike Pettinella will help a little more with coverage, which I greatly appreciate, but he has limited availability because of other responsibilities.
We have a big pool of freelance photographers available to help us out now -- many more than in 2016 -- but they all have full-time jobs, families, etc. I'm sure they will step up where they can, but we also encourage community groups to submit their own photos and information about events to news@thebatavian.com.
I will be turning off the scanners in my house for the duration. I don't want to feel tempted to get on the computer to post something or feel frustrated that I can't go out to cover something.
We will inevitably miss some stories. This wouldn't be as much of an issue if we had more help. We would have more help if more people would sign up for Early Access Pass. This circumstance clearly highlights why it is important for you to join Early Access Pass. To join, click here.
