@ashby1947 and all...It's so good to hear from you! I'm 76 and didn't 'do all things right' but was quite active playing tennis and swimming, working too hard, raising my son, caring for my mother, owning a business...Living with the challenges thrown my way by my body.

Anyway, I think one of the most important lessons I've learned over the last several years dealing with a plethora of health challenges, most of them unusual or overlapping, definitely out of my control, is acceptance. I do enjoy having my life organized and must feel in control of at least something! But, this last decade has felt like all things discombobulated all at once...my health was out of control, my fiance died in a car accident, my living plans changed, and my condo renovations had to stop mid-stream due to health issues so I've been living in a partially renovated home for several years.

Wow! I have bathroom vanities and tile, flooring, an electric stairchair waiting to be installed, and extra furniture I'm keeping all stored in a 3rd bedroom awaiting my body to be strong enough to handle the work. I complete one thing and end up in the hospital or holed up in my bedroom recuperating. So, I turned my bedroom into my own special retreat, using my favorite colors, out of the norm, and enjoy my time spent there now. I added a few kitchen things upstairs in another bedroom-small fridge, microwave, coffee maker, utensils, and goodies-so I can sustain myself upstairs when the 14 stairs are too much. I accepted the need for some change, and so did it and I love my little hideaway looking out the windows into a big, live oak tree and Spanish moss. This was one way I took back some control of my circumstances.

Sue, I'm so sorry you've had such sight issues. That is a completely different level of loss as it affects every part of your life. I've experienced some of your issues at different times, but still am able to drive and enjoy nature, my bird feeders, and such. I occasionally walk into things, usually due to balance or walking issues rather than sight.

The double vision began over 15 years ago. It's usually side-by-side, on 2 different levels, as if I'm seeing everything off-center in 2's. It can be debilitating. I sometimes shut one eye and can see normally though it upsets my peripheral vision and depth perception. So, if it hits me while driving, I take the one-eye precaution and make the changes necessary. The diplopia comes and goes on its own timeframe. I never know when. After treating me for Myasthenia Gravis believing that the cause of diplopia, balance, and walking issues, it was found I don't have MG. Now, we think it's from severe dry eye issues. I have a prescription for Prism glasses but have avoided getting them. I just don't want to wear glasses again until I must, after wearing them all my life. It's been lovely to wake up and see...but now I wake up and see a double life.

Are you using any walking aids? I used a cane for many years for balance and security. After heart failure in 2019, I was required to use a walker to get out of rehab...I now have a hot pink walker with a black and white zebra seat and bag. I love it! My agreement was to use the walker if it was blingy and reflected my personality. I use it to walk between the buildings at Mayo Florida when I'm up to the walking. I visit the gift shop, get some food goodies to take home, and make it a bit of a junket each time I go. Naturally, there are many times I'm not physically up to this walking, but when I can, I do. And, I enjoy the Brooks therapy pool 2x weekly for muscle/bone/emotional relaxation and strengthening. It's a dream!

My U-Tube fun is with Nikol Johnson. She's a New York make-up artist, model, and a lovely person as far as I can tell. She also has a line of make-up. She illustrates her tutorials using her make-up but also uses many other brands, including drug store brands, comparing and giving yeas and nays. I found good advice from her that's improved my makeup and overall look. She has great information to care for gray hair and its special needs. I found her by mistake and she lifted my spirits and, got me back into thinking about fun things like make-up and looking better. It's really fun.

I hope some of these things are positive for you and you get the pleasure from Nikol's videos as I do. It's a fun step back into the world when we were active with friends, etc. Good for the mind, body and spirit.

Blessings, Sue. Elizabeth