[This is my second post of two in my “Vintage Wednesday” series on “Cows or Tombstones” re-written/updated from a blogpost back in May of 2011.]

In my first post I mentioned I would tell you about my experience with LASIK eye surgery. After getting tested by the professionals at Joffe, I was informed that I was not a candidate for standard LASIK. Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) was recommended instead. It involved a gentle scraping of some surface cells off the cornea and then using a laser beam to re-shape it. I was told that recovery would take longer and that there would be several days of discomfort. 

It took just three minutes on the operating table. Blurred vision and the smell of burning flesh lasted only for seconds. Imagine my surprise at being able to read the clock on the wall immediately after surgery. That was something I hadn’t been able to do for thirty years! The first evening was very unpleasant as my eyes were on fire! Painkillers and other meds helped me fall asleep. By morning I was much better and actually drove the hour and a half trip home. A week later my vision was at 20/25 with “bandage contacts.” Those were taken out during my second check-up and my vision regressed for several days following. After that my vision improved almost on a daily basis. 

Today I have my vision back—I've felt that my outcomes with eye surgery have almost bordered on the miraculous! Never again will I mistake tombstones for cows! 

Here's some key points as I wrap up this two-part series:

1. Sometimes correcting our vision takes time. Depending how bad our condition or how long we've walked down the wrong path, it may be a journey finding our way "back." I had the experts at Joffe, friends in Louisville, and a supportive wife and children help me through the process. Find gracious and positive people to help with your vision.
2. I experienced pain and periods of regression during the healing process. Proverbs 24:16a points out that, "…though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again". So don't beat yourself up when you lose your way; forgive yourself and get back in step with those who are on the right path.

I've put together a FREE resource that helps you with your vision of the future. Check out PURPOSE: A Free Mini Course on Defining the Direction of Your Life.