I'm Able To READ AGAIN!!!
 

The book took me two days. A very long time for me.
I don't know if I've adjusted to the meds, gotten used to the pain, or both, sufficiently
But I've finally gotten my faculties back to a point to where I can concentrate, retain, focus enough to where I can maintain my train of thought and remember what I am doing well enough to read fiction again.
I cannot tell you how HUGE this is for me.
I used to read at least one or two books a day.
To lose such a large part of my life, such an enormous source of comfort, escape, such a large part of who I AM is indescribable.
Equally indescribable is having it back.
I don't know how long I have been able to read again... honestly I have been too afraid to try.
SO FUCKING HAPPY!!!!:D

Congrats rkz. I can't imagine what it would be like to not be able to read comfortably.

Lucky you mate.

yay! so what's on your "to-read" list?

I try to stay away from hyperbole like, "I'd rather die than..." but I struggle to see how I could live my life with any pleasure without being able to read.

Pleased your eyes are back to what they weren't designed for, but what the brain cries for.

rkz -- glad to hear it. For those times when you can't read with your eyes, have you tried audio books? I really enjoy these (if it's a good reader) when I'm in my car, and have recently started downloading podcasts (NPR, old-time radio, spanish lessons, etc.). If you haven't tried audio books and podcasts, you might find them to be useful for those times when your eyes aren't up to reading.

@SG -- "designed for"?

I understood - I might be wrong - that human eyes evolved primarily for distance vision - ie scanning the horizon for prey with occasional detail work. This means we are subject to headaches and eye strain in a modern environment. I have nothing to back this up - read it years ago.

SG -- I was just kidding you. I assumed you were promoting ID.

Aye aye :)

I figured it was my choice of words, but answered in good faith (pun acknowledged) for clarity.

When I was driving trucks, I would rent audio books, I would just get on down the road and enjoy. When you can't read it is a great alternative.

Talking of audio books: the Audio version of Jeff Noon's "Vurt" as read by Paul McGann is a must hear!

I get the impression from rkz, though, that the problem has been more in his ability to concentrate and therefore keep track of a plot, rather than visual impairment...I may be wrong. In which case even audio books would be no good. Horrible. Rkz, glad to hear you can indulge in books again.

Exactly, and another's interpretation is unpleasant to me.

What's not?

Way to go Rob!

cereal boxes? ;)

Bring em' on.

Congrats! Reading is always a very welcome distraction from life.

I'm glad to hear it man.

Reading is a great gift, something I am trying to instill in my nieces.

Yay for you rage! :)

Mom says when I was a kid ( and I remembered once she mentioned it) that if there were nothing else to read at breakfast I read every word on the cereal box, ingredients and all. :o

lol I used to do that.

RKZ, you have my complete empathy and congrats, as well. I too have finally been able to start reading again after a 7 year hiatus. Thank God for the brain's ability to heal itself! I am back to reading 3 or 4 books a week after not having been able to read practically anything. YAY! :)

Yay to you too!
If you want to start trading perhaps we can.

Me too, because I wasn't allowed to read at the table (it made me mad that in later years, my brother was allowed to have the TV on in the kitchen.

I remember Julie Burchill wrote something like, "People boast they would read anything, even cereal boxes - I always think WHY? When there is so much out there to read?" I thought - you silly bint, you have so missed the point. Meh - par for the course with La Burchill.