Walnut Street near Wills Eye Institute

I had an appointment at Wills Eye Institute this morning. The doctors did the usual eye tests, including testing for colour blindness, filed of vision, etc. They commented on how much better my eyes look. But I reminded them that they felt no better than before the treatments. They conceded that point but want me to look on the bright side (no pun intended). I just can't' right now.

Chronic diseases tend to sap the patients mental and physical energy. The steroids worsened the Type 1 diabetes, and it will take some time before my body adjusts back to before steroids. My hair fell out from the radiation. I don't recognise or like the face I see in the mirror. It will be months before I look like "me".

But even then, there is more work to be done. I am scheduled to meet with the orbital surgeon in September. We may have to plan for orbital surgery.

I want it all to be done. I feel like crying.

These doctor visits start at 8 AM, and often we are not done until close to lunchtime. Today we were done at 11 AM. Bhavna wanted something to drink, so we walked along Walnut Street at the Wawa. Two doors down are the SweetGreens, so we stopped in an bought a salad for lunch. I ate my Fish Taco salad in the car.

I brought my vintage Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42 film lens with me. All of the images here were shot with this lens mounted to my Fuji X-T2. I am pleasantly surprised by how well the lens performed on the Fuji X-T2. Hopefully, without sounding self-aggrandising, I think I did an excellent job operating the fully manual lens.

Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42 @ (28 mm, 0.001 sec at f/8.0, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42 @ (28 mm, 0.001 sec at f/8.0, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42 @ (28 mm, 0.000 sec at f/8.0, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42 @ (28 mm, 0.000 sec at f/8.0, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams

Sansom Street and 11th Street

This morning, I had a last-minute visit with the doctors as the Bodine Center For Radiation Therapy. When I first started treatment, I was very anxious about the facemask but Renee, Jasmin, Jeff, and Rose were patient with me and making sure I was comfortable and ready for each treatment. But it's all over now. I have a different set of problems.

Radiation treatment for my Grave's Eye Disease burned my skin at the edges of my eyes. It feels like a slightly painful sunburn. The doctors wanted to examine me to ensure it wasn't serious. Bhavna looked concerned too but she suggested that I could use aloe to help my facial skin recover.

My hair is also falling out; another side effect of radiation treatment. I have patches in my hairline. I know the hair will regrow once the follicles have recovered from the radiation but I am concerned about long term side effects.

Hearing loss may occur slowly within the first two years after treatment. Radiotherapy can lead to tinnitus, which normally decreases as the ears recover from the treatment; however, it can be permanent in some cases.

Sansom Street, Philadelphia — FujiFilm X-T2 + SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 @ (28 mm, f/5.6, ISO320)
Sansom Street, Philadelphia — FujiFilm X-T2 + SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 @ (28 mm, f/5.6, ISO320)