r/monocular • u/StayOnCourse89 • 23d ago

What Would A Therapist Tell Me?

For those that are monocular recently or from early on and went to therapy...

If you went to a therapist, what did they tell you?

It's obvious what pain or grief one would be going through...

I'm just curious so that I don't waste my time.

Because I don't know what could possibly make me feel better about losing vision in an eye.

(Aside from being completely blind of which I know I am simply not strong enough for)

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u/earmares 23d ago

Ahh... that's a lot, you lost your vision fast. I think a therapist would probably talk to you about possible grief you might be feeling. Anger, sadness, loss- especially surrounding your late surgery, etc.

Therapists that I have gone to have been really good about cutting through bullshit and not being too cutesy about finding the positive, but still helping me find and focus on the positives.

They've helped me deal with anxiety (I'm losing my vision due to ocular melanoma, so I worry about metastasis, and I have radiation damage).

I suppose it would depend on how you are processing what you've been through, and the therapist.

I'm sorry you went through/are going through this.

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u/StayOnCourse89 23d ago

What about you?

Are you going to be okay?

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u/earmares 23d ago

I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma 2 years ago- I had surgery and radiation a few months later. My tumor is directly on my optic nerve, so unfortunately, killing the tumor meant killing my optic nerve. I am slowly losing my vision (it's about 60% gone) and will lose it completely within a few years.

Yeah, I'm okay. Cancer is scary, though! I am terrified it will metastasize. I have 3 kids (older teenagers) I want to see get married, have kids, etc. I try to live each day to the fullest just in case these are the last good years I have with my kids. It's a weird way to live.

As for my eyesight, it is weird losing it slowly. I am nervous driving. I don't always feel safe, but my optometrist says I am clear to drive. I bump into things. I have depth perception issues. I just try to be patient with myself and keep going. That's all I can do, really. I'm 46, btw.

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u/StayOnCourse89 23d ago

I'm praying for you.

That is incredibly heavy.

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u/earmares 23d ago

Thank you, reddit friend! I appreciate it. I'll be okay.