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Name
Mary Ann Shoemaker
Born
New Year's Eve, 1930
Home
St. George, Utah for the past 12 years.
Diagnosis
Wet MD
Eyes Affected
Both
Eye Color
Hazel
Age at Diagnosis
63
Visual Acuity
Right 20/400, Left 20/60
Treatment
Proton Eye Beam Irradiation, left eye in 1999. PDT in right
eye.
Prognosis or Current State of
Vision
Left eye stable for over two years. Still working on right eye
with three PDTs since September, 2001.
Family History
Suspect father had MD. All he knew was that he had a bleed and
lost central vision in one eye. My mother was diagnosed much later
in life with MD. Wish I could ask her now about it.
Impact on My Life
I miss sewing, reading, solving the daily crossword, driving. Loss
of independence is truly hard. I have been an advid genealogist but
have had to curtail much of my research. Fortunately, I have met
several cousins on the Internet who have graciously shared
information with me. Probably the thing I miss most is reading the
scriptures. I do listen to the audio ones but you can't underline
audio!
Positive Effects
I have learned to be more grateful for all things. I give thanks
everyday for the sight I have and for the opportunity to be an
example. I regularly get on my soapbox to get the word out about
MD. I have found most people know little, if anything, about the
disease.
Adaptations
I have enlarged everything that I can on my computer. Thankfully,
I can still read pretty good with the light the computer generates.
I am grateful that I can read newspapers online. I look up recipes
and print them out in large print I have online banking. I am very
thankful for this electronic marvel. I stay in touch with my
children and grandchildren by e-mail and instant messenger. We have
such a good time! I have placed several hand held magnifiers at
various places throughout my home. I have one that I call my handy,
dandy, lighted magnifier that I carry in my purse. This allows me
to read the hymn book. I can read most restaurant menus if they are
not too glossy. I have a wonderful new portable lamp that provides
the light I need. I also have flashlights stationed throughout the
house. I am trying to be more organized with lists and notes so
that when someone takes me to shop, etc. I don't waste their time.
My husband tries to be patient, however, he will never understand,
so he says, how women shop. We have to remember that not only the
patient but the family has to make adaptations.
More About Me
I am a second generation Californian. Most of our friends and
neighbors were dumbfounded when we retired and moved to Utah. We
love it here and we share these feelings with many other
Californians who have moved here also. My husband, Ray, and I will
celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary March 8, 2002. We have a son
and daughter. They each have two daughters. Our oldest
granddaughter made us great grandparents last year. We enjoy
traveling to Idaho and Colorado to visit our children and
grandchildren.
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