Fraser River, BC (photo from trekearth.com)
Restoration Why Later
I had the vitrectomy and lens replacement please see section D of post above.
June 21, 2012
http://satireandtheology.blogspot.com/2007/11/busted-unlike-beckham.html
I had the vitrectomy and lens replacement please see section D of post above.
June 21, 2012
Vitreous Floaters update
In my August archives one can find my article entitled ‘Vitreous Floaters’. My floaters have nothing to do with cancer.
http://www.diseasesdatabase.com/umlsdef.asp?glngUserChoice=31270
Vitreous floaters:
"A blurry spot that appears to float around in the eye but does not block vision. The blur is the result of debris from the vitreous humour casting a shadow on the retina."Source: National Cancer Institute Thesaurus, 2006_03D
Vitreous floaters:
"Floaters; spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor or lens."
Source: National Cancer Institute Thesaurus, 2006_03D
I have visited several eye surgeons here in the Lower Mainland (Greater Vancouver) and my local surgeon/ophthalmologist provided the reference in order that I could go ahead and pursue a vitrectomy from a surgeon in Vancouver, as my local surgeon/ophthalmologist does not perform a vitrectomy.
http://www.stlukeseye.com/Surgical/Vitrectomy.asp
Vitrectomy
Overview
The vitreous is a normally clear, gel-like substance that fills the center of the eye. It makes up approximately 2/3 of the eye's volume, giving it form and shape before birth. Certain problems affecting the back of the eye may require a vitrectomy, or surgical removal of the vitreous. After a vitrectomy, the vitreous is replaced as the eye secretes aqueous and nutritive fluids.
A vitrectomy may be performed to clear blood and debris from the eye, to remove scar tissue, or to alleviate traction on the retina. Blood, inflammatory cells, debris, and scar tissue obscure light as it passes through the eye to the retina, resulting in blurred vision. The vitreous is also removed if it is pulling or tugging the retina from its normal position.
I visited with the surgeon in Vancouver and he stated that there was a 5-10% chance of retinal detachment from a vitrectomy since I have an amblyopic (weak eye) right eye. Retinal detachment is defined below.
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/retinaldetach/index.asp
What is retinal detachment?The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. When the retina detaches, it is lifted or pulled from its normal position. If not promptly treated, retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss.
In some cases there may be small areas of the retina that are torn. These areas, called retinal tears or retinal breaks, can lead to retinal detachment.
Since there is significant chance of detachment by a medical definition, I was asked to get a second opinion from the surgeon across the hall in the Vancouver office. I went yesterday and this slightly more experienced surgeon/ophthalmologist stated there was a 15% chance of a retinal detachment since my right eye, which has the more serious floaters, is amblyopic. This doctor stated that 95% of the time a retinal detachment can be fixed, but I know that things are always different after a surgery, and the eye would not be exactly like it was prior to having floaters. He stated categorically, unlike any of the other surgeons I have visited, that the floaters in both eyes will all eventually sink below my line of sight. I had read that floaters can sink below the line of sight, and he agreed with my suggestion that in ten years that floaters would not be seen anymore. He stated that the vitreous jell shrinks and the floaters will therefore sink below my sight line, in particular in my myopic (near sighted), amblyopic (weak eye) sooner than in my 20 vision left eye. The right eye has by far more floaters, and previously had a large clump in it, which was destroyed by Dr. Scott Geller in Fort Myers, Florida with a YAG laser.
http://www.vitreousfloaters.com/
If this doctor with the second opinion is correct, I am seriously considering holding off on surgeries and I will continue to wear dark sun glasses as I work on the computer (now) and when I am outside, which I do because of light sensitivity anyway. I can see over the next year or so if things improve. There is another consideration as a vitrectomy leads to a cataract, which is a clouding of the lens. A lens replacement with my myopic, amblyopic eye is possible, but the question is how much increased or decreased double vision will there be with a new lens. I will visit the cataract surgeon soon.
PhD update
I received good news today. I was without an academic advisor for 8-9 months, as my original advisor changed jobs. Today, Wales sent me a letter stating that I received a 12 month extension from the last day of this year. This is excellent as I now probably have three months work to do in thirteen months, but trust me I am going to try hard to get it done in three months.
I would be interested in reading comments and entering discussion, in regard to the chart below. But of course feel free to comment on other blog related topics.
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/christianity_judaism.htm
In my August archives one can find my article entitled ‘Vitreous Floaters’. My floaters have nothing to do with cancer.
http://www.diseasesdatabase.com/umlsdef.asp?glngUserChoice=31270
Vitreous floaters:
"A blurry spot that appears to float around in the eye but does not block vision. The blur is the result of debris from the vitreous humour casting a shadow on the retina."Source: National Cancer Institute Thesaurus, 2006_03D
Vitreous floaters:
"Floaters; spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor or lens."
Source: National Cancer Institute Thesaurus, 2006_03D
I have visited several eye surgeons here in the Lower Mainland (Greater Vancouver) and my local surgeon/ophthalmologist provided the reference in order that I could go ahead and pursue a vitrectomy from a surgeon in Vancouver, as my local surgeon/ophthalmologist does not perform a vitrectomy.
http://www.stlukeseye.com/Surgical/Vitrectomy.asp
Vitrectomy
Overview
The vitreous is a normally clear, gel-like substance that fills the center of the eye. It makes up approximately 2/3 of the eye's volume, giving it form and shape before birth. Certain problems affecting the back of the eye may require a vitrectomy, or surgical removal of the vitreous. After a vitrectomy, the vitreous is replaced as the eye secretes aqueous and nutritive fluids.
A vitrectomy may be performed to clear blood and debris from the eye, to remove scar tissue, or to alleviate traction on the retina. Blood, inflammatory cells, debris, and scar tissue obscure light as it passes through the eye to the retina, resulting in blurred vision. The vitreous is also removed if it is pulling or tugging the retina from its normal position.
I visited with the surgeon in Vancouver and he stated that there was a 5-10% chance of retinal detachment from a vitrectomy since I have an amblyopic (weak eye) right eye. Retinal detachment is defined below.
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/retinaldetach/index.asp
What is retinal detachment?The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. When the retina detaches, it is lifted or pulled from its normal position. If not promptly treated, retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss.
In some cases there may be small areas of the retina that are torn. These areas, called retinal tears or retinal breaks, can lead to retinal detachment.
Since there is significant chance of detachment by a medical definition, I was asked to get a second opinion from the surgeon across the hall in the Vancouver office. I went yesterday and this slightly more experienced surgeon/ophthalmologist stated there was a 15% chance of a retinal detachment since my right eye, which has the more serious floaters, is amblyopic. This doctor stated that 95% of the time a retinal detachment can be fixed, but I know that things are always different after a surgery, and the eye would not be exactly like it was prior to having floaters. He stated categorically, unlike any of the other surgeons I have visited, that the floaters in both eyes will all eventually sink below my line of sight. I had read that floaters can sink below the line of sight, and he agreed with my suggestion that in ten years that floaters would not be seen anymore. He stated that the vitreous jell shrinks and the floaters will therefore sink below my sight line, in particular in my myopic (near sighted), amblyopic (weak eye) sooner than in my 20 vision left eye. The right eye has by far more floaters, and previously had a large clump in it, which was destroyed by Dr. Scott Geller in Fort Myers, Florida with a YAG laser.
http://www.vitreousfloaters.com/
If this doctor with the second opinion is correct, I am seriously considering holding off on surgeries and I will continue to wear dark sun glasses as I work on the computer (now) and when I am outside, which I do because of light sensitivity anyway. I can see over the next year or so if things improve. There is another consideration as a vitrectomy leads to a cataract, which is a clouding of the lens. A lens replacement with my myopic, amblyopic eye is possible, but the question is how much increased or decreased double vision will there be with a new lens. I will visit the cataract surgeon soon.
PhD update
I received good news today. I was without an academic advisor for 8-9 months, as my original advisor changed jobs. Today, Wales sent me a letter stating that I received a 12 month extension from the last day of this year. This is excellent as I now probably have three months work to do in thirteen months, but trust me I am going to try hard to get it done in three months.
I would be interested in reading comments and entering discussion, in regard to the chart below. But of course feel free to comment on other blog related topics.
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/christianity_judaism.htm
| History & Stats |
Christianity
|
Judaism
|
| date founded |
c. 30 AD
|
c. 1300 BC
|
| place founded |
Palestine
|
Palestine
|
| founders & early leaders |
Jesus, Peter, Paul
|
Abraham, Moses
|
| original languages |
Aramaic and Greek
|
Hebrew
|
| major location today |
Europe, North and South America
|
Europe, Israel, North America
|
| adherents worldwide today |
2 billion
|
14 million
|
| adherents in USA |
159 million
|
5.6 million
|
| adherents in Canada |
21 million
|
350,000
|
| adherents in UK |
51 million
|
320,000
|
| current size rank |
largest
|
12th largest
|
| major branches |
Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant
|
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform
|
| Religious Authority |
Christianity
|
Judaism
|
| sacred text |
Bible = Old Testament (Jewish Bible) + New Testament
|
Tanakh (Jewish Bible)
|
| inspiration of sacred text |
views vary: literal word of God, inspired human accounts, or of human origin only
|
views vary: inspired human accounts or of human origin only
|
| status of biblical prophets |
true prophets
|
true prophets
|
| status of Jewish Bible |
canonical
|
canonical
|
| status of Jewish Apocrypha |
canonical (Catholic);
useful but noncanonical (Protestant) |
noncanonical but useful
|
| status of New Testament |
canonical
|
noncanonical, not useful
|
| other written authority |
church fathers, church councils, ecumenical creeds (all branches);
papal decrees, canon law (Catholic) |
Talmud, halakhah
|
| modern human authorities |
pope (Catholic);
each Christian with aid of Holy Spirit (Protestant) |
rabbis
|
| summaries of doctrine |
Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed
|
13 Articles of Faith
|
| Beliefs & Doctrine |
Christianity
|
Judaism
|
| ultimate reality |
one God, Jehovah, the God of Abraham
|
one God, Jehovah, the God of Abraham
|
| nature of God |
Trinity - one substance, three persons
|
unity - one substance, one person
|
| other spiritual beings |
angels and demons
|
angels and demons
|
| revered humans |
saints, church fathers
|
prophets
|
| identity of Jesus |
Son of God, God incarnate, savior of the world
|
false prophet
|
| birth of Jesus |
virgin birth
|
normal birth
|
| death of Jesus |
death by crucifixion
|
death by crucifixion
|
| resurrection of Jesus |
affirmed
|
denied
|
| second coming of Jesus |
affirmed
|
denied
|
| divine revelation |
through Prophets and Jesus (as God Himself), recorded in Bible
|
through Prophets, recorded in Bible
|
| human nature |
"original sin" inherited from Adam - tendency towards evil
|
two equal impulses, one good and one bad
|
| means of salvation |
correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (some Protestants emphasize faith alone)
|
belief in God, good deeds
|
| God's role in salvation |
predestination, various forms of grace
|
divine revelation and forgiveness
|
| good afterlife |
eternal heaven
|
views vary: either heaven or no afterlife
|
| bad afterlife |
eternal hell, temporary purgatory (Catholicism)
|
views vary: either eternal Gehenna, reincarnation, or no afterlife
|
| view of the other religion |
Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation.
|
Christianity is a false interpretation of Judaism.
|
| Rituals & Practices |
Christianity
|
Judaism
|
| house of worship |
church, chapel, cathedral, basilica, meeting hall
|
synagogue, temple, schul
|
| religious leaders |
priest, bishop, archbishop, patriarch, pope, pastor, minister, preacher, deacon
|
rabbi, rebbe
|
| sacred rituals |
sacraments
|
mitzvot (commandments)
|
| major sacred rituals |
baptism, communion (Eucharist)
|
observing Sabbath, wearing tallit and tefilin, prayer services
|
| head covered during prayer? |
generally no
|
generally yes (especially men)
|
| central religious holy days |
Lent, Holy Week, Easter
|
Yom Kippur, Days of Awe, Passover
|
| other holidays |
Christmas, saints days
|
Chanukah, Purim
|
| major symbols |
cross, crucifix, dove, anchor, fish, alpha and omega, chi rho, halo
|
Star of David, chai, hamsa, tree
|
http://satireandtheology.blogspot.com/2007/11/busted-unlike-beckham.html
You had said, in a comment you left on a post on my blog, the following:
ReplyDelete"Going for a classic name...none of these soap opera names, eh.
Cheers:)"
..... To which I say, Thanks! I totally agree with you.
Moving on, I'm happy to hear that you finally have an advisor. Good luck with your dissertation!!!!
Later, Take care,
JME
Thanks Jimmy.
ReplyDeleteThe new advisor has been quite helpful.
Russ:)
I do not have the knowledge that you have, but I have often wondered just why the Jewish people failed to believe there could be a Son of God, and this Son of God could be "man" sent to live among the people to teach, preach and heal the sick. Did they not believe John the Baptist as in Matthew 3:11-12: "With water I baptise those who repent of their sins; but someone else is coming, far greater than I am, so great that I am not worthy to carry his shoes! He shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He will separate the chaff from the grain, burning the chaff with never ending fire, and storing away the grain." According to your chart the Jews did not believe in the Trinity, and therefore could not accept the fact that Jesus could possibly be descendent from God the Father. There are many similarities in Christianity and Judaism, but even to this day the Jews have not accepted the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, they have considered him only to be a profit who was crucified, but not that he rose from the dead after the third day. Please explain to me where I can find Scripture that relates to the reasoning of the Jewish paople at that time, causing this great division between the Jews and the Christians.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you have been given an extension in time to complete your dissertation, and I do believe that you will successfully complete it much sooner.
Thanks for the insights.
ReplyDeleteThe Gospels and Acts explain the story of how many within the Jewish community, and the leaders of Jewish faiths rejected Christ as the Messiah. Matthew 28 explains the reaction of Jewish leaders to the empty tomb. Acts 4 describes how the Jewish leaders dealt with the growth of the gospel in the early days after the resurrection.
I am not a linguist, but a study of Scripture shows that the newer New Testament is at least as historically reliable and accurate as the older Hebrew Bible. I therefore think that much of the Jewish rejection of Christianity is not because of weaknesses within the New Testament, but is due to a failure to recognize progressive revelation, that does not contradict the Hebrew Bible, but further explains the deeper meanings of the older text.
I want to add here that any anti-Jewish attitudes from persons who call themselves Christians, is not Biblical, and not of God. Both Jews and Gentiles (Romans) were involved in the crucifixion of Christ, and both Jews and Gentiles can be among those in Christ (Romans 11).
Very interesting table Russ.
ReplyDeleteNever rally looked at the whole deal so logically so well done.
I will be praying that your eye condition improves for you.
Russell.
Thanks, Russell.
ReplyDeleteReligionfacts.com does some quite interesting charts, but it is a pain trying to get them to fit in this blog format!;) I really appreciate the prayers.
Are these different to what folks term as "floating mice" ? I tend to term mine floating elephants, as they can be constant and quite large, at least to what they should be. But same as you, cancer is not the cause, but liver disease is likely the cause in my case. but not sure you are speaking of the same thing?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deejay.
ReplyDeleteWhat I had was a Posterior Vitreous Detachment in both eyes.
From:
PVD
Also referred to as:
Vitreous Separation
As we age, the vitreous humor of the eye tends to contract, or shrink, and eventually separates from the retina. This is known as a posterior vitreous separation. The condition is extremely common by the eighth or ninth decade of life, and is known to occur at an earlier age in highly myopic (nearsighted) individuals. In general, posterior vitreous separation is innocuous, though many patients will experience the development of floaters, which are harmless, but nevertheless annoying. A small percentage of patients will develop a retinal tear or hole when the posterior vitreous separation occurs, and this may lead to retinal detachment.
When a patient presents with a new floater, ophthalmologists typically recommend a dilated eye examination to rule-out a retinal hole, tear, or detachment. At this time, the posterior vitreous separation can usually be identified. If no other abnormalities are present, the patient can rest assured that the risk of visual loss is extremely low. Patients are usually cautioned, however, that they should return if they experience flashes of light, many new floaters, or a curtain-like loss of vision. These latter symptoms may be present with a retinal hole, tear, or detachment. Otherwise, the patient may be routinely evaluated at a later date, or not at all, depending on the circumstances. The floaters, which are often large and distracting at first, fortunately tend to "settle" to the bottom of the eye, thus relieving the annoyance. This often takes weeks or months, however.