It is I Chris Catt Enabled Entrepreneur and as the Compare the Market adverts, say I am feeling epic.
I am also facing a decision which could have a significant impact upon the rest of my life.
But first….
This coming Saturday, 5th December, I am attending The International Coaching Academy Awards 2015. Not because I just bought a ticket and wanted to be amongst other like minded people.
No… Because guess what!
I have been shortlisted for…. The Coaching for a Cause Award 2015
This is a black tie event, so I now have a black tie!
I was nominated by a long standing client from the Plymouth Music Zone. Now let me tell you about this exceptional community focused charity. Working with you guys is what it should be, I feel so welcome and look forward to my regular catch-ups before getting down to some serious work. If you are still reading this post, I would like to know if you also have a customer who gives as much back to you as you are there to give to them? Be honest.
I have practiced my speech and victory dance and also how I will handle the disappointment if I don’t win. That’s easy, congratulations to whoever wins.
So this brings me on to my other piece of news. I am now a full member of the Association of Coaching. Now to many reading this, you may be wondering what difference this will make to me. I am a strong believer in being part of a profession. I don’t do things by halves and because of this, I don’t work with people who do not want to really make a difference in their lives. This is why my first bit of news means so much to me, the customer nominated me because of the tangible results that they have achieved using Business EQ and coaching. No touchy feely Guardian reading, sandal wearing stuff from me, I promise you.
So back to this big decision….
I was not sure whether to share this with you, but a recent post I read on the BBC website changed my mind and I just felt so inspired; I changed my mind. If you have not read this, you can do so here.
It may also be worth your while reading the About Me page on my website.
A few years ago I found out that I had a cataract on my good left eye. Its not really good, but it is the only one I can see with. The Ophthalmologists at Torbay have explained that due to the retinopathy a the back of the eye (scaring of the retina), I am much more likely to have post-operative complications than most other patients who require cataract removal. Put simply, a raising of pressure in the eye as a result of surgery or subsequent infection could lead to a retinal detachment.
We agreed that I should go to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London as they will have undoubtedly had much more experience in undertaking cataract removal with medical retina issues. The 22nd of December is ground hog day.
I did some digging around on the internet including reading detailed research papers from around the world and now realise that there are a number of potential issues that could arise, but also an equal number of different ways that my cataract removal outcome could be made to be a complete success. One thing that did annoy me a great deal was how certain newspapers such as the Daily Mail presented ground breaking new cures for sight loss, but failed to mention, the complications that the same research revealed. For example, just have laser treatment to remove the cataract. Less chance of infection, but it was found that in these early trials, the laser heats up the back of the eye causing more long term damage.
So what about the reason that makes this decision so difficult?
To date, I have been led to believe that if my cataract is not removed, I will go completely blind. I don’t know how long this would take, but I have already notice massive changes in what I can see and how I feel about what I can see. The Ophthalmologist at Torbay stated that my cataract was now at the optimum stage of its development where surgery would normally be recommended. He went on to explain that the risks of complications will continue to increase the longer its removal is delayed. During my most recent eye examination, it was noted that the lens in my eye was unusually thick. This gave me cause for optimism. If the risks can be significantly reduced by the expertise available at Moorfields, perhaps having a normal thickness artificial lens may mean that more light reaches the retina and yes, Toad will be able to drive!
I also have much darker thoughts about it all going wrong and waking up to find that I have no perception of light through the bandage that will have been placed over my eye. My daughter suggested that they may close the eye lids after the operation, so I wont know until the bandage is removed. I tell myself that the issue is really about trying to save my sight before it is too late. If you are going to lose it anyway, it is only bringing the inevitable forward that I would have to face if I did nothing.
I don’t want a blue guide dog….
I have a joke with my family that if it all goes not to plan and I end up seeing nothing, that I don’t want a blue dog. Green is my favourite colour, but I am not aware of any breed of dog that is that colour. I think that what I am really indicating here is that I fear losing my independence and worry about what changes I will have to make and whether I will still be me.
So, I could be presented with extremely poor odds that the surgery will be successful. I have read research where the complications rose from being below 1% for most people in the population to above 50% for patients with retinal weaknesses. But, if I don nothing what I fear might happen will happen.
What a big decision just before Christmas.
Kind regards
Chris Catt Enabled Entrepreneur