The word tincture is one of those old-fashioned words that you hardly ever hear just slipping off someone’s tongue to find its way into modern, everyday conversation. So, when my eye surgeon at the Wilmer Eye Institute addressed my disappointment over what seemed to me an unsuccessful surgery on my left eye with, “Sometimes, doctors and patients only have the tincture of time,” I found myself screaming inside my head. I’m not gonna lie; I had to ask Dr. Kaleem for clarification, and afterward, I sought the help of a dictionary.
Loosely interpreted, the “tincture of time” is the medicine that only time, patiently relied on, can deliver. Dr. Kaleem delivered this prescription, and I reluctantly received it. I am no different from other patients who want a positive and permanent outcome…after all, I had followed doctor’s orders!!!
My doctor is brave and talented, and I was brave and insightful enough to entrust my eyesight to her. An unlikely bond is forged when someone is about to cut your eye….not once, but twice, for procedures to kick nasty glaucoma’s butt. Glaucoma is not comely or kind. It is a silent thief that steals from its unknowing victims. It can be unrelenting, and if left untreated, can totally take one’s sight. Glaucoma does not discriminate and pursues the very young as well the very old. It can be hereditary as well as find its cause in a host of other ways. And guess what…there are different types of it…open angle and closed angle…one more dangerous than the other. ( I, of course, have the worst type.) Once you have it, you have it. It can, however, be controlled, but sometimes it cannot be compelled. Some is know about glaucoma, but even more is unknown. There is no cure, but treatment does exist, and the folks at the Wilmer ( one of the best eye clinics in the country) know what they are doing and try very hard to help those seeking their care. The big deal is to get eye pressures under control. Many of you may know what your eye pressures are, and, yes, pressures differ from person to person…and even from eye to eye. This Unseasoned Traveler had controlled pressures for a decade and a half…and then suddenly last winter, the disease got the upper hand. From the photo below, you can tell that I finally found my way to the Wilmer and into the operating room….like I said, “Glaucoma ain’t pretty.”
But sometimes, the Grace of God and the Tincture of Time align for a happy moment. This is where I find myself, my here and now. This happy moment is powerful enough to make me return to my blog and to fuel said blog with an exotic junket to Istanbul and a revisit junket to places I hold dear. Armed with my excellent eye pressures of 11 and 10 and some effective eye drops, I am off to see some “stuff” and to reaffirm that even in this world’s difficult conditions, we are more alike than we are different. Look for me to pop up soon.
Love …The Unseasoned Traveler
Jackie's Junkets 
Have a wonderful and safe trip!!!
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Thanks, Cathy…..what should I pack????? LOL
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Girlfriend, looking forward to your posts!
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Thanks, Val….getting excited
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Hi, Jackie! So great to hear from you. I hope all this resolves in a good way. Have a great trip. I sent you a separate email as well. Ellen B.
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Wishing all the best on your vision journey. Thankful today of all the resources available as compared to when my father went blind from glaucoma. No longer does my brother in law require the daily drops as earlier this year he had surgery that eliminated them. The pressure in the eye is key. On Wednesday if my cough subsides I will have my second cataract surgery and pray that I will have better vision and possibly night vision improvement as well. Take care and I pray you will continue to have the opportunity to see life around you and more adventures. Love, Grace
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Thanks, Grace…..now, if I could get my bag packed!!!!
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Thank you so much for sharing this life journey. I am beyond happy that your sight, and most importantly eye pressure are good. Be safe and careful; the world( people)— everywhere— is/are unpredictable. But, I am so happy that you are not being stymied by the craziness that swirls around us. I will be on the lookout for your “pop ups.”
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What a blessing to hear from you after such a long silence. My prayers will follow you wherever you travel. I am looking forward to your rich and insightful posts. Much love, me
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Thanks for commenting….yours is the sixth one….yes, the blog was “dark” for a long time, and I almost gave it up for good as I feared I had lost my voice….and I still wonder if going live is wise….we shall see….but….to you a sincere thank you….j
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thanks Jackie! ________________________________
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Greetings, Gary….thanks for commenting….it is greatly appreciated…..j
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The amazing, unflappable Miss Jackie is back and ready to once again open her arms to the beckoning East. Best of luck in your travels to Istanbul and beyond. Enjoy!!!
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Hi, Leslie…Hi to Alan as well….thanks for the send-off….and see you on the blog!!!! j.
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Hello Jackie! Always wonderful to get your posts, even when they’re serious and about dealing with challenges. Marcia often says, “The only way through it, is through it.” I think that’s a good approach, and am glad to hear you are doing what you need to do, have excellent care, and are actively making plans for your future. Bravo!
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Greetings, David, I wish I could see you ordering your lunch and a glass of wine at that little restaurant by the Duomo….remember that day???? I am planning to be there in about two weeks, and I will blow a kiss for you….I always love hearing from you….j
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To my BRAVE sistah cousin….LOVE YA!
Best of health & safe travels!
From your Smithsonian Journeys traveling cousin,
Laura✈️😎
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To My Favorite World Explorer….thanks for you kind words…all of life is a journey…right!!!!????
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YOU BET IT IS🥰🙌🏼❤️!
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LOVE your writing Glad you are doing well and can’t wait to see youJanet
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Is that you on the picture?
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The time is not right. It shows November 2, 2023 — 6:54 pm
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