Torn Retina

Was looking for an experienced, top notch ophthalmologist. My friend recommend one in Manhattan. Made an appointment for my wife and myself, scheduled three months out. Asked for an earlier visit, but was informed that no openings were available. Was advised that if there would be a cancellation the office would contact me.

A month later, while in Brooklyn, ready to leave back home Thursday afternoon I received a call that there was a last minute cancelation and the the doctor was available that evening. First reaction was not to take the appointment since my wife and I needed to get back to Lakewood to help prepare for our grandson’s Bris the following morning. In the end my wife returned to Lakewood herself, while I chose for some unknown reason at the time to accept the appointment and headed to Manhattan myself. Something told me not to pass up the opportunity. Was expecting an uneventful  examination and new prescription. That was not to be. After the examination, doctor all of a sudden left the room without saying a word, returning fifteen minutes later, very concerned. Doctor informed me that serious tears in the retina were discovered, that required emergency surgery. It was scheduled for the following morning, 11:00 AM in Manhattan. I told doctor that my grandson’s Bris was scheduled to take place in Lakewood, New Jersey the following morning and this early appointment would create undo hardship. Doctor responded, I arranged for a specialized surgeon to come in to take care of you. You are at great risk of loosing sight in your eye if its not taken care of first thing tomorrow.

You can just imagine the shock. Quickly returned to Lakewood and shared the news with my family. Overnight an unexpected snowstorm broke out. In the morning the roads were full of snow. Very concerned, how would I ever arrive for the surgery on time. Right after davening, the Bris was held quickly and soon after before the seudah left with my son to Manhattan. To our surprise, the snowstorm kept everyone off the road creating a no traffic situation. A trip that regularly should have taken two hours only took an hour and fifteen minutes. Got to the Upper West Side just in time. Everything, Boruch Hashem worked out for the best. Reflecting back I said to myself, how really we are not in control, as we would like to think. Was planning on returning with my wife to Lakewood early, but that didn’t  happen. Hashem had other plans, without even consulting me first.

Imagine, if that other patient hadn’t canceled their appointment that Thursday afternoon. Imagine, what could of happened if I would have returned with my wife to Lakewood, instead of taking the last minute appointment and going to Manhattan alone. Imagine, if the doctor would not have discovered the torn retina for which ironically I had no symptoms. Imagine, if the doctor was not able to arrange a surgeon to take care of me immediately. Imagine, if the snowstorm didn’t break out Thursday night, how much everyday traffic I would have encountered.

What I thought that morning  to be an added challenge, really turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

We all go through challenges in life. While we are going through them, we do not always realize that there is a higher power orchestrating everything behind the scenes for a better end result. Sometimes we find out about it early on and sometimes only later on in life.

In this experience all the events that transpired were for the ultimate benefit, unbeknownst at the time. Everything Hashem does is for the best. We may not see it or understand it immediately while things are happening, but sooner or later Hashem reveals His plan and kindness to us, that He was behind it all.

In this situation, Hashem sent the Refuah first. Not having any idea of what was going on, Hashem was looking out for me every step of the way. How wondrous and mysterious are His ways.