What was something small you went to the doctor for that turned out to be very significant?

 

What was something small you went to the doctor for that turned out to be very significant?

A few weeks before my nineteenth birthday, I was sitting to the right of my mom. When I went to look at her, she pointed out that my left eye did not track with my right eye, which made it look like I had a lazy eye.

After we all laughed it off the following day (as it really did seem quite ridiculous), my mom scheduled a visit with a neuro-opthalmologist. We went in on a busy Saturday, and after looking at my eye, he asked to schedule another appointment for a time when he could devote more time to me and the necessary testing.

My mother and I visited his other office around two weeks later, and he looked at my eye. When he inquired whether I had recently seen double, I realized that I had. He then went on to discuss the potential causes of the eye, which he identified as sixth cranial nerve palsy: an infection or, in extremely rare circumstances, a brain tumor. He requested blood work, a head MRI, and a chest x-ray.

The chest x-ray and blood tests went smoothly, and nothing was discovered. My mother remained upbeat before my MRI, but I just felt that the diagnosis would be more serious than a minor virus. My mother and I had lunch together after the MRI and were feeling really happy.

When I was first diagnosed, I was a freshman in college; this year, I will be a junior. I'm a psychology and music major who also plays in the theater, choirs, and student life team at my institution. My long-term goals include earning a master's degree in mental health counseling and working as a therapist for young adults and adolescents with cancer, uncommon diseases, and disabilities. In addition, I would want to do a professional performance in the symphony orchestra and choir of my city and possibly even try out for America's Got Talent.

I give thanks to God for everything he has done for me.