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Dan Crenshaw A Republican Representative of Texas revealed that he would be will be taking some time off to salvage what vision he has left, according to The Western Journal.
Crenshaw, a former Navy Seal faces some hard weeks ahead but remains very optimistic.
“A few days ago, I noticed some dark, blurry spots in my vision, which seemed out of the ordinary,” Crenshawrevealed via Twitter.
“I went to get this checked out by an ophthalmologist on Thursday and they discovered that my retina was detaching.”
“This is a terrifying prognosis for someone with one eye, and the nature of the injuries that I sustained in Afghanistan.”
“Anyone who knows the history of my injuries knows that I don’t have a ‘good eye,’ but half a good eye.”
“The blast from 2012 caused a cataract, extensive tissue damage, and extensive damage to my retina.”
“It was always a possibility that the effects of the damage to my retina would resurface, and it appears that is exactly what has happened.”
“The prognosis I received on Thursday is obviously very bad.”
Crenshaw’s wife, Tara Crenshaw, transported the war veteran to the hospital in Houston for emergency surgery.
Crenshaw says that Tara “was by [his] side the entire time.”
Crenshaw shared information regarding his expected recovery process.
“The surgery went well, but I will be effectively blind for about a month.”
“I want to especially thank the phenomenal team of doctors and nurses at the VA who took such good care of me.
“During the surgery, they put a gas bubble in my eye, which acts as a bandage for my retina.”
“This means I have to be face-down for the next week or so, unable to see anything.”
“This is why you’re not going to hear from me for a while.”
“I likely will not be conducting interviews and likely will not be posting on social media, except to give updates on my health and recovery.”
“I have gotten through worse before, and I will get through this.”
“I’ve got Tara by my side, and we are here in Houston with plenty of support.”
“A few prayers that my vision will get back to normal and that I will make a full recovery wouldn’t hurt, though, and would be much appreciated.”
“On Dan’s third deployment in 2012, his life changed forever.”
“After six months of combat operations, he was hit by an IED blast during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan.”
“He was evacuated and awoke from his medically induced coma learning that his right eye had been destroyed in the blast and his left eye was badly damaged.”
“Dan was completely blind and the doctors did not believe he would ever see again.”
“Tara stood by him every day and night, keeping faith and praying he would see again.”
“After several difficult surgeries and months of fighting a tough diagnosis, Dan eventually regained sight in his left eye, a miracle according to the head surgeon.”
“Dan refused to quit and went on to deploy twice more, first back to the Middle East in 2014 and then South Korea in 2016.”
From The Western Journal:
Crenshaw said he will update his constituents on his condition but otherwise lay low.
Crenshaw put a bold face on his prognosis.
