Sarasota's architecture

I like Modern, but love ancient.

An early Mediterranean Revival home on Okobee Drive.

Diagonostic Center

Yesterday, early evening, I was referred for three more MRI's.  This time around, a two and a half hour procedure with two more brain scans and an additional neck with upper chest area view.  With a  different focus, the sounds of the 'magnetom' equipment seemed sharper, more precise, while now looking for that disruptive pressure point located somewhere along an optic nerve.

And this time - no photos from me.  Just the knowledge that my molecules were once again, being pushed around.  And oddly before leaving, with my first sip of water, I experienced a totally unique taste. Difficult to describe. Should have at least photographed that cup of plain water left sitting there.

Well this morning, I woke up feeling disorientated, sluggish, as if I'd been on a drinking binge. Last night, before leaving the Center, I had asked the "technologist" about any possible cumulative effects after having 5 MRI's within several weeks.  He did his best to reassure me - and instead, complimented me on how well I did on - "holding still".  Being a photographer, I totally understood - and had more than complied with his wishes.  I came away this time believing that now, I've become a better - and now good patient.

Retina Institute

So today they finally found something.

My Neurologist had recently pointed out to me, after my first set of MRI's this month, that he had a concern about my left eye not consistently dilating - seemed abnormal. I was referred to another  specialist.

This morning, after four hours at the Retina Institute, my new neuro-opthmalogist Dr. Marc Levy, finally gave me a diagnosis - Horner Syndrome. A rare condition that affects the nerves to the eye and face. In my particular case, this condition is either caused by Migraine or "Cluster" headaches and/or a tumor in the upper area of the lung.  This "syndrome" reflects a situation when a long optic nerve (extending from head area to upper chest) has increased pressure put upon it - which can cause double vision, blurriness and drooping eyelid.

Dr. Levy described it this way, "As a photographer, you will have a better understanding, if I said your iris will not open up within it's normal function - think of it this way, your iris is now stuck at f. 22."

Well, that reminded me of a lens that I had sent out to have serviced last year - the lens aperture blades had become sticky and non-functional.  That photo tech told me, "To costly to fix. Cheaper to buy a new lens".

That's where I'm at.  And - more detailed MRI's to come in the following weeks to determine the exact area where that pressure point is affecting that optic nerve causing my diminishing eyesight and on-going headaches.


Testing, using Goldman's Visual Field Test equipment

A "slit lamp" - the Topcon SL-2E

Now, if I can get my knee back in shape, a black patch for my left eye - and a stiff drink, I'll be fine.

Sarasota's 4th of July

Another busy, noisy holiday weekend up ahead.  For the past ten years or so, Sarasota's Gulf waters and beaches have become part of an international offshore power boat race.  This year will be no different, except the size of the damn thing seems to keep growing.  My only problem today and tomorrow, besides the obvious, is that last year's Grand Prix winner, the middle eastern sponsored "Qatar", has parked their huge rig in "our" parking spots needed for our own bay-front situated, Lawn Bowling Club.

permanent (and temporarily on hold)

My exhibition (Florida Portraits) was taken down this morning, a little more than one year after it's initial "opening" at Sarasota County's public Terrace Building. The exhibition space will soon be undergoing a major remodeling for county administrative purposes - and hopefully a public access for the better.

A little saddened once again, seeing my old buddies - wrapped in bubble-wrap, labeled in cardboard boxes and carted temporarily upstairs. These portraits were part of my sister, Caren's collection of prints that she once treasured.  Removing them today, I found myself remembering each subject - individually, personally, fondly.

(below) The county's contracted framer and installer Marc Volpe, holding a portrait of high-wire aerialist, Mario Wallenda. Coincidentally, it was the last portrait to be packed out of the 41 - and the last portrait that my sister and I worked on together, using taped interviews and camera.