Hello, I am Petriann Coley, and I'd like to share my story, a journey of love, sacrifice, and the unexpected challenges life can throw your way. I'm a mother of three beautiful children, living in Bridgeport, and working as a housekeeper at the local hospital. My life revolved around my family, and I gave everything I had to make their lives better. My illness, as it turned out, had a peculiar beginning - one that coincided with a significant change in my work environment. I had been contentedly working as a housekeeper at the hospital in Stamford for years, doing my best to ensure that patients had a clean and comfortable environment during their stay. The hospital had been my second home. However, changes were on the horizon. I decided to transition some of the hospital's storage areas into an expanded basement level. This transition had brought a lot of dust, debris, and exposure to potentially harmful substances. My routine had been disrupted as I was tasked with managing the new basement area. Little did I know that this transition would mark the beginning of my health issues. Prolonged exposure to the dust and unknown particles began to take a toll on my well-being. There was little time to think about myself, let alone any health issues. Over time, I began feeling unwell, but my focus remained on my kids. I brushed off the fatigue and mysterious aches, believing it was merely exhaustion from the long hours of work and taking care of my little ones. But deep down, I knew something was not right.

One evening, after picking up my children from the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, I started to experience a strange sensation. A sudden darkness overcame my left eye while I was driving. Panic surged through me, but I kept my composure, not wanting to alarm my children. I explained that I couldn't see anything out of my left eye and continued driving, my heart pounding with fear. This episode prompted me to seek medical help. I visited multiple doctors, each one more puzzled than the last, unable to explain the cause of my sudden vision loss. Their uncertainty only added to my anxiety. Finally, one doctor suggested a CT scan, suspecting there might be an underlying factor that was causing my blindness in one eye. With a sense of trepidation, I followed their advice and headed to the hospital for the scan. It was a nerve-wracking experience, but I knew it was the first step to finding answers. As I lay on the cold, sterile examination table, the machine whirred around me, capturing images of my head. The anticipation was almost unbearable. When the results came in, they revealed an unexpected culprit - a small, benign growth pressing against my optic nerve, causing my vision loss. It was a relief to finally have an explanation, even though it was a daunting one. I had always been a woman of strong will, determined to do what was best for my family. The doctors and I believed that chemotherapy might be a great way to address the issue, and it would allow me to continue working and being there for my children. However, I faced a major roadblock when I decided to pursue this path. You see, I relied on the hospital's health insurance to cover my medical expenses, and to my shock and dismay, I received a notice that my benefits were canceled.

It was a heart-wrenching moment for me. My lifeline, the insurance that was meant to protect me and my family, was gone. The hospital where I had worked tirelessly for years, cleaning rooms, and caring for patients, had left me stranded. Without insurance, I couldn't access the chemotherapy I needed to address the growth affecting my vision. With no other option, I had to call the hospital's HR department. My voice trembled as I explained my situation, the desperation creeping into my words. I requested that my benefits be reinstated, hoping they would understand the gravity of my situation. I had always been a loyal and hardworking employee, and I believed they would see the importance of helping me when I needed it most. The HR department listened to my plea, and after what felt like an eternity, they agreed to reinstate my benefits. Relief washed over me, knowing that I would have access to the medical care I needed to pursue chemotherapy. The reinstatement of my benefits was a sigh of relief, but it had come at a high cost. During the time my insurance was suspended, the benign growth pressing against my optic nerve had continued to advance. The delay in getting the scheduled treatment I needed ultimately proved devastating.

As I embarked on the chemotherapy to address the growth, I hoped against hope that it would halt the progression. But it was a race against time, and I could feel the symptoms worsening. My right eye, which had been unaffected initially, began to show signs of the same vision loss that had plagued my left eye. I remember the day when I couldn't read a story to my children before bed. The words blurred, and I struggled to make out the characters and their adventures. It was a heartbreaking moment, not just for me but for my kids, who had been my pillar of strength throughout this journey. I couldn't ignore the signs any longer. My vision in my right eye was deteriorating rapidly, and I knew that the delay in receiving treatment had come at a great cost. I felt a profound sense of loss, not only for my own visual abilities but for the moments I would miss with my children.

I continued with the chemotherapy, desperately hoping that it would eventually slow the progression. I also had to come to terms with the reality that the damage in my right eye might be irreversible. It was a painful and humbling experience, one that taught me the importance of not only seeking help but also the significance of timely treatment. My children remained my source of strength, but it was hard for them to witness their mother's struggle.

The guilt I felt was immense, knowing that my delay in benefits had impacted not just me but their lives as well. Several years have passed since the incident that forever altered my life. I remain in the relentless grip of blindness, a reality that has transformed my everyday existence. The chemotherapy, the treatment that I had initially hoped would restore my vision, has become a constant companion in my life. My days are marked by hospital visits, medical appointments, and the persistent uncertainty of whether my eyesight will ever return. The darkness has settled in both my left and right eyes, casting a shadow over my once-bright world. But despite the challenges, I hold onto hope.

Hope is a resilient flame within me, keeping me focused on the possibility of regaining my vision. I continue to fight, not only for myself but for my children who have stood by me through it all. The journey has been long and arduous, but I've found solace in the unwavering support of my family and the strength of my own spirit. Each day is a new opportunity for recovery, and I cling to the belief that someday, the world will once again be painted in the vibrant colors that I've yearned to see.

Though my path is uncertain and the obstacles remain, I am determined to emerge from this darkness and to see the faces of my children with my own eyes once more. With the hope in my heart, I continue my fight for the light at the end of this seemingly endless tunnel. Thank you for allowing me to share my story with you.

Sincerely,

Petriann Coley