Pelavi Mandalia: Cornea recipient

Cornea transplants fullfill nurse's dreams

I was first diagnosed with keratoconus in 1998. I tried to wear contacts to treat this disease, but that approach proved unsuccessful. Twice the contacts popped out of my eyes, once when I was taking a math exam and the other time when I was driving. I found the contacts to be extremely painful, and it sometimes took me over an hour to put them in my eyes. While wearing the contacts, my eyes were extremely sensitive to light, and I experienced headaches and eye pain. Without the contacts, I was legally blind. Because of my difficulty with the contacts, and the fact that I was legally blind without them, my doctor recommended cornea transplants. I received my left cornea in 1999 and my right cornea in 2001.

I feel so blessed and honored to have received my bilateral cornea transplants; they were truly a gift. Dr. Thomas Gillette, of Eye Associates Northwest in Seattle, performed the surgery. The Eye Associates Northwest staff was wonderful. Now, the vision in my right eye is 20/20 without correction, and my left eye is 20/20 with correction.

The transplants allowed me to complete the nursing program at Seattle University. After I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I became a hospice nurse. Now, as a registered nurse, I work as a primary care team lead. In my present position, I have mentored many other nurses. I am halfway through a master's degree in nursing, and should have it completed soon.

Without the transplants, I do not think I would have completed my education and fulfilled my lifelong dream of being a registered nurse. The transplants gave me an opportunity to see things more clearly, literally and spiritually. This was, for me, a miracle; and, because I was given so much, I feel the need to give something back. By sharing my story, I hope that I can inspire others to seek or provide help in facilitating sight-restoring — and life-changing — transplants.

Respectfully,

Pelavi Mandalia, RN BSN
January 30, 2010