After receiving a cancer diagnosis, Jeff Abramowitz knew that he was going to lose his vision to the disease, but there was one thing it wouldn't take from him -- his determination and optimism.
Back in May, Abramowitz, 54, started to experience eye floaters in his vision, but he had no idea why. This happened consistently for several days, so he went to the hospital on May 27. He told Newsweek that "the situation had become concerning." The next day, it got even worse as an on-call ophthalmologist said that the floaters were caused by an eye tumor.
It was confirmed that the growth was cancerous, and, on May 30, Abramowitz was diagnosed with uveal melanoma. This is a rare type of cancer that affects the middle part of the eye containing blood vessels, pigment cells, and nutrients to the retina.
As the tumor was so large, Abramowitz, of Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania, was given the news that the best course of action would be to remove his left eye.
"When the ocular oncologist told me that, I was so overwhelmed," Abramowitz said. "The thought of having cancer was problematic and distressing enough, but losing my eye seemed inconceivable and caused so much sadness."
With the surgery arranged for July 9, a lot was going to change for Abramowitz, and he wanted to make the most of his full vision while he still had it. There were a lot of things he wanted to accomplish, but the most significant was watching the sunset with both eyes for one last time.
Abramowitz and his wife, Stephanie Vegoda, would often sit outside their home in the evenings and watch the beautiful sunsets, and he knew it was something he would miss dearly. So, on July 8, the day before going in for surgery, they sat together and took it in for one final time before he lost part of his vision.
"I was still overwhelmed with the diagnosis and the loss of my eye. I was consumed with thoughts surrounding what my life would look like after the surgery, and I was so fearful and anxious about how my life may change," Abramowitz said.
"That whole week before the surgery involved realizations of 'lasts'. I was cognizant that my friends and family would see me one last time with two eyes. I also wish I could have seen a 3D movie one last time, but my vision had deteriorated in my left eye, so it wasn't possible."
What Is Uveal Melanoma?
Uveal melanoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the middle part of the eye, between the outer sclera and inner retina. While it is uncommon, The National Cancer Institute says it is the most common form of eye cancer in adults, with around 1,700 people diagnosed each year.
Optometrist Dr. Meenal Agarwal specializes in laser vision correction and LASIK, contact lens fittings, and nearsightedness in children. She told Newsweek that patients with uveal melanoma are usually without symptoms, but in more advanced cases, symptoms can include blurred vision, floaters, or flashing lights.
"Treatment options can include radiation therapy, surgery to remove a certain part, or a combination of both. Treatment really depends on the size and location of the mass," Agarwal said.
The decision to remove an eye is a major life change. It affects not only a person's vision for the rest of their life, but also their independence and sense of self. People will take different lengths of time to adjust to their new normal, but Agarwal highlighted the importance of having a strong support network around to help.
She said: "Losing an eye can be emotionally difficult, impacting your independence, including the ability to drive, and to do certain daily activities or hobbies, not to mention adjusting to your new appearance. So, having a strong network of family and friends can really help with this."
The Social Media Reaction
Abramowitz captured footage of the night he enjoyed the sunset with full vision to "memorialize how [he] was feeling," and shared it on TikTok (@jeffs.journey5). The video was only supposed to be seen by his friends and family, but it touched so many hearts and went viral with over 3.6 million views and almost 400,000 likes already.
It was a surreal moment for Abramowitz to take in, but he wanted to use the moment to educate other people about cancer and be a pillar of strength for others who are going through it.
"I am overwhelmed with the amount of interest, the outpouring of well wishes, and the number of people who have shared their stories with me," Abramowitz told Newsweek.
"Most of all, I've been amazed by the number of people who told me that my perspective has helped them and been a source of positivity. I want them to know that it's important to never give up and they should never allow cancer to take away their life.
"Death comes for us all in the end, but until that last breath, we have the right to retain control over our life, actions, and happiness. I can't wish cancer away, but what is within my control is how I react to it and the loss of my eye."
Indeed, throughout this experience, Abramowitz has adopted the mantra of "I own today," and he implores others to embrace it, too.
Recovering From Surgery
Following the surgery, Abramowitz said he has been adapting to his new normal and is taking every day as it comes. Losing his eye has been incredibly disorienting, and he would often wake up feeling confused about the "void coming from [his] field of vision."
His right eye has been unaffected, and in total, he has lost around 20 to 22 percent of his vision. He is still filled with joy and happiness at his life, but there are many unsettling moments when the gravity of what he has gone through hits him. However, it is in moments like those that he is incredibly grateful for his loving family, especially his wife.
Abramowitz continued: "Having cancer was my worst nightmare. When I heard those words, I was so scared, but in reality, having cancer wasn't as debilitating as I expected.
"But these types of illnesses don't just impact the person who is diagnosed, but also their spouses. I am blessed to have such an amazing person by my side, and I couldn't fathom having a better person in my corner."
After posting the video of his last sunset on TikTok, Abramowitz was inundated with more than 13,700 comments on the viral post.
One comment reads: "I wish you a speedy recovery. The beauty of the world doesn't change. You will just get to observe it from a different perspective."
Another TikTok user wrote: "Those one-eyed sunsets will mean more to you now and they will seem even more beautiful! Have a speedy recovery and stay strong ... you got this."
A third commenter added: "It's sad, but you still have your other eye keep enjoying the beauty of nature."
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