Earlier this year, Lisa Thomas, OD, PA, of Eyes & Optics of Pearland in Pearland, TX, faced an unimaginable challenge – one that could have shattered her spirit. Yet, through her faith and the unwavering support of the PECAA community and others, she found hope.
On their first night in their new home, Dr. Thomas, her husband Bobby and daughters Emily and Bella were excited to settle in. But then, a literal misstep changed everything in an instant. “I was holding the railing coming down the steps, and when I reached the second-to-last step, I stepped too far. I knew immediately I was in trouble,” she recalls. This one step resulted in severe injuries – with fractures to her tibia, fibula in two places, and cuboid bone.
After a week-long hospital stay for surgery, followed by two weeks in a rehab center, Dr. Thomas faced a heartbreaking decision: temporarily closing her beloved practice. “I was in tremendous pain and the medication was clouding my mind, but as a private business owner, I had to think about the practice I’ve poured my heart into,” she shares.
News of Dr. Thomas’s situation spread quickly throughout the local eye care community, based on reports from herself and her family. What happened next was heartwarming – and for Dr. Thomas – nothing short of magical. Her family, staff and the independent eye care community, including PECAA Max members, rallied behind her and helped her reopen her practice. “It was humbling,” Dr. Thomas reflects. “I’ve always been someone who prioritizes helping others, so it was uncomfortable to be on the receiving end. But the compassion and kindness shown to me has been overwhelming. They saved my dream of being a private practice owner.”
Dr. Thomas’s friend, Alireza Somji, OD – a PECAA Max member and Houston Regional Leader – frequently checked in with her and even volunteered to help with patients. With the support of relief doctors and a dedicated team, Dr. Thomas’s practice stayed open. “My staff was incredible,” she says with pride. “And friends I hadn’t heard from in decades – undergrad and grad school pals – sent financial support to keep the practice going. It felt like a miracle.”
Though Dr. Thomas has made remarkable strides, her journey is far from over. Now in a wheelchair to avoid putting weight on her leg, her recovery could take another year. Having survived ovarian cancer during college, it’s suspected that life-saving treatments at that time contributed to the fragility of her bones. Her orthopedic surgeon has expressed concerns about her healing progress.
“I might need to close the practice for a week to undergo intensive physical therapy before the year ends,” she admits. “It’s a busy time, but my patients have been so understanding – they’ve stuck with me.”
Reflecting on the outpouring of love and support she received, Dr. Thomas is deeply moved. “I never expected this, but I’m eternally grateful,” she says.
“The connections you make in communities like PECAA are invaluable. These aren’t just professional relationships; they’re friendships that continue to grow and support you when you need it most.”