And it's me again.
Pain gone. Vision is improving. Still not clear, but I AM seeing images.
The drops (at least one) is so thick that I believe that may be part of the problem.
Today I can wash my hair. Tried to shower last night. I thought my fancy dancy shower head could be turned off at the shower head. It wasn't last night, and I soaked the bathroom. Getting water off the floor without bending is a new Olympic event!
Friday, March 30, 2018
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Me and three bottles
Three bottles of eye drops, that is. Yes - one every two hours, one four times a day, and one once a day! What an exciting life.
The vision is (hopefully) clearing, but honestly, it is where it was with the vaseline like covered cataract. I hope it isn't wishful thinking that I can see more clearly, but I sincerely hope so. At least the pain from the scratches on the cornea are better.
I guess if nothing else, I could have a corneal replacement - too. I hope not. Guess I have to take the thought that at least the retinal doctor can see into the eye to the retina now! (I hope)
The vision is (hopefully) clearing, but honestly, it is where it was with the vaseline like covered cataract. I hope it isn't wishful thinking that I can see more clearly, but I sincerely hope so. At least the pain from the scratches on the cornea are better.
I guess if nothing else, I could have a corneal replacement - too. I hope not. Guess I have to take the thought that at least the retinal doctor can see into the eye to the retina now! (I hope)
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
The good --- and the bad
Surgery was yesterday. I had to arrive at 6 a.m. That is horrible - I don't do 6 anymore! But I was first.
Talked to the anesthetist, and then the nurse anesthetist who would be with me. I was going to get a combination of drugs for the twilight sleep. I was surprised I wouldn't be put in one of those stylish hospital gowns, but I was just covered with blankets.
They started the drug cocktail, and I began floating. Apparently, I was given quite a lot of the cocktail because frankly - it hurt. I do have memories of the pain, some lights and being told not to move. I had two parts of this - one the cataract and the other was opening a duct for more fluid to leave to alleviate glaucoma some.
When we were leaving, I certainly knew WHY you have to have a driver. I was higher than a kite. All afternoon, I wasn't with this world. G asked a question and it took me a while to answer because I couldn't remember the answer. I was SO sleepy too! But the dreams I kept having were really strange,
I had a lot of pain also. I am not going to lie about that and say it was all wine and roses. About 7 last evening, I took some Advil. I really didn't care if had anti-coagulant properties or not. I was hurting.
The most irritating thing was my throat was sore - probably from the gallon of eyedrops that would run into my throat and the runny nose from the tears that would run into my nose!
I was able to sleep through the night without a problem, but we had to be up at 5:30 for me to be in her office at 7. At first, no pain, then it hit again. That passed into just a dull pain.
At her office, the bandages were removed. Just that felt good. But the eyechart thingy was lit. I couldn't see the letters. The assistant was, well, worried. I could see it. She held up two fingers and moved them for me to tell her when I could see them.
The doctor came in. We discussed the meds I had to have, and we laughed about my reaction! Then she looked at the eye. Apparently, I have a corneal scratch. That will heal. (I hope). It just feels like I have something in my eye - had a scratched cornea before.
Now I have drops for every 2 hours, four times a day, and once a day. Fortunately they give a sheet to mark them off and I have set my phone alarm for the two-hour interval. This goes for 10 days!
The good from this is that I don't have to use the drop for glaucoma in this eye. I hope that stays that way.
I go back next week - if not before. I just can't bend over for that week. That will be difficult to remember.
Talked to the anesthetist, and then the nurse anesthetist who would be with me. I was going to get a combination of drugs for the twilight sleep. I was surprised I wouldn't be put in one of those stylish hospital gowns, but I was just covered with blankets.
They started the drug cocktail, and I began floating. Apparently, I was given quite a lot of the cocktail because frankly - it hurt. I do have memories of the pain, some lights and being told not to move. I had two parts of this - one the cataract and the other was opening a duct for more fluid to leave to alleviate glaucoma some.
When we were leaving, I certainly knew WHY you have to have a driver. I was higher than a kite. All afternoon, I wasn't with this world. G asked a question and it took me a while to answer because I couldn't remember the answer. I was SO sleepy too! But the dreams I kept having were really strange,
I had a lot of pain also. I am not going to lie about that and say it was all wine and roses. About 7 last evening, I took some Advil. I really didn't care if had anti-coagulant properties or not. I was hurting.
The most irritating thing was my throat was sore - probably from the gallon of eyedrops that would run into my throat and the runny nose from the tears that would run into my nose!
I was able to sleep through the night without a problem, but we had to be up at 5:30 for me to be in her office at 7. At first, no pain, then it hit again. That passed into just a dull pain.
At her office, the bandages were removed. Just that felt good. But the eyechart thingy was lit. I couldn't see the letters. The assistant was, well, worried. I could see it. She held up two fingers and moved them for me to tell her when I could see them.
The doctor came in. We discussed the meds I had to have, and we laughed about my reaction! Then she looked at the eye. Apparently, I have a corneal scratch. That will heal. (I hope). It just feels like I have something in my eye - had a scratched cornea before.
Now I have drops for every 2 hours, four times a day, and once a day. Fortunately they give a sheet to mark them off and I have set my phone alarm for the two-hour interval. This goes for 10 days!
The good from this is that I don't have to use the drop for glaucoma in this eye. I hope that stays that way.
I go back next week - if not before. I just can't bend over for that week. That will be difficult to remember.
Monday, March 26, 2018
Almost D Day
Or rather S day! Tomorrow - 6 a.m.
I have been using eyedrops since Friday, well only one until Sunday. One of those is once a day and the other is four times a day. The flyer with them says to reduce pain and swelling, but I really believe the 4 a day also has some antibiotic properties.
I have spent the day trying to get chores done and errands run. We needed screws for the garage door and G has a sit upon "valet" that he has managed to lose screws from. Fortunately, I discovered that fact before it collapsed (again). Of course with my mind - I forgot to take sample screws with me! But I think the ones I got will work out.
I am doing my best to stay calm. Saturday night we went with the church group (there is a group that goes out to dinner once a month - catchy name - Guess Where We Are Going To Dinner. That is how it started, but has changed into an announced place that changes each month).
We sat across the table from a couple who BOTH have had cataract surgery. Everyone says it is easy. So I am holding onto that. If my blood pressure is high, they will cancel the surgery. I most certainly don't want that. I will be sure that I take my meds!!
That's about it. I will (hopefully) be back soon to let you know how it went.
I have been using eyedrops since Friday, well only one until Sunday. One of those is once a day and the other is four times a day. The flyer with them says to reduce pain and swelling, but I really believe the 4 a day also has some antibiotic properties.
I have spent the day trying to get chores done and errands run. We needed screws for the garage door and G has a sit upon "valet" that he has managed to lose screws from. Fortunately, I discovered that fact before it collapsed (again). Of course with my mind - I forgot to take sample screws with me! But I think the ones I got will work out.
I am doing my best to stay calm. Saturday night we went with the church group (there is a group that goes out to dinner once a month - catchy name - Guess Where We Are Going To Dinner. That is how it started, but has changed into an announced place that changes each month).
We sat across the table from a couple who BOTH have had cataract surgery. Everyone says it is easy. So I am holding onto that. If my blood pressure is high, they will cancel the surgery. I most certainly don't want that. I will be sure that I take my meds!!
That's about it. I will (hopefully) be back soon to let you know how it went.
Friday, March 23, 2018
The countdown has begun
I started using the plethora of eyedrops today. This one will be each day until Tuesday. Sunday I add another (4 times a day), then surgery and after that yet another. Yikes!
G had his spinal injection, and to his great surprise I believe - he can still walk. He was so concerned even though I have had about 6 of these procedures. In fact, he feels relief from the sciatica today.
Told him so!
G had his spinal injection, and to his great surprise I believe - he can still walk. He was so concerned even though I have had about 6 of these procedures. In fact, he feels relief from the sciatica today.
Told him so!
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Yes, it's meeeeee!
Time has surely flown by. And some things have really happened!
First, we spent our Spring Break at the SSB. That was early because we wanted to take advantage of the (slave) labor we were offered! My son and his family were able to get away to come up to help get some heavy work done.
Originally they were to spend a week, but the Houston Rodeo got in the way -they had tickets for Friday and Saturday. Then Brian doesn't have much vacation time left (and I will get to that in a bit). So they came up on Sunday and returned on Tuesday. BUT we were able to get the old storage shed pieces to the dump, and we were able to move all the old wood pile into the pasture so it can be burned.
All this needed to be done because the new hunters' cabin is finished. It is for them and us when we have an overflow. Twelve people in our house is just too many! So we are trying to make the enclosure where the two houses are cleaner and neater. The storage shed had its roof blown off last year, so it wasn't much use! The wood pile was leftover lumber from the various building projects that have been done. Anyway - we have an almost park-like setting now. Thanks Brian and Christina!
He doesn't have much vacation left because they have friends who moved to London. Their daughter is graduating from high school this year, so Brian and family are going. Christina almost talked us into going with them. To cut to the chase, we almost went, but now we aren't. Traveling with a group of 8 is just too much for one thing.
The other reason is G is now having a lot of sciatica pain. I guess I am going to sound not caring, but I have had all that pain for years (at least 40 years), and I have "sucked it up" and gone on. Being a man, you would think he should be in a wheelchair now. He is scheduled for the spine injection (the ones I have had for the last 7 years) on Thursday. He thinks he will become paralyzed from it.
I could go on with all the pains I have, but that would be letting them take over. Plus, I really try not to spend that much time dwelling on them, and I do apologize for bringing them up and groaning about them to you. My mother did that - constantly and I swore I wouldn't be that person, yet- here I am doing that.
I am gearing up for my cataract surgery now. Last night I remembered I am to begin using some eye drops before surgery and panicked a bit thinking I should have already started with them. Just what I needed to add to my insomnia. But all it good on that front.
The old adage - "if I had known I was going to live this long ..." - really holds true. I certainly would have taken better care. I tell my granddaughter this all the time. She has injured her shoulder in water polo. She finally had her MRI and will have surgery later this year. She hasn't been doing the exercises to strengthen and especially loosen her shoulder right before games. So she will have her surgery after the season - in May.
Thursday, March 08, 2018
Surgery set
I was measured for the new lens that will go into my eye. So this is all progressing!
I was told that I will be using a total of three drops associated with this surgery. Two before the surgery and one (I think) after. The person doing all this pre-op business told me there was a pharmacy that could get the drops at a lower cost to me. But that place is a long way (and in an unfavorable area) so I decided to use my local national one.
With the hubbub that I have been hearing from other retired Texas teachers, I was a little concerned with the new that these drops were "expensive." I have to remember that most of those with the horror stories of having things like their insulin costs rising to $1500 come from those under 65. Those poor people are really getting hit hard - both with just the cost of their insurance but also the drug portion. They are not eligible for Medicare, and with the Windfall profit ruling (and that's laughable when you see exactly how little Texas teachers get for their retirement) - where Texas teachers aren't eligible for their total Social Security they PAID in, they may not get Medicare possibly. I was very worried about the cost of those drops.
I had a semi-pleasant surprise when I called and got the amount I was to be charged The total cost was $75. That is both a shock and relief. That means that each bottle was $25, and that is what I pay now for my Lumigan - for glaucoma. So even though that was $75 I didn't plan on spending, it wasn't that far out of line.
The other good news about the cataract surgery is that she can do another procedure to hopefully eliminate glaucoma in that poor ol' left eye while she is there. THAT would mean only half the amount of the Lumigan! At least that is my hope.
I was told that I will be using a total of three drops associated with this surgery. Two before the surgery and one (I think) after. The person doing all this pre-op business told me there was a pharmacy that could get the drops at a lower cost to me. But that place is a long way (and in an unfavorable area) so I decided to use my local national one.
With the hubbub that I have been hearing from other retired Texas teachers, I was a little concerned with the new that these drops were "expensive." I have to remember that most of those with the horror stories of having things like their insulin costs rising to $1500 come from those under 65. Those poor people are really getting hit hard - both with just the cost of their insurance but also the drug portion. They are not eligible for Medicare, and with the Windfall profit ruling (and that's laughable when you see exactly how little Texas teachers get for their retirement) - where Texas teachers aren't eligible for their total Social Security they PAID in, they may not get Medicare possibly. I was very worried about the cost of those drops.
I had a semi-pleasant surprise when I called and got the amount I was to be charged The total cost was $75. That is both a shock and relief. That means that each bottle was $25, and that is what I pay now for my Lumigan - for glaucoma. So even though that was $75 I didn't plan on spending, it wasn't that far out of line.
The other good news about the cataract surgery is that she can do another procedure to hopefully eliminate glaucoma in that poor ol' left eye while she is there. THAT would mean only half the amount of the Lumigan! At least that is my hope.
Friday, March 02, 2018
Little things can mean a lot
While I was at the water polo game, G took our recycling out front. He saw a couple walking two Boxers, and was, of course, interested. He didn't recognize them, and I don't blame him. He only met them once.
It was the couple who are friends (and one a classmate) of my daughter. They had fallen on really hard times a few years ago. They had lost their jobs and were near eviction from their home. They had only one vehicle and it was so hard to even look for work for both of them.
We had just purchased our SUV, and we weren't going to get but about $1500 for my beloved Pontiac. We hate trying to sell a car outright. There are just too many horror stories - one included when we sold one that never had the title changed on! That Pontiac was the epitome of the vehicle "driven by the little old lady school teacher to and from school!" And school was about 5 miles from home. It was in impeckable shape.
To cut to the chase - we gave this couple the car.
They live about three blocks from us on a cul-de-sac, so we really don't ever go by their house. We heard from our daughter the car was saved during Harvey. Their house got water in it, but that little green Gran Prix was saved!
After tslking with them, G found the husband still drives that car daily to and from work! I am so happy we did this one bit of paying it forward. That act was never about doing anything for us. It was to help a good but struggling family get back on their feet. It still can make me happy though - especially because that was the car of my dreams when I bought it! I am so happy it still lives and is functional!
It was the couple who are friends (and one a classmate) of my daughter. They had fallen on really hard times a few years ago. They had lost their jobs and were near eviction from their home. They had only one vehicle and it was so hard to even look for work for both of them.
We had just purchased our SUV, and we weren't going to get but about $1500 for my beloved Pontiac. We hate trying to sell a car outright. There are just too many horror stories - one included when we sold one that never had the title changed on! That Pontiac was the epitome of the vehicle "driven by the little old lady school teacher to and from school!" And school was about 5 miles from home. It was in impeckable shape.
To cut to the chase - we gave this couple the car.
They live about three blocks from us on a cul-de-sac, so we really don't ever go by their house. We heard from our daughter the car was saved during Harvey. Their house got water in it, but that little green Gran Prix was saved!
After tslking with them, G found the husband still drives that car daily to and from work! I am so happy we did this one bit of paying it forward. That act was never about doing anything for us. It was to help a good but struggling family get back on their feet. It still can make me happy though - especially because that was the car of my dreams when I bought it! I am so happy it still lives and is functional!
Thursday, March 01, 2018
To continue
This thing has gotten so much worse - so fast!
On Tuesday, I went to Granddaughter's water polo game. It was at 5:30 and I drove - which is something I TRY to not do at all. It was dusk when I got out. First, with my diminished peripheral vision, I didn't see the step down in the parking lot. I missed it and fell - fortunately on my butt. That was embarrassing. Then coming home, I was scared to death. I really couldn't see that well as the night grew darker, and judging distance was really hard.
I knew all I see is blurry objects - letters disappear, but I just was kidding myself into believing it wasn't this bad. It is.
So I go back next Tuesday to me "measured" for the lens. And probably some other things as well. I lost all she was saying - just to come in next week. Then on the 27th is the surgery.
I love my doctor. She is so funny. I told her I was nervous with all that has happened to this eye. She said I shouldn't be. I told her that was easy for HER to say!
I really am thinking I don't have that much to lose. I know, saw the "movie" about the surgery at her office, and she said I could lost my vision, but there isn't that much left!
Keep you posted as things progress!
On Tuesday, I went to Granddaughter's water polo game. It was at 5:30 and I drove - which is something I TRY to not do at all. It was dusk when I got out. First, with my diminished peripheral vision, I didn't see the step down in the parking lot. I missed it and fell - fortunately on my butt. That was embarrassing. Then coming home, I was scared to death. I really couldn't see that well as the night grew darker, and judging distance was really hard.
I knew all I see is blurry objects - letters disappear, but I just was kidding myself into believing it wasn't this bad. It is.
So I go back next Tuesday to me "measured" for the lens. And probably some other things as well. I lost all she was saying - just to come in next week. Then on the 27th is the surgery.
I love my doctor. She is so funny. I told her I was nervous with all that has happened to this eye. She said I shouldn't be. I told her that was easy for HER to say!
I really am thinking I don't have that much to lose. I know, saw the "movie" about the surgery at her office, and she said I could lost my vision, but there isn't that much left!
Keep you posted as things progress!
Big day - I guess
And I am nervous. Last time I saw the Retinal Specialist, the doc said the cataract was getting to the point he couldn't see the retina. SO - I see the ophthalmologist today - in about an hour.
I cerebrally know it will be fairly painless, and I will be happy with the results. I know I haven't got a lot to lose. I do still have vision, but it is like looking through waxed paper that has been smeared with vaseline. But it IS surgery. On my eye.
I cerebrally know it will be fairly painless, and I will be happy with the results. I know I haven't got a lot to lose. I do still have vision, but it is like looking through waxed paper that has been smeared with vaseline. But it IS surgery. On my eye.
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