Update on me ..... long

11 years ago

I have not done a recent update on my current health situation, so I guess it is time. Last year was filled with one thing after another, but I am doing well considering the circumstances.

So now it is a new year. I had known for some time that I would need to have cataract surgery in my left eye, but had put it off, because the cataract surgery in my right eye had failed and that made me hesitate to risk it; not a good decision. I had not been driving much recently because of the weather, and I use our RetComm bus for grocery trips and WalMart shopping, and because my DD takes me to all my doctor appointments.

I had begun to notice that either I was having trouble reading or the newspapers and magazines were all using smaller and smaller print. In late December, 2014, I drove just a few miles down the road to pick up a couple things at the $General. On the way I realized I wasn't seeing well, so I turned around and came home. I had a previously scheduled appointment with my eye doctor which would be in just a few days, so I waited. When I saw the doctor, I was examined and told I needed to be dilated again and rechecked, right then. Not a good sign. The diagnosis was that I had had a stroke in my left eye!! I never knew you could have a stroke in an eye, and I was shocked to say the least. An appointment was made to see a retinal specialist the next day. Eye Stroke was confirmed and I would need to have injections in that eye, once a month for 4 months. I had the first injection that day and will have the second one on January 16th. A month after the 4th one, which will be in March, I will have cataract surgery in that eye in April, followed by 2 months of recovery. That brings me up to June. This is the scariest thing that I have ever had to contend with, but I know I am in good hands with a doctor with an excellent reputation. So far my vision is unchanged from how it had been, which was not great, but not too bad, so I'm looking forward to good results.

So as of now I have canceled my auto insurance for 6 months and my car sits in the garage with no tags. I was told that canceling the insurance meant the tags had to be forfeited. I did not want to give them up because they are the Bicentennial year; 1776, and had been on 3 of our cars. The tags were removed and taken to DMV for proof. DMV requests the tags be removed, but, thankfully, they do not have to be forfeited. Yay!!

I may or may not be driving again, ever. That is such a drastic decision to have to make if it comes to that. It is so personal; I hope I won't have to be told I can't drive, but I will make that decision myself if/when the time comes. At least I can still see and the prospects are that my vision will be okay. Life is good.

Sue

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Comments (22)

caroline94535
11 years ago
((((Sue)))) I have you in my prayers!
murraysmom Zone 6a OH
11 years ago
That has to have been so heavy on your mind and heart. I hope all goes well and will keep you in my prayers. That is a lot to learn to live with.
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alisande
11 years ago
You have a wonderful attitude, Sue, and I'm glad you have a good doctor. AND a good daughter!

Thank you for the update. I look forward to hearing about your excellent outcome.
glenda_al
11 years ago
Sue-va

Hugs
redcurls
11 years ago
Is the injections in your eye called EYLEA? If so, I am on those as well. Have had three in one eye, one in the other. More coming. They don't hurt, because fhey numb the area well, but the evening afterwards is rather uncomfortable as the numbness wears off. Hope yours work better than mine seem to be.....
wanda_va
11 years ago
Sending you a hug and prayers that all goes well. Hopefully, the eye issues will be resolved so you can be back in the driver's seat. Please keep us posted.
Georgysmom
11 years ago
((((Sue)))) You have a good head on your shoulders. I know you will make the right decision about driving when the time comes. Anyone who would head out, realize their vision isn't what it should be, turn around and go home is #1 in my book. I'm sure it's very difficult to make the decision to give up your driving privileges but you will know what's right when it's time. You're lucky you have the RC bus and your daughter as back-ups. Good luck with the upcoming surgery and I love reading your posts.
Jasdip
11 years ago
Georgysmom summed up how I feel, perfectly.
That takes brains and fortitude and just good smarts to turn around, instead of "faking" it and denying that your vision isn't as good as it should be.

What a shame that the previous cataract surgery didn't work out. Hubby had both eyes done this past summer, and his surgery turned out excellent.

Hugs, and good thoughts for the upcoming months Sue!
fran1523
11 years ago
What a lot to have to through. Good thoughts for a good outcome on all fronts.
grandmamary_ga
11 years ago
My heart goes out to you. Wishing you the strength to get through the next few months. I had my cataracts removed about 2 years ago several months apart. I'm so glad I did. I see so much better than I did and didn't even realize I wasn't seeing that well. I know your condition is much worse than mine was but there is always hope. I'm glad to hear that you like your doctor that means a lot. I will keep you in my prayers.
Mary
pam_25f
11 years ago
So much to think about. I think you are handling things so well.
yayagal
11 years ago
While you're going to the retinal specialist, have him or her take a look at the "failed cataract" surgery. Generally there are ways to correct that. My brother had a similar experience, went to Mass General eye and ear and now he has perfect vision. Good luck, I feel all will be well with your eye.
chisue
11 years ago
Gosh, Sue, all this must be so discouraging for you! I started to read your post to my DH -- about the failed right eye surgery and putting off having the left eye done -- and he asked if I was reading my own post! I can sympathize about THAT part.

It's really useful to learn about strokes in the eye. Who would have thought? I'm sorry it had to happen to you for us to learn about it. How very KT to find *another person* (Redcurls) requiring the injections!

I guess the 'good' part is that there is help for this. I'd say to 'hang in there', but you are already doing that! Not a lot of choice, eh?

I would be very unhappy to have to give up driving, even though my DH does most of that for both of us, and our Senior Center volunteers offer rides. It's a wake-up call to read your post -- and those of others.

Yayagal's post makes me wonder if the inadequate lens replacement in my right eye could be tweaked. (The doctor who did it said it was 'fine'.) It did not correct for astigmatism as promised with the special lens. I can 'see' distance, but not with good definition, which was why I had the cataract surgery in the first place -- unable to read street name signage. Grrr.
rob333 (zone 7b)
11 years ago
(((Sue))) Sounds really hard. You're in my thoughts especially today.
Cherryfizz
11 years ago
(((Sue))) You are so brave, sorry you had to go through all that. Anything to do with surgery on eyes leaves me squeamish and I hope I never have to go through what you did. This goes back to my childhood when my brother had eye surgery a few times and when I had a stick shoved in my eye. I hope your vision improves with the procedures.

My younger brother a few years ago was diagnosed with high blood pressure in his one eye. Never heard that before.

Anne
tami_ohio
11 years ago
I will keep you in my prayers!
susanjf_gw
11 years ago
wow thank you for your post. now am wondering if fil might have had the same problem...they can't do the surgery on him as his back is so bad he can't lay on the table...
Sue_va
Original Author
11 years ago
My, how I wish we could all just sit down together with a couple of those steaming tea pots, and a full cookie jar and just talk, and talk. There are many bits and pieces from your comments that show that several of you have an interest in this topic, and questions that need to be answered.

At the time of the failed surgery, my doctor cried as she held me and my daughter in her arms, and we also cried. I could never blame her or "hate" her; she is still my primary eye doctor. I was taken immediately, across the mountain, by my daughter, to a doctor whose name and speciality I can't remember right now. Short version: I was put completely under and he put an implant in that eye. It is still there and I can see with it. That was in November 2004.

Redcurls, you mentioned EYLEA, so I googled that, (google is my friend.) Apparently you have Macular Degeneration, not Eye Stroke. I had no pain with my injection, and none since.

Hmm. A good head, brains, fortitude, smarts, oh my! If only I had red slippers I would click my heels together and end up where bluebirds fly, and all would be well!!

Yayagirl, the retinal specialist told me he might be able to do something about the right eye to make it even better. That would be in the future; and was encouraging.

Susanif, has your fil be seen by a specialist? As for the injections, they are given sitting up.

I'm thinking that I will be able to drive again, but also preparing my mind just in case. I canceled the insurance only to save money. ;))

Thank you all. I appreciate the prayers and hugs; there can never be a limit put on that.

Sue

This post was edited by Sue-va on Sat, Jan 17, 15 at 16:39
FlamingO in AR
11 years ago
I admire you so much, Sue, and I hope that the injections work well for you. I think your wonderful attitude can only help. Good luck and best wishes heading your way. Big hugs!
pattico_gw
11 years ago
I would like to know what kind of surgery you had.

My husband had both eyes done...one at a time.

They made just a small slit on the side. removed the cataract/lens and put a new lens in.

Now he can see perfect to drive and no more of those "halos" around head lights coming at him at night.

he does have to use a pair of 100 power reader glasses now.

Make sure you have the best doctor you can get and don't worry about hurting the doctor you are going to now. Your eye vision is much more important. your eye doctor will forgive you.

I hope the best for you.
Sue_va
Original Author
11 years ago
Update on my update.

Had the second injection yesterday; that means I'm half way there. For the routine eye test, I could see more of the letters on the chart. I couldn't tell the difference between the K and the X, or the O and the D and a couple others, but over all it was better. Dr. T. was smilingly well pleased with that. He is an older, gentleman type and reminds me of my father. Again, the injection was very quick and may have had a little more of the "kick-a-poo-joy juice" than the first one, because for the rest of the day, my world was a little blurry, but my DD and I went on to finish my to-do list, which was a stop at the bank to deposit the refund check from my auto insurance, and a stop at the grocery store for a few things, one being that I was completely out of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! My DD is such a blessing to me.

Flamingo, you are too kind. I believe each of us makes a choice as to how we live our lives. I have a simple philosophy, and prefer to look on the sunny side and let a smile be my umbrella. and I truly believe that laughter is the best medicine. A few minutes after I got home my backdoor neighbor was at my door, to check on me, and we had a nice chat. You just can't have too many good friends. Even here at the KT.

Pattico, are you asking about the surgery that failed? If there are different kinds, I don't know. I do know that in the ten years since mine was done there have many changes/improvements in methods. Accidents do happen. I believe I have the best doctors and will stay with them. I'm glad your DH is doing well and I hope will continue to.

Til next time.

Sue
sjerin
11 years ago
Sue, you're a girl after my own heart. I'm married to a glass-half-empty kind of guy (sometimes,) so at those times I seek out my girlfriends for some laughter. I hope your eyesight continues to improve.

While reading your stories, I'm reminded of the "Little House" books. You and LEW have a similar writing style, with good attention to descriptive detail, which I love, love. Did you read them as a girl or adult?

Update on me ..... long

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caroline94535

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