I'm expecting to have three a tough weeks ahead for me. Okay , I'm going to whine about a few things.
The Micro Manager is about to get a cataract looked after on Wednesday. Well , what's that got to do with me? The hospital where cataract surgeries are done is about 20 miles away. So what's the matter? Can't you drive? Well, I can drive. It's the passenger that is the problem. The Micro manager is an extremely anxious person. It's very hard to drive when she's in the car. She sees all kinds of problems that aren't there.
Eye drops are required four times a day for 3 weeks. Let me tell you my experience with giving eyedrops is zero. I'm also up against the Micro Manager's record. Three years ago I had both eyes done with cataracts. It was over a period of 6 weeks with close to 500 drops...474 to be more precise.
Cataract surgery is quite routine but it's still somewhat stressful; They did my second one without an anesthetic.
The Micro manager is a poor patient so I'm not looking forward to things.
Cataract surgery is routine and common, but still stressful. I had both eyes done (a few weeks apart) about 10 years ago. Had to keep a record of 2 different eye drops at 2 different times. Now I think they've gotten it done to one (or so I'm told). Good luck. It won't be easy, but you will both get through it. Take it one day at a time...
ReplyDeleteHopefully the Micro manager will be more calm than usual and that things go well with surgery. I think they can give her some kind of pain medication before she has the surgery if she is too anxious to undergo as is. All the best to you both!
ReplyDeleteBeer, ya gonna need a beer. They DO have these plastic tube-cone shaped spacers to hook the medical vial rim on, and then flap it over, placing the gadget over the open eye and dropping the drop in. Doesn't require a second person. I use them for my daily drops. About $10. Be careful driving. I've had both of mine done too. Just think, after Micro Manager has them done, she'll be able to see better and instruct and guide you even better! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteYes, 20 miles of anxiety is hard going.
ReplyDeleteI remember travelling with my grandparents and grandpa would sometimes make a general request for silence in the car.
It was only recently that my dad said it was to quiet his mother
hangon in there. Pirate gave up on driving but was an awful passenger..until I told him it was his job to tell me about all the nice things I'd miss when concentrating on driving!
ReplyDeleteGiving eyedrops is easier than doing it for yourself..
Sending prayers and well wishes for your wife! Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
ReplyDeleteYou have my sympathies!
ReplyDeleteOoh, good luck to you both. You'll emerge triumphant, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteYou can do this, Red! Here’s to successful surgery and incident free transportation.
ReplyDeleteOh, your poor wife. That's a lot for an anxious person to go through. I am sure you will be patient and comforting, Red. Maybe she could try to do her own drops? I'm sure you two will work it out. How many years have you been married? I'm sure you have worked out many anxious moments together! Best of luck to you both.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, Red, I feel your pain. A few years ago I had to go through this with my mom who has dementia. Not the anxious drive part, although I would suggest asking your wife's doctor for Ativan, a calming pill that can be taken before you set out. About the eyedrops - ask the nurses if they have some tips for giving them. I find the more you ask the more you find out. If you don't ask they assume you have no problems and you know what to do already. Good luck; I hope it all goes better than you anticipate. Your wife will benefit immensely from better vision and it is even shown that better vision, like better hearing, reduces isolation and slows dementia. One day at a time, I will be thinking about both of you.
ReplyDeleteI re-read your post and realized it is likely too late to contact your doctor for Ativan this time around; maybe next time. I do like commenter gz's idea about giving your passenger the job of noticing all the good things as you drive. Distraction of any kind for the passenger will help the driver!
ReplyDeleteYou will have to micro manage the micro manager.
ReplyDeleteWhen my Mother had her cataract surgery I had to leave my home in Kansas City and fly to Malagash, Nova Scotia. I'd never done eye drops or the home health care stuff. I learned ... you will too!! I coped for two weeks... step- father couldn't do it!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I hope all will go well at this very stressful time for you both. I'll be sending you good thoughts and good vibes your way.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteMy husband had a cataract removed a few years ago. I found the hardest part was all the flipping eye drops. It went well and he can see fine now.
ReplyDeleteCan your take something for her anxiety prior to the drive? Could one of your children take you?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Atw6ToYZcmg
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKibP5R2sPM
Here's a couple of videos that teach how to give eye drops.
Good luck to you both. I'm sure everything will turn out fine.
ReplyDeleteWell, hopefully she'll surprise you! I have confidence you will make an excellent nurse and chauffeur.
ReplyDeletePrayers all goes well
ReplyDeleteMay
Perhaps you can settle her nerves with a story from a friend who was an anaesthetist.
ReplyDeleteHe had to administer the anaesthetic for (I think) an eye operation for an older, Jewish lady who was suffering from dementia and was also of an age to be a holocaust survivor. (Part of the relevance of this is probably that the decision and consent for the operation was probably made/given by her guardian.) She was convinced all the doctors were there to harm her - a Dr Mengele sort of thing. At the end of the operation, as she was coming to or at least emerging from the fentanyl, and to test whether the anaesthetic was wearing off as it should, he touched her on the temple or at any event near the eye.
"What do you feel?" he asked her.
"Hate! I only feel HATE!" was her vehement reply.
He told me about it when we met that evening. I think it had quite shaken him up.
On reflection, maybe better not tell her that story....
Hey red. Driving with the micro manager made me laugh. My husband says the same thing about me. I am constantly putting on brakes, or grabbing the door handle, or yelling that car in front is braking! He threatens to put me out of the car. :) I hope her surgery goes well. The eye drop thing is easy. I put 2 drops in my eye twice a day for glaucoma. And put eyedrops in my husband's eyes when he needs them.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Red! -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteAs one who has needed my care giver husband all too often, I know that it is hard to be a patient patient but I am always so grateful for the care I am given.
ReplyDeleteFear not, dear Red. You’ve faced this quest,
ReplyDeleteFour hundred seventy-four drops (and the rest!).
The Micro Manager, now with sharp sight,
Will not see perils at every light.
I feel very impressed with your driving skills dear Red ,driving micro manager for twenty miles sounds tough specially when she is little more anxious than normal.
ReplyDeleteI agree that can be stressful but I also have faith that once you are in the situation your fighter spirit will awake and everything will be under control 🤞🙏
Heartfelt best wishes for your dear wife ,hope and pray she recovers soon 🙏♥️
You will be fine! My husband has the first cataract surgery on Monday. We are prepared with bottles of drops 4 times a day five minutes apart! You will do fine!!
ReplyDeleteOuch... I know now that it went well for her, thank goodness. No anesthetic for you??? Oh my gosh! Art will be due for one soon too.
ReplyDeleteI had a client whose husband had a hard time with his cataract surgery. She chose not to have hers done. By the time I cam along she couldn't see. These days the surgery is so quick and routine. All the best.
ReplyDelete