Saturday, August 6, 2022

ANYBODY NOTICE I'VE BEEN ABSENT?

      Well, I've ben busy . So busy that I've not been able to read the posts on some days.  

       It's not pleasant getting so far behind that you don't have enough time to read blogs or make comment. 

     We've had some nasty weather so some of the jobs outdoors in the yard cannot get done. It's been hot. Too hot for an old guy to be out in the afternoon. 

      But what has really taken my time is cataract surgery. In my case I have to arrange rides because the Micro Manager doesn't drive. The eye clinic hospital is about 30 km away. 

    Two days before surgery you have a regime of eyedrops which keep you close to home. Then you have to arrange the necessary materials to take along to the hospital. The total time for the procedure is about four hours.

     You have several people come around with charts and ask questions. You get eyedrops about six times. The anesthetist has a little visit with you. 

      Then they actually prepare you for surgery. An IV is hooked up. Oxygen is applied. You wait and finally you are wheeled into the OR. The surgeon says hello. He asked me to look at a light. I looked at ceiling lights instead of the one in his machine. Then it was lights out for me. I woke up and was in recovery and then wheeled to the Micro Manager. My ride was there and we went home. 

     When I got out of the car I was very dizzy and it's a good thing my driver caught me before I did an eye plant. 

     The next morning I visited the surgeon and he pronounced that it was good and took off the eye shield. Vision was disappointing but I found out later it takes some time for everything to adjust. 

     So now I'm on three sets of drops four times a day. There are many restrictions on activities for the first seven days after surgery. 

     I'm amazed at the new vision I have. Things are bright and clear. Needless to say I am pleased. 

     On Aug. 16 I get the right eye done.

    A heads up for any prospective cataract patients. Have a very good look on the web for information on cataract surgery. You will get all kinds of information that the surgeon likely won't tell you. 

25 comments:

  1. Hooray for Mr. Red! Yes, cataract surgery is fairly breezy, but still scary cuz they're messing with your EYES! I had them both done in my late 50s cuz very near-sighted people tend to get them sooner. SO glad I did. They didn't knock me out though, but all the numbing drops worked cuz I didn't feel anything. It was fun looking through my eyeball while he was doing it and putting in the news lens. Remember your eye drops! They're important. Until mine settle down, it drove me nuts to try and use my glasses on the side I'd just had the surgery, because I could see well. I popped out the lens from my glasses, which was much nicer for that temporary time span. Linda in Kansas

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  2. I passed out when I had my second eye done, dehydrated! Drink fluids before you leave the recovery area. I am so glad you can see better I was amazed at how bright colors can be. Tip : get yourself a good pair of sun glasses!

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  3. Great news, Red! I'm glad you are already seeing better. As Linda says in her comment, your glasses will not suit your new vision in the eye you had operated on. Just do what she did, pop out the lens, or have your optometrist do it. After you get your other eye done, you may not need glasses at all, or you may need them just for reading. If you need them for reading, you could try a pair from the dollar store until you are given the all clear to get prescribed lenses. It takes about six weeks after surgery for all the swelling to go down and be ready for a permanent pair. The eyedrops schedule is gruelling, isn't it?

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  4. I'm glad it went so well and the next one is not long to wait. You'll feel like you have new eyes!

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  5. Wonderful that you can see again. Does it mean you won't need glasses?

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  6. Hello Red,
    I am glad you were able to get rides for your eye appts and surgery.
    My sister just had her cataracts surgery, I know about the eye drops and check ups. I hope your recover quickly! Take care, have a happy new week!

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  7. You described the process so well, Red. That is very helpful to those of us who haven't had that surgery yet.
    Hope the 2nd one goes as smoothly and you don't feel faint this time! Follow the rules and feel better soon!

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  8. I'm so glad you had it done and described the process here. I have cataracts and have been contemplating the prospects of surgery. I'm looking forward to updates here. Take care there.

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  9. So glad the surgery was successful. You are generous to share it all, because many of us will be going through it. I posted recently all the challenges going on in my life and it looks like I am taking care of granddaughter for some time as Daddy has COVID. We all missed you.

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  10. However inconvenient, glad your surgery went well. Haven't done it myself, but I've heard from many friends that it works like a charm.

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  11. I had the surgery done on both eyes (three weeks apart) a few years back, before the pandemic. I am so glad I can see as well as I can, since I have pretty advanced macular degeneration. The cataract surgery made all the difference. Congratulations! :-)

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  12. I am pleased for you that your first eye surgery was so successful. It gives me a good feeling for when I might have to have mine done.

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  13. That is great news about your eye. How wonderful for you!

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  14. Red, I've been through the whole thing, both eyes done, about 4 years ago. Your progress, so far, sounds just about like my own. When I had mine done the surgeon asked, before surgery, which vision I wanted when it was all finished ... distant or near. I chose distant and I'm happy I did so. No glasses needed when driving. I still need "readers" but that is no big deal. Of course, you can still get "progressive" prescription lenses and with those you can see distant and close up with the same pair of glasses. Hope all goes well with your second eye. Take care and keep us posted.

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  15. PS I forgot to answer your question, “Anybody notice I’ve been absent?” Well, here’s the deal: I follow several interesting bloggers, like you, Red, who are prolific posters. It’s all I can do to keep up with all the posts out there, so if you are gone for a few days I probably won’t notice it. Now, if it was SEVERAL WEEKS, I would definitely take notice. 😊

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  16. Glad it worked out well for you. The second will be a breeze.

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  17. Well done, Red. You will be 100% happy when the other eye is done.

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  18. How wonderful that your vision is so improved! (And yes...i did notice you were gone.)

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  19. Glad to hear that went well. I remember taking my mother to have hers done, it made a huge difference to her life.

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  20. You are a very brave guy Red Keith! I am so happy to hear that the surgery on the first eye went well and fingers crossed it will be the same with the right eye. Good luck!

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  21. I'm glad to hear the surgery went well and you have good vision! I wondered where you went!

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  22. These days it seems a routine surgery.

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  23. I write posts 2-3 weeks in advance so I'm never totally in the know. However, this past month for me has been nuts with doctor/dentist/fencing people. Sheesh! I hope things calm down a bit.

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  24. This is peace to learn that all went well eventually :)

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