A Whole New Meaning
Oct 08 '04 (Updated Oct 10 '04)
The Bottom Line Take care of your eyes. Please consult a specialist at the first sign of "floaters" or other trouble with your vision. Quick intervention can be crucial!
When the bullets are flying it is very wise to "keep your head down". For me those words have taken on a whole new meaning over the last several months.
In early May, Mrs. G and I were motoring along a peaceful country road in rural Pennsylvania. With no warning, a dark curtain began to cloud my vision. Within minutes I could see nothing with my right eye. I pulled to the side of the road and relinquished the wheel. Then it was a frantic search for the nearest blue and white "Hospital" sign.
Three states, three hospitals, and seven physicians later - I learned that my retina had spontaneously detached [http://www.eri.harvard.edu/htmlfiles/retdet.html#WI or http://www.vrmny.com/retinal_detachment.htm]. Not just in one or two spots - but in 7 or 8. The macular was already off so they dispatched me closer to home for corrective surgery.
On 5 May my retina surgeon performed a trans pars plana vitrectomy to repair the damage to my retina. The memory is not pleasant but anyone desiring the gory details can go to [http://www.vrmny.com/vitrectomy.htm]. She also inserted a tiny flexible synthetic band (schleral buckle) to counterbalance the forces working on the retina.
The procedures were done on an outpatient basis at a local hospital. They inserted an IV but administered only a local anesthetic. The surgical team even set up a monitor so that I could watch my eye being operated on. I declined their kind offer and lay there in ignorance with my good (left) eye tightly closed. Mrs. G drove me home a couple of hours later.
In addition to the usual surgical dressings, a perfluorocarbon or perfluoropropane gas was inserted into the eye. This required "positioning" with my head parallel to the floor for several days. [Not fun!]
My vision seemed to get better but then sort of stalled. It seems I had developed massive cataracts [http://www.allaboutvision.com/faq/cataracts.htm] from the first vitrectomy. This is not an uncommon complication. In August, a cataract surgeon removed the cataract and replaced the natural lens with an intraocular lens (IOL). Within a few days my vision improved immensely. I was much relieved.
My relief, however, was short lived. At my most recent appointment I learned that I have developed a new macular hole [http://www.vrmny.com/MH.htm] as well as epiretinal membrane (macular puckering) [http://www.vrmny.com/ERM.htm].
Bottom line - Columbus Day it is back to the OR for another round of vitrectomy surgery.
Recovery will entail "strict positioning" (i.e. keeping my head parallel to the floor) for at least a couple of weeks. I have special equipment that will appropriately orient and immobilize my head [http://www.vitrectomy.com]. This means tummy sleeping only with my head encased in a horseshoe-shaped cushion. I also have a chair/desk device that will keep me staring at the floor while out of bed. [While nothing compared to the implements of the Inquisition, these effectively translate into no reading, TV, or computer.]
The inactivity will likely drive me bonkers - OK, "more bonkers". I will try to be a "patient patient" but Mrs. G will undoubtedly deserve a medal for putting up with me.
Baby G is not an Epinionator but she must have been mind-reading some of your comments. Yesterday she brought me over both a portable CD player and a battery-powered tape player. This afternoon, Mrs. G and I will make a final library run for more books on CD/tape. I am sure that those narrations will greatly ease my mind during recovery.
Thanks for your Epinions comments, prayers, and good wishes. May your Halloween be filled with more treats than tricks.
If all goes smoothly, I hope to be "seeing" you by early November. In the meantime . . .
Write On!
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Epinions.com ID:
gungian
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Location: Falls Church, Virginia
Reviews written: 222
Trusted by: 439 members
About Me:
10/16/06 - Life is hectic - but good! Write On!
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