The humorless doctors and news scoffed at my request for a pirate-like patch. Instead, I got this cheap, ugly, and uncomfortable plastic shield.
I was told sternly not to strain my eye (or eyes) today, to rest, and to see the doctor in the morning to have my yellow shield removed.
I didn’t need to get knocked out.
The surgery itself took about nine almost entirely painless minutes. I got a mild sedative, but no anesthesia and I was grateful for that. I felt and saw everything, but it went by quickly and was a colorful light show. I felt like I was floating in space.
It took a little over two hours from sign-in to wheelchair-outs, and I had to do it again with my left eye in early September. Even though I saw it, I couldn’t believe that Doctor Solomon was replacing a part in my eye, and I was wide awake and watching.
It’s not true that this is simple and no surgery is, but it’s a walk in the park compared to open heart surgery. It is unsettling to have somebody stick even the tiniest knife in the eye while you watch, and it happened so fast I wasn’t sure it had happened at all.
I have to see the doctor early tomorrow to get checked over, and I was urged to take it easy to sleep and try not to strain my eyes. Nuts to that, I’m back at work. The shield goes in the morning.
I felt like one of those first cars in one of Henry Ford’s assembly lines; they go from one eye to the next all day. Having diabetes and heart disease, there were some hoops to jump through for me ahead of any kind of surgery, including this one.
But the good news was that when my strict, take-no-prisoners nurse asked me to confirm my age—77—she said, “Wow, you really don’t look that; you look as healthy as a horse!” I’m not sure that’s a compliment, but I was glad to hear it. She didn’t see me smile.
So, it’s back to work for me. Maria has had enough of nursing me and is back in her studio, where she belongs. Thanks to her for driving me and bringing me back.
I protested being taken out in a wheelchair, but the nurse explained that my shoes had manure on the bottoms; they didn’t want them touching the floor. I explained it was donkey manure, but that didn’t matter. The nurse looked at me strangely.
The real test will be to see if I can take some flower photos with one eye and blinding light in the sunlight.
I have no doubts, and I love this photo Maria took when she stopped to buy me an herbal iced tea. There will be a nap somewhere in here. First, here are the Cambridge Pantry Food Requests for today.
Thanks for the good wishes and kind notes. It’s true; it’s not that big a deal. I will be glad to get the other eye done and see how the renovated one is doing.
Glad you are on the other side and doing well!
My first thought also was *what the heck? he’s never said he’s an alcoholic TOO*! I chalk it up to *Jon* …..with only one working eye today…….and just let it go at that 🙂 It made me smile though! Glad first surgery done. I was puzzled though that you said it was a *painless 9 minutes*……and subsequent sentence said *it’s not simple or painless*………hmm………. I hope it *was* pain free! You’ll be back in full swing quickly…….I sense that already!
Susan M
Good point Susan , what I meant was that any surgery is painful to some degree there’s no such thing as completely painless surgery but as far as surgery goes, it was really not very painful at all and I’m feeling no pain now. Open heart surgery hurts for a good long while that’s my frame of reference. Somebody sticking a needle in your eye however gently doesn’t feel great while you can’t move your head or speak, but it worked out well and I’m doing fine and it’s a good thing to have done. I am already seeing color in a very different way and have no regrets.
never even remotely thought you were an alcoholic, Jon! not ever. I knew it was probably *post surgical babble* if I may refer to it as such! Glad you are doing well!
Susan M
I am having this issue with my new AI software, Susan, it sometimes inserts words I didn’t use. Or maybe I did it, I wouldn’t be surprised. had plenty of babble today but I can’t imagine ever calling myself an alcoholic that came out of nowhere. Thanks for your message, you are always thoughtful and meaningful.
Your cataract surgery seems like it was more complicated than mine. I’m jealous that I didn’t get a plastic shield, I got nothing but eye drops. A plastic shield sounds like a lot more fun
A patch would have been better. It went well thanks.
When I had my cataract surgery it felt like I was on an assembly line. Prep me, roll me to surgery area, replace my eye lenses, wheel me out the door. And tomorrow morning we all meet at the doc’s office for a checkup that was even shorter than the surgery.
In the very beginning of my operating room nursing career many years ago, the patient after having cataract surgery, had to lie flat in bed with his head between two small sand bags for a week! Can you imagine? Times have changed
That’s amazing Linda, thanks for
Told ya it wouldn’t be bad! Glad you’re doing well and enjoying all the beautiful colors (and thanks for sharing the awesome photos of your flowers, especially the roses).
I’m so proud of you for not cleaning your shoes ahead of the surgery…!! XOXO 😂
Life in a farm