August 16, 2012
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The Laser Surgery
TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM
Today was the big day. The first of three laser treatments to my retina (the back of the eye is the actual retina). The purpose was to get rid of the fold and scar tissue to prevent any more bleeding into my eye. There hasn’t been a lot of that, thankfully, but any is too much.
I actually had an anxiety attack the night before. I’d never had one before but I recognized what it was and took a pill to relax me and talked myself into not being so afraid. I don’t think I have ever been afraid of surgery before. But this was my first experience with a laser and I did have a question. Mainly, I wondered what it would do to the implant in my eye from the glaucoma surgery. But I got a very simple explanation about why it would have no effect. Have you ever used a magnifying glass to burn something? The focus of the magnifying glass is the only part that causes any effect. You can put your hand through that beam of focused light and nothing happens. It’s just what it’s focused on that there’s an effect. I found that amazing from what I had imagined a laser was able to do.
I took my prescribed meds on the way to the doctor’s office like I had been told. I was still a bit scared but I knew it had to be done. The doctor had shown me the pictures of my retina and the area that was going to be worked on. What DID shock me when he was ready to start is he told me each treatment would be approximately 500 laser hits. My eye was very dilated and extremely well numbed when he started. He told me if it got too uncomfortable for me, to just tell him and we would take a break. I could feel the laser hits and there was mostly pressure. He hit one spot, however, that I said, *Ouch! That hurt!* He stopped and told me it was just a sensitive area.
By the time I have all three treatments, I will have been hit by the laser 1500 times. Weird for so small an area of attention. I hope it does the job or the only alternative is surgery. I saw eye surgery on one of the information channels a few years ago and THAT scares the hell out of me. I’m praying this does the trick.
I felt mostly tired on my way home. However, when I walked out of the car and into the house, I had to immediately lay down to keep from vomiting. I’m not sure if it was because of the anxiety or all the medications, including the topical ones. I fell asleep for a short time but my stomach was under control when I woke up. I ate lightly and found I was extremely tired. I hadn’t slept well the night before (part of the anxiety on my part) but having had the first surgery and found almost no paid, I was ready to make up for that. I used the drops prescribed (the doctor said to be sure to use four drops by bedtime to hasten the eye feeling normal). I’ll take one last drop after I get this posted and go to bed.
At least now I know what to expect. My appointment for the second treatment is on Friday at 9:30am…ugg! Too early. I may have to keep Chewlee for a sleepover tomorrow (Thursday) because of leaving so early on Friday. I’ll have to check with the Princess to see if it’s an early shift for her on Friday or the later one. Chewlee has been dying for a sleepover so she would be happy. I’m just not sure that the Beast will be.
Love you all. Thanks for any prayers offered up for me. Keep ‘em coming until I’m all done.
