Here I sit at the ophthalmologist’s office to see how my new I.O.Lens is working. Yesterday, I joined 27 others, patiently waiting for relief in their serious, disgruntled state of blurry vision. My first time was three weeks ago, and I was given 20/20 vision in my right eye, so I now know what it feels like to get my eyesight back after several years of blurred, painful, scratchy, and extremely dehydrated eyes. I was initially informed that these two operations were not available until two years from last October 2024, that’s when I sat down and cried an ocean; or at least tried to, with closed-up tear ducts! Although my tear ducts were extremely dehydrated, my hubby assisted in dispensing the specially prepared eye drops six times a day, along with two separate ointments for nighttime. After the initial surprise when I was informed that my surgery date was on January 6, I was ecstatic learning that it was only a month away; however, I didn’t have my guardian angel with me for my surgical checkup, and the Surgeon postponed me until my eyes were more hydrated! At this point, he sent me home, tearless and discombobulated. I had been working so hard at getting these #BlueEyes less dry and bloodshot; then, finally, on April 23 was given the nod for my first surgery. It went off without any problems and after three weeks has healed nicely, to the point where I can see distances and bright landscapes. It’s awesome to have your sight restored to the point of 4K, 20/20 vision. If all goes well with my second cataract surgery today, only three weeks apart, I should have the same vision in my left eye. I’m not allowed to perform any of the following:
-NoBENDINGOVER
-NoLIFTING
-NotTRAIPSINGAROUND
-NO SHOWER use your back only on Wednesday, Thursday Friday.
Thankfully, I had washed my hair and this entire senior’s body the day of the surgery! When I reported to the Surgical Operating Unit, it was like old home week, at the hospital for us #secondtimers (95% of the patients ), all knowing, intellectuals. As they were exchanging #warstories, and sharing #thatswhatIhave too, we were slowly called into the Operating Room, one by one! I was number 20, quickly prepared with oxygen, an IV, and heart monitors, and at 2:45, I was me being given sedation and strapped into a head brace with strong tape, no moving allowed. Within minutes, the surgeon was digging into my eye, and minutes later, done! Slapped an eye patch that makes you look like a creature from #startrek #cyborg and in a level 6 pain. Trust me about the pain level, as I have endured #Chronicpain for over thirty years and deal with it by various means, mostly exercise, daily affirmations, and a minimum of meds, and #triggerpointinjections. I did get a #migraine from the procedure, but was finally able to rid myself after using my medication at home.
Overall, I am very pleased with the progress and the outcome of the surgeries. It’s been three weeks to the day of my first surgery, and it is still healing, although the brightness and clear vision have been a Godsend! I was entirely blind in my right eye, so the results can only be described in one word #wondrous
And the second eye has been examined today by the very competent surgeon, #DrDanielCote stating he is thrilled with my progress to date. So no BLT for me, just resting my eyesight and body until the weekend. I’m fine with that, as I completed the majority of all tasks required in the home prior to Mother’s Day and enjoyed a lovely meal with my Siemko men on the night before.
Here’s to modern technology and medicine that enabled this type of surgery, which allowed me, along with my 27 other cohorts, the time to chat away their fears while waiting their turn in the O.R. with the surgeon. The last point of oddities in a clinical situation was the fact that you were never given any hospital gowns, funny shoe covers, yet we were outfitted with a hairnet and wore our street clothes. Just different from the other visits and surgeries that I have attended. Hopefully, this left eye will recover as quickly as my other, and I will only have to use readers for the rest of my life.
#cataracts #surgery #danielcote #oakvillehospital
#nursesareunderpaid #opticalsurgery
Gail Siemko 