First off this morning I had a dye test. It has another official name, but I can't spell it so I won't even try. <G> They do an IV and inject yellow dye. The dye immediately goes to they veins in the eye and they take a bunch of pictures. The pictures and the dye allow them to see where the extra, fragile veins are and which ones are bleeding. The bleeding is what causes the floaters in my eye. I was thinking that part was better. I dilated my eye on the way in to the appointment so I would be ready for the test and the wait time was less in the office. Seems like we spent a LOT of time waiting this morning. My appointment was for 8:45 and we left the Eye Center about noon.
After the dye test, they did an OCT test. This is where they are able to look at the 9 levels of the retina to determine damage. I told the technician doing that test that I liked the light show. It was pretty neat. Reminded me of fireworks on July the 4th.
After the OCT test, we went back to the waiting area and waited some more. Finally the doctor came in. He said the next step is surgery. I asked him if the surgery would repair my eye and I'd be able to see better. He said all he is trying to do is prolong the sight I have right now. I told him I really struggle to read and his reply was, "I don't doubt that." He rattled off the official names of what he plans to do in the surgery (I have them written down). He plans 3 major things.
1) Drain all the fluid out of my eye and sterelize it
2) more laser surgery to get rid of fragile veins
3) steroid shot
He left the decision whether or not to have the surgery up to me and of course I said "Let's do it. I want to keep my vision as long as I can even if its no better than what it is right now."
I then went to talk to the diagnostician who is the one who schedules the surgery at the local hospital. The surgery is scheduled for Feb 4 at 11:30 a.m. I have to go to the Eye Center on Feb 3 for a pre-op and then to the hospital for a pre-op. For a person who hates needles like I do, I sure am getting poked a LOT. I warned the nurse this morning before she even attempted to do the IV that I have terrible veins. Everyone says they are small and break if and when they do find one. True to form she had to poke me several times before she could find a vein that didn't break. For all of you who remember how I used to scream and holler and even bit the doctor's thumb once, you would have been proud of me for calmly sitting there relaxed and letting her poke me several times. Just goes to show miracles really do happen. <G>
I ask that y'all keep me in your prayers. I admit that even though I might sound pretty calm about all this, I have a lot of concerns. One of my big concerns is the loss of my income and how that will affect our financial situation. I know God has taken care of me in the past and He certainly won't abandon me now. I try not to worry about stuff and most of the time I don't. However this is a bit more serious than some stuff I've faced in the past.
Art and I have already been checking into various resources for the blind in this area. I will be applying for SS after I have this surgery. The doctor suggested waiting until after the surgery before making a decision to quit working. It is already a struggle to read the computer and complete the different forms necessary in working with my clients. Thank goodness for magnifying glasses. I always have one on hand.
I thank the Lord for Art, too. I don't know what I would do if he wasn't here to help. I have not been driving since just before Thanksgiving. That means Art gets up every morning about 6:00 and takes me into work, then comes back and gets me at 4:00 p.m. That's about 40 miles each way. Sometimes he will take his laptop in and stay in the office all day. I know that is so boring for him, but he never complains. He also does a lot fo stuff around the house. You don't realize just how much you depend on your vision until something happens. He also is learning to read labels for me. He even took me to Hobby Lobby today to spend a gift certificate that i received for my birthday. He never said one complaining word even tho I walked all over the store more than once trying to find something. He patiently read price tags for me. He never made any negative comment about the stuff I looked at even though I KNOW he thought some of the stuff was pretty wierd.
I have never regretted marrying him even though I know a lot of people thought I'd gone over the edge by marrying someone I met on the internet. I believe meeting Art was one way God was taking care of me. What in the world would I have done if I was all alone? Giving up driving and some independence has been hard on me. You won't find me admitting that very often either. I know I've been (still am) pretty stubborn and independent. Those qualities have helped me to survive lots of things.
If anyone has some software that will read messages to you just lying around that you aren't using, feel free to send it to me. <G> I can make good use of it. We have also been looking into low visual aides, but they are so expensive. I don't know what we will do about them.
I've rambled enough so will close this. Again I ask that you all keep Art and I in your prayers. Thanks, Ruth
