You know that question was rhetorical. Who doesn’t want to sleep with a cyborg in bright pink PJs? For those of you who are new to my blog, I had three bad things happen recently. My husband was laid off from the oil industry, my beloved mother in law died and I unexpectedly needed eye surgery to treat a subcapsular cataract that had formed in my left eye. Everything had to happen quickly to take advantage of our existing health insurance and last week I had eye surgery on Wednesday.
We turned up at the clinic and things proceeded quite quickly…until they couldn’t find a vein. After two attempts, the charming southern anesthetist was called and inserted the IV. This meant that my pre medication, commonly known as a medical margarita, was late in being delivered. The schedule was a bit off and suddenly I was being raced into the operating theater. Before that, I had been asked on numerous occasions which eye it was, confirmed my identity and was reassured that no-one was going to take out a kidney. From previous procedures I knew I wasn’t as Margarita ‘happy’ as I usually am and was a little concerned.
I was taken first to the laser which was going to chop up the cataract and the remains are vacuumed out. Despite the numbing drops and the pre-med I was completely aware of what was happening and could even feel a slight burning at the end of the laser procedure. Utterly terrified I kept completely still and followed all instructions. Then I went across the room to another bed where the new lens was implanted into my eye (until death, I hope). I kept hoping the happy juice would kick in but no….I was utterly aware of everything. It was like torture but with no pain. I felt the various procedures, one by one and although it was fast it felt like an eternity.
At the end, the operating staff said I was a perfect patient. I can only hope I react the same way at my next torture session when China finally invades the US or whatever other scenario the crazy people envisage. The next day I saw my eye surgeon for a follow up and even he looked horrified that I had been quite so awake. They need you to be in a twilight zone so that you can follow instructions precisely but feel relaxed. This was not like Lasik – then I was so happy I thought I could fly.
The very nice silver lining is that my sight has been restored and I am writing this WITH NO READERS! My baby blues still look adorable and I am recovering very quickly. Drove to the surgeon the following day; been out for my long walk with sunglasses and a hat. I have myriad eye drops to take for weeks to come to prevent infection, inflammation and general mayhem. This is America – it cost a fortune but it was done almost immediately and by an excellent surgeon who I could choose. We paid extra to have the laser seal the wound with no stitches which usually means a quicker recovery with less complications and discomfort.
They had to dilate my eye hugely for the surgery and I looked like a Betazoid on Star Trek with one enormous black eye. This photograph was taken the next day and even the surgeon was surprised that it was so dilated. When I was young and frisky, guys used to ask me if my eyes were black but I was just so excited that my pupils dilated hugely. Perhaps they still do…. 🙂
Finally – many thanks to all my followers who have been so solicitous about my surgery and other health problems. It has been much needed salve in my current wounds and has helped keep me afloat in a very difficult time in my life. It is hard to imagine the kindness of strangers and those who have become good friends. It is a testament to the goodness of people and I very much appreciate every single comment and ‘like’.
PS My surgeon’s name was Kwok and he marked my eye to make sure they did the left one.
I’m pleased you are OK The eyes are always a concern with any kind of surgery. Your sight would be an awful thing if one loses this sense. I shudder to think. The main thing is that you are ok and recovering well.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you so much. I have some headaches but I think that might be some congestion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Feeling better is the main thing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, sweetie. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, now I’m extremely jealous! I’ve still got a bit of double vision and I’ve got to wait another month before they take out the stitches. Thrilled to hear it went so well but slightly horrified by just how aware you were. x
LikeLiked by 3 people
It was expensive and we live in an area with many fantastic surgeons. Despite the terror I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My hero 💛
You are a testament to, when things go wrong hang in there..
😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Pan. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear that you’re doing much better Kerry. Eye surgery can be a royal pain. Sorry to hear that your husband was laid off, I’ve got some serious catching up to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He worked in the oil industry…life is fickle. Things will pick up eventually, they always do. And, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like your right eye was done Kerry, not the left! Hope all is better now
Liben xx
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the mirror – it was definitely the left eye!!! Doing much better, thank you, K x
LikeLike
The perspective is if you were standing behind Kerry looking in the mirror.. left is left right is right..
Only if you were standing facing Kerry ( no mirror involved ) would the perspective change to left is right and right is left..
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should watch out letting us stand behind you, someone’s bound to pinch your butt 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Teddy has been taking advantage of the lack of peripheral vision and touching what he can’t afford… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you’re doing fine. That’s a great picture of you as a pink pajama pirate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Patrick!
LikeLike
Really glad to see you still being so wittily stoical in the fact of adversity. Complete star! Best wishes with your recuperation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Nick. I am getting there…slow but sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take it nice and easy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chillin’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh this is SUCH good news to read on a lazy Sunday morning (in readers) …. keep recovering well and don’t lose the ability to over-dilate 😉 xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Osyth. I think my eyes do dilate… LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you got the eye surgery done as quickly as possible. The oil industry is really suffering at this time and it’s a worry for folks who are employed in the oil sector. I hope something turns up for him to do asap. It’s not easy to adapt from going to work and stopping work. All the very best and blessings. Jacqueline
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Jacqueline.
LikeLike
I am thrilled the surgery turned out so well and you are recovering. You my dear are one hot Betazoid! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why thank you, kind sir!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its amazing how fast the eye heals. I went to the ER once and the DR said I “carved the grand canyon in my cornea!” 2 days later, all set! I’ll never forget how much it hurt though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do have a blazing face ache but think it is sinusitis and that bloody cybernetic device. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to have an eye rinse for my injury, and the saline was ice cold! I know what you mean about the ache!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am going to go out for a walk and hope that clears it. I can’t take anti-histamines because that inhibits the healing process. And I live in a forest full of allergens, damn! 🙂
LikeLike
Glad to hear your surgery went well and that you are feeling better!
Big hug, ciao! 🙂
LikeLike
Grazie, grazie!
LikeLike
I certainly hope all your problems vanish soon!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Thank you. 🙂
LikeLike
Glad the surgery went well. Now to get past the healing and face ache.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m just so impatient…but thank you Peggy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad the worst is over now, Kerry! That was a lot to go through, but hopefully you will heal fast and feel better soon, and your vision will be hugely improved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Leah. There is a big difference in my vision already.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess Dr. Kwok is better than Dr. Kwak….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha, ha, ha. What a wag!
LikeLike
Glad all good, even with black eye and kwok marks….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Cameron. The mark of Kwok is gone now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh really? That was the most fun part, along with looking like a member of the Borg with the big dilated pupil!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad to know you are recovering well Kerry.
LikeLike
Thank you so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Like torture but with no pain” … A bit like being at the dentist ….? We hate all these moments, yet we very ‘happily” go ahead … Glad you did, feel good, and have a better vision!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Florence. As soon as these procedures are over we forget all about them, thank goodness!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goodness yes!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you were able to get the surgery so soon. How horrifying that you were so awake during the operation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Margarisa. At least there was no pain. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been accused of sleeping with anyone. so I’m not the right person to reply. lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
EXCUSE ME!! You are a cheeky chimp…
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
glad to hear it went well and may I say, sexy eye-patch 😉
LikeLike
Why thank you, Dagmar!
LikeLike
I’m so glad to hear your surgery went well. You look adorable with that eye patch. I had laser surgery on my eyes a few years ago and it might have been the scariest few minutes of my life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John. Now I can finally sleep without it – huge headaches have gone. I had Lasik about 11 years ago but was happy, happy, happy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Best money I ever spent
LikeLiked by 1 person
So happy to hear you are happy and shining!! 😀
Surgeries can be a very hectic & scary thing. And you were such a nice patient, in spite of being so aware during the surgery.
Wishing you great days ahead with your fantastic spirit 😀 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so kind of you. My vision improves a little every day and I go for a check up today. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great to hear!! 😀 And I hope you only got the best news after check up 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is healing nicely and thank you again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome!! Big hugs & kisses ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Geez, you have not had much luck with your eyes lately! 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😦
LikeLike