Friday, March 31, 2017

The Eyes Have It

Remember that little ditty:  "I see said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw".   Seeing is a gift most of us have and I'm sure take for granted.  When it's gone you realize how much you depend on it.  This week Jack and I have been making trips to the Cleveland Clinic where he got treatment for a detached retina.  Jack's not new to eye issues. He had cataract surgery about 20yrs ago in both his eyes.  He's done very well since then but a detached retina is something that can happen because of cataract surgery.  Plus age, plus being near-sighted as a child, plus being male (more frequently happens to men than women) and a good dose of plain bad luck.   He had some mild symptoms and thought it was something that would go away.  Well, it's going away but that was after 1 1/2 hours of surgery to repair the retina.  We had to be up in Cleveland by 7am today, which meant leaving around 5:30 this morning.  We've had nothing but rain the past few days so we left even earlier just to make sure we'd be on time.  I'm not the best driver in the dark and rain so I told Jack to hold on and enjoy what I called "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride"!   It wasn't too bad but I noticed my shoulders hurting this afternoon from gripping the steering wheel! Ha!   The Doctors and staff were really wonderful.  I'm sure it was due in part to our good friend and Doctor at the hospital where I work..Dr. Gupta...calling ahead and making the arrangements.  I talked to him this afternoon and he said he also talked to the clinic and Docs and told them Jack was a very special person and to get him in quickly!  Way to go Dr. G!  I owe  him big time!  We have to head back up tomorrow morning but not as early.  In the mean time if you,or anyone you know, has had this type of surgery you know they inject a  gas bubble in the eye that stays in there for about a week to keep the repair in place.  What that means is you can't lift your head up for a week.  You have to look down at your feet all the time and sleep with your face down too.  This is not a fun thing and I know this week will be a challenge for Jack.  I'll be doing the driving and many other things around here but I know it will all be good by next week and he'll be back to his normal routines.  If he doesn't go nuts before then.  Jack is not a sit around kind of guy!
Wish us luck!

8 comments:

gin said...

So sorry about jack's eye. But sending prayers and thoughts for a speedy recovery. I have a friend, a female, who had the same problem. It was a scary situation for her as well.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, YaYa!

I'm glad I found out the details sooner rather than later. I was having all sorts of alarming "visions" about what might have happened to Jack. Thank God it is something that can be fixed. I am very sorry this happened and realize that both of you will face challenges and frustrations in the coming week. Hang in there. Take it one hour and one day at a time. Your lives will soon return to normal. I just discussed Jack's case with Mrs. Shady and she recalls rounding on post-op patients who had cataract surgery. They needed to sleep face down on special doughnut-shaped pillows with eye holes cut in them. You are a trouper for stepping up and driving Jack to and from Cleveland, this just after your long trip to Chicago! I admire your strength. The doctor who paved the way for Jack to be seen and treated in a timely manner is indeed a blessing. I will keep you and Jack in my prayers, dear friend. Have a safe week. Things will get better.

joeh said...

I've had the cataract thing on both eyes, the retina is even more scary, but today's doctors and equipment are amazing, hope it all comes out well.

betty said...

Oh my gosh! I can't imagine looking down or sleeping like that! Hoping the week goes by quickly and smoothly for Jack! So glad he was able to get the care he needed too for it at the Cleveland Clinic. Praying for a quick and speedy recovery (and week) for him (and you too!)

betty

Linda said...

Since last December, my hubby, my twin sister, and I have all had cataract surgery. My hubby also had glaucoma surgery. None of us were told to sleep on our tummies with our head down. The only thing we couldn't do was drive for 2 days. Our surgeon was great, and he treated us all like 'old' friends! From my regular eye dr. he treats all of his patients like 'old' friends, and he never forgets a name!

I'm glad Jack got his eyes done. This week will be over before you know it!

Julia said...

Oh dear Yaya, our eyes are such a precious gift and we tend to take them for granted until something like this happens. I'm sorry about Jack having these problem with his eyes and I hope he'll heal really fast. My sister had detached retina and had to go to another city for treatment in the middle of winter but is OK now. She also had to keep her head down and sleep with her head down.

I'll keep Jack in my prayers for speedy recovery. It will all come to pass and he'll see with new eyes before Easter.
Sending blessings, prayers and hugs.
Julia

Christina said...

Oh man. That sounds like that would be soo difficult! It seems like he would need an adjustment after that!

Gabriela said...

Wishing you all the best !