October 20, 2010 11:05 PM

A difference of opinion and mine doesn't count!

I went to Mass Eye and Ear today to have my eyes checked. I thought that I was doing fairly well well except that the doctors did not agree.

I thought that three of my tear duct plugs had fallen out - but I was wrong. Only two had - the upper ones. Upon examining them they decided that it was impossible to put new plugs in so they took the wonderful approach of cauterizing them! It sounds somewhat dauntig and painful, I know. But... In reality it really was painless - either that or I have become so insensitive to pain at this point that I couldn't feel anything anyway.

The doctors still classified my dry eye as "severe" which means that I am now on two more eye drops in an effort to stem the tide. One of the concoctions is a homegrown item so that insurance doesn't cover it. How lucky can I get!!! In any case, they said to try it for a while and, if it doesn't work, they'll shelve it! However, they won't refund my money. Such a deal.

Also, I have managed to scratch the cornea on my right eye which means that I now have to wear a special contact lens for the next week to that shields the eye and induces healing. We have to go back to Boston next Wednesday to see if, indeed, healing has started to take place.

All in all, a long day. How do I feel now? I feel fine. But I felt that way going in and the doctors chose to disagree with me. I did ask if I would ever get back the ability to make my own tears and, in a nutshell, the feeling was that it was unlikely - though not impossible. Is it the end of the world? I don't feel that way as I can fully function at this point and there is no reason to think that I won't be able to in the future.

I'll maintain the spirit that I have always had and continue to takeit one day at a time, doing what the doctors say, and awaiting the consequences.

Considering that two years ago I was about to go into the hospital with an unlnown ailment that was causing my hemoglobin to be abnormally low, I've come a long way...

Bob