Looking up!
Not physically, mind you. But after three full days with all the new drops, my eyes really seem to be improving such that the only time I need to do any eyedrops is when I'm scheduled to. The eyesight is still the same but there is no discomfort and I can continue on with my life. For example, I drove back and forth tonight to a restaurant where we met friends for dinner.
Of course, I've learned that whatever I feel doesn't count. It's what the doctors objectively see on Wednesday that counts. Thus we all wait a few more days for that determination.
Life is really quiet now. Having wrapped up the den this past week, there really isn't much to do. This week I'm supposed to look at start working on our friend's bathroom.
So, it's very quiet, but appears to be very positive.
I can live with that...
Bob
October 22, 2010 12:30 AM
In the beginning...
And that's exactly what it was two years ago this evening as the doctors tarted to try to find what was causing my hemoglobin count to be half what it should be. For the first time in my life I was given a blood transfussion(little did I know that there were many more to come). But, I said to myself, that it can't be that bad if two pints of blood can "fix" you up.
So, there I lay in the cardio ward as they were afraid that I might have a heart attack or something and they were watching me like a hawk. Needless to say, the evening passed uneventfully and they began in earnest the next day to seek the source of my problem.
There are only three possible paths here. Either something was destroying my hemoglobin, I was losing it, or I was not making it. The tried the first two paths with no success and were at a loss as to what the problem was. For me this was rather unnerving as I had not been in the hospital in over 30 years and no one had ever found anything wrong with me. It was somewhat surreal to say the least.
Every day from now on reflects back on another step in the process to ascertain my problem and to fix it.
It's hard to believe that it's been two years. It's gone by fast and yet it's gone by slow as well.
And each year I can't help but relive those initial days once more. And each year is a gift that I don't deserve but one that I have been given.
What a two year ride it has been. And the ride continues...
Bob
Bob
And that's exactly what it was two years ago this evening as the doctors tarted to try to find what was causing my hemoglobin count to be half what it should be. For the first time in my life I was given a blood transfussion(little did I know that there were many more to come). But, I said to myself, that it can't be that bad if two pints of blood can "fix" you up.
So, there I lay in the cardio ward as they were afraid that I might have a heart attack or something and they were watching me like a hawk. Needless to say, the evening passed uneventfully and they began in earnest the next day to seek the source of my problem.
There are only three possible paths here. Either something was destroying my hemoglobin, I was losing it, or I was not making it. The tried the first two paths with no success and were at a loss as to what the problem was. For me this was rather unnerving as I had not been in the hospital in over 30 years and no one had ever found anything wrong with me. It was somewhat surreal to say the least.
Every day from now on reflects back on another step in the process to ascertain my problem and to fix it.
It's hard to believe that it's been two years. It's gone by fast and yet it's gone by slow as well.
And each year I can't help but relive those initial days once more. And each year is a gift that I don't deserve but one that I have been given.
What a two year ride it has been. And the ride continues...
Bob
Bob
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
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
October 18, 2010 10:55 PM
And another one bites the dust!
Actually 2! The den was finished today reducing the number of rooms to be redone down to one. This is our office area. And... Since we really haven't decided what we're going to do, it will take awhile before this gets completed. Fortunately, its not in such a condition that we can't live with it for a while.
Secondly, afer I don't know how many years, our printer finally went. So, it was off to get another one which I will install tomorrow. It just never seems to end. Computers go, hard drives go, monitors go, now its a printer. Its such a pain to replace these things - but a necessary evil.
Healthwise, the eyes are kind of holding their own. I haven't noticed much improvement over the past few days. However, they haven't seemed to get any worse either. Its a standoff. Wednesday will provide with a definitive medical update as to their status.
For the rest of the week, its R and R in order to get ready for working on our friends bathroom. That starts sometime next week I guess.
A quiet weekend although my son and his daughters came to visit yesterday. He really wanted to watch the football game with someone while my wife entertained the kids. I have to admit that it was quite a sacrifice for me to watch it with him - who am I kidding!!!!
Unlike yesterday's game, I want to make sure that I beat this thing in regulation time - no overtime for me...
Bob
Actually 2! The den was finished today reducing the number of rooms to be redone down to one. This is our office area. And... Since we really haven't decided what we're going to do, it will take awhile before this gets completed. Fortunately, its not in such a condition that we can't live with it for a while.
Secondly, afer I don't know how many years, our printer finally went. So, it was off to get another one which I will install tomorrow. It just never seems to end. Computers go, hard drives go, monitors go, now its a printer. Its such a pain to replace these things - but a necessary evil.
Healthwise, the eyes are kind of holding their own. I haven't noticed much improvement over the past few days. However, they haven't seemed to get any worse either. Its a standoff. Wednesday will provide with a definitive medical update as to their status.
For the rest of the week, its R and R in order to get ready for working on our friends bathroom. That starts sometime next week I guess.
A quiet weekend although my son and his daughters came to visit yesterday. He really wanted to watch the football game with someone while my wife entertained the kids. I have to admit that it was quite a sacrifice for me to watch it with him - who am I kidding!!!!
Unlike yesterday's game, I want to make sure that I beat this thing in regulation time - no overtime for me...
Bob
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