Doctor Follow-up

Today, I had my 3 week checkup with Dr Daly. My right eye is progressing very well. When he did the eye test, there were many more letters and numbers that I could read with only my right eye. That is good news. He told me that I should see small incremental changes every week and to come back and see him in one month. He said that because I followed the post op rules of "face down" recovery so diligently, that my eye is healing better than expected at this point in time. So..I feel good that I did my best after surgery and that all is looking good.

As brutal as the recovery period is, please learn from my situation to follow the doctor's advice and be as face down as much as possible.

And don't ever hesitate to call me or email me if you or a friend or relative will need this surgery and wants to talk about it. My goal in this blog is to help others who may need advice and encouragement!

Day 15

Free at last! Just finished my last face down day. The little gas bubble is almost gone so I declared myself free to lift my head up. Tonight I get to sleep on my back and my sides. Oh heaven!

Bill still doesn't think that I should drive yet but that is OK with me, as long as I can be vertical again, I am a happy camper. I think I will take Dakota for a walk around the neighborhood.

I truly feel like a POW who has just been freed.

My Dr appt is next Monday and I will update this blog as to what he has to say. I also know that the vision in my right eye is supposed to improve every day over the next 90 days. I'll keep everyone posted on that as well.

It is my sincerest hope that others can use this blog if they will be be undergoing eye surgery. I have put the appropriate labels on it so that it should show up under an Internet search. Also, if you have any friends or family who can benefit from my experience--please give them the link to the blog.

Well, back to walking around and enjoying the view.

I so appreciate all the cards, emails, facebook messages etc.... They all lifted my spirits

Love, Judy

Day 14

Today marks the 2 week period as my surgery was Tues morn 2 weeks ago. My expectations were that I would be face down for one week, not two. I think I still have a few days left. The bubble is now about 15-20 left. The two very annoying little bubbles from yesterday are gone--they went away mid day yesterday.

I have been gathering, purging, filing and organizing for the past two days. I removed all my personal stuff from my business office and created a personal office upstairs in the loft that we have that overlooks the stairs. I walked around the house and gathered up all the loose ends--camera, ipod, papers, receipts etc... and now have everything filed and organized in Judy's office. It felt really good to do that.

We also have a ton of greeting cards for all occasions that were just all thrown together. I sat on the floor with the cat and we sorted them all out and organized so now I can easily find a card to send without going thru all of them. Little things like this that make our life easier.

No visitors yesterday but have some friends coming over today. And Marcie to be here for a few hours to do some client work.

Bill had his fantasy football draft last night so he was able to get away for a few hours.

Happy Labor Day to everyone. End of summer. Weather is cooler. That's a good thing for all the fires in the state.

Hugs.

Day 13

I awoke to a new development in the eye this morning. Two little gas bubbles are now attached to the main bubble and they travel around the perimeter of the larger gas bubble. It is really annoying and makes for a weird vision field. OH well. Guess it is all a part of the healing process.

Not much new here. Bill took a few hours leave from my side and attended a bday party yesterday. I was glad that he got out of the house for awhile. We actually turned the air cond on for the whole day yesterday. It was really nice in the house.

Laura Pahl came by with turkey chili, bread, cookies and flowers. So sweet of her. We will have the turkey chili tonight. I know that Bill appreciates not having to cook.

His oldest grandchild spent the night with us and Marcie and Gary came over and cooked kung pao chicken for all 5 of us. It was very good. But my mouth still has not healed from the sores inside so it was a little uncomfortable afterwards.

Marcie brought some Stephen Colbert CDs to listen to. I love that guy so that should help pass the time today.

I wish that the two little outlier bubbles were all that is left, then I would know I was almost there. Sigh!

Have a good one today.

Lv, Judy

Day 12

Labor Day weekend--the end of summer. How I hated to see this weekend arrive when I was a kid in school. Now, I look forward to the fall and escaping to Borrego Springs and the beautiful fall time in the desert--every chance I can get. First..............I need to get this eye all healed.

S0, more face down for the next 4-5 days and then hopefully, I am home free.

My friend Sunny came over again yesterday and we talked for about 3 hours and she also made lunch for the three of us.

Denise arrived for massage time and I felt so much better after our 90 minutes together.

Bill grilled dinner and it was yummy. Then ,we watched a rented netflix ( I use my magic mirror) and it was an exceptional movie called Last Chance Harvey with superb performances by Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman. I highly recommend it.

Bill has a family bday party today and so Dakota and Daisy Mae and I will hang out alone for a few hours. Seems to be a bit cooler this morning.

I will be listening to my books on CD.

Eye bubble is probably 3/4 of the way gone. Yeah!!!! Why can't it go faster?????

Have a safe and very enjoyable weekend with whatever you are doing--hope it is with family and friends.

Hugs

Day 11

My--how the time does pass in spite of my impatience. Here I am on Day 11. Looking at the looong labor day weekend ahead when I know the time will pass so slowly.

Yesterday, my friend Sunny came by and we had a great visit. Sat in the backyard and drank green ice tea and ate ginger snap cookies.

Cheryl went back to Riverside yesterday, it was so much fun having her here for a few days and she got a lot of client work done.

The bubble in the eye is shrinking, thank goodness. Altho not as fast as I would like. Patience, patience, patience.

Bill has another massage scheduled for me this afternoon. So sweet of him. They sure help.

Listening to a new book called Hot, Flat and Crowded. This is a bit more technical and requires more concentration and is a long one. Will take up a fair amount of time. Deals with energy, global warming, world populations etc... and how the US needs to take the lead on going green. Very interesting.

I hope that everyone has a great 3 day weekend and stay cool. Sure has been hot and humid.

Love, judy

Day 10

Boredom and restlessness setting in big time. I just want to go somewhere or do something, like walking Dakota at the beach or sitting in Starbucks with some friends. Nothing extravagant, just ordinary everyday stuff. My feisty little french grandmother (91 when she died in 1980) used to tell me that one's health is the most important thing in the world. How true she was. I have taken my eyes for granted all my life--I think that now I will cherish them and make sure that I never put them in harm's way. They are the windows to the world.

Megan (Bill's daughter) came over yesterday and brought the three of us big salads from Claim Jumper. They were yummy. so sweet of her. They were so big that no one wanted dinner, we just grazed on fruit, crackers and cheese. Cheryl did a Costco run and got a big box of healthy choice fudge bars and low fat yogurt bars. So good on these hot days.

I think the bubble in the eye has decreased a little. Once it reaches the size of a bee bee (sp???) then I know I am home free and can start making eye contact again.

I hate to see Cheryl leave today--she really helps make the time go faster. But she has to get home to her hubby and pups in Riverside.

Savoring the first coffee of the morning and now back to face down in my massage chair. Almost thru listening to the Verdict by Grisham. Pretty entertaining.

Everyone have a great day.

Day 9

Well, have gotten over my little pity party and hunkered down to do the work of letting my right eye fully heal and that is to stay face down as much as possible.

The gas bubble that I see in the eye does appear to be a little smaller this morning. It's funny but according to my perception, the gas bubble is moving down the eye as it gets smaller but according to the Dr, it is actually moving to the top of the eye. Whaaaat???? Apparently, our brain reverses the picture that we see. Just some medical and scientific stuff that I thought I would share.

Gave Bill a grocery shopping list and sending him off to Trader Joe's this morning. We need BLUEBERRIES and lots of them.

Cheryl is heading to Costco to load up on the low fat yogurt bars that taste so good on these hot days.

Actually watched a netflix movie last night sitting in my massage chair and configuring the "magical mirror" that came with the torture equipment.

Sure wish I could do some exercise but I do keep up with yoga stretches during the day. Afraid to step on the scale!

Hugs from Judy

DR Appt Update

good news and bad news. Eye is healing well. The gas bubble is about 50% dissipated, which means that I have another 50% to go. So....... at least another week of face down. Oh My..I so wanted to hear that I had finisher this purgatory. I also have developed a lot of canker sores in my mouth so he took me off the antibiotic and steroid eye drops. I am now back to the massage face down chair and trying to imagine doing this for another week.

Dr does have quite a sense of humor and suggested that alcohol really helps one cope. I told him that I have a glass of chardonnay every evening and he told me to double it! I like this Dr.

Cheryl showed up today and it is fun having her here. She is a great sister and friend. And she came bearing presents for Bill, Dakota and I from Bend.

More tomorrow. Hugs XXXOOOO

Day 8

Well, it has been a week since the surgery altho it truly feels like a month. Time has passed so slowly. No change in the vision in the right eye altho I had a very encouraging email from a friend who said that he had no noticeable difference for at least 2 weeks after the surgery. So, I suppose that I must be patient. It is rather disconcerting however as I cover my left eye, I have almost no vision in my right eye at all. It's all a blur.

It was nice having Marcie here all day yesterday. She waited on me and did a lot of little stuff to help me out, like taking Dakota for a nice walk.

Denise came at 5pm and I was lucky enough to have another wonderful massage.

Listening the The Appeal on audio and it is a pretty interesting book, at least it helps pass the time.

Was able to rig up a mirror thingy last night and actually watch the CMA Music Fest for a few hours all the time being face down. It was totally cool! Especially for a country music fan like myself.

Dr appt today at 2PM. Hoping for some good news!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 7

So glad the long weekend is over. Had a surprise visit from Judy, Josh and Terry around 4pm yesterday. They came bearing a starbucks frap for me. It was nice to break the monotony of the day with them.

Right eye still the same--no way that I can read or focus with both eyes. Getting pretty nervous about the dr appt tomorrow. Bill read me a great devotional this morn from Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church (who I greatly love and admire). It was all about worry. Pretty apropos for me today.

This may be too much info but anyone doing this needs to take stool softeners. I did and am glad that I did. The inactivity really messes up your system.

Finished the 3 Cups of Tea yesterday and Greg Mortensen is my new hero. Makes you really think about all the money we have spent trying to combat terror in this world and he just does it one school, one village at a time. Fighting illiteracy sure makes much more sense.

Bill has business appts in L.A. all day but Marcie will be here with me. I will try to get her to take Dakota for a long walk. That dog has been my faithful companion and hardly ever leaves my side.

Cheryl will be here tomorrow, we have not seen each other in 2 months!!!!

Now listening to The Appeal by Grisham. And getting another massage today........

day 6

I thought that yesterday would never end. Why are the weekends so much harder to endure? Marcie came over with an iced coffee and chatted for awhile. Barb showed up at 5pm with our dinner, stuffed chicken breasts, quinoa and green beans and for dessert, raspberry sorbet. Scrumptious!

I am getting a little worried about the vision in right eye. I have not seen an y improvement for past 2 days. Dr indicated that I would be reading in a few days after surgery but no way that I can do that. I am still pretty much only using left eye as I still am blurry in right eye. We have a post op Dr appt n Tues at 2pm and I am getting pretty anxious to find out what is going on. Need to prepare myself emotionally that I may have to continue face down for all of next week. I have been telling myself that I would be out of this by Tues.

The good news from all this is that the cat is finally starting to accept and make some sort of peace with the dog. They both hang out a lot in the bedroom with me. And upstairs in the bedroom we have had the most beautiful breeze from the ocean all week so while the rest of San Diego is sweltering, I am very cool and comfortable.

Bills off to walk Dakota this morn and I will go back to my 3 Cups of Tea. I am on CD 6 out of 11. Remarkable book--I highly recommend it to all.

Back to enjoying my coffee. Hugs to all.

Day 5

Looong night last night. Could not get comfie and I had leg and toe cramps all night. I need to drink more water. Yesterday was a good day and it went fast (except for the night). I listened to my audio book (3 Cups of Tea) in morn. Bruce and Laura came at noon and brought me an iced coffee from Starbucks --so heavenly! Denise came at 1 and gave me a great massage, Barb showed up at 3 and washed my hair. Marcie and Judy came at 5pm with margarita and chips and guac. We all chatted until after 7 so my day was full and fast.

Today is Sat and the weekend looms menacingly--seems like forever until Monday. Vision a little better today but still cannot really read much as I can see that darn gas bubble floating around in right eye.

Dr appt is on Tues at 2pm. I so hope he tells me I am fine and can get on my with my life and back to a normal routine. The ordinary sounds so extraordinary to me now--I cannot wait.

Any and all visitors gratefully received and appreciated this weekend.

More later.....time to wake Bill up for coffee!

Day 4

I am praying that after today, I will be half way thru this torturous recovery process! 3 Audio books arrived yesterday courtesy of my sweet hubby. I started listening to 3 Cups of Tea last night and it is an exceptional book. So, that should occupy a lot of time today. I have abandoned the horseshoe shaped face contraption for sleeping and now just sleep face down in my pillow. I get up many times during the night to stretch out my lower back which gets really sore.

During the day, I do lots of yoga poses ((all face down, of course) and that sure helps. My friend, Barb, is coming over this aft to wash and blow dry my hair. Yeah! And Marcie and Judy are coming tonight with margaritas and chips and salsa. We will have our own little girly happy hour.

Still cannot focus well with right eye open so am continuing to keep it closed. Maybe tomorrow it will be better.

So many nice emails, phone calls and cards etc... I am a blessed woman to have such great friends and the BEST clients in the world. Love and hugs.

Day 3

short post, hard to type with one eye, Surgery went really well according to dr. got home on tues around 1pm wtih raging caffeine withdrawal headache, so coffee was a priority, not much pain, thank goodness. just a constant headache that tylenol helps keep un der control. Marcie and Gary visited tues as well as Megan who brought dinner for us and that was so appreciated. Carter wanted to see the hole in my eye and was terribly disappointed that it was all bandaged up.

had little sleep on tues nite, so hard to find a comfortable position. wed we took the bandage off but the eye is so blurry that i kept it closed all the time. makes me nauseous to look thru it, Judy, terry and josh visited in the afternoon and then Denise brought her massage table and gave me a wonderful massage, barb and Syd came at night with a huge pot of spaghetti sauce. that will be Thurs dinner. Mari Simms had come earlier in the day with homemade veggie soup. I am grateful for all the healthy food being brought over.

Last night I did better sleeping. You just have to constantly try different positions and pillows etc.. to find a short term sleeping arrangement. Sleep is fitful but it does come.

Dakota is my faithful guard dog. She is by my side 34/7 and barks at anyone who comes up the stairs. She and Daisy Mae are finally starting to be friends. It has only been 7 months!

Books on tape coming today so I will have something to help pass the time. Boredom now settling in BIG time. Eyesight a little better today, it should keep improving every day. Bill taking really good care of me except he gives me too much to eat and I am afraid I will gain weight. More later.......Love to all of you and thanks for encouraging and healing prayers.

Teamwork

Thanks to my great team of friends and family who are helping us out. A shout out to Mary Ann who is walking Dakota tomorrow while we are at the hospital and to Megan who will be bringing us a yummy dinner and to Marcie who is picking up the important prescriptions that are needed post op. It does indeed take a village.

We set up the torture equipment tonight so all is ready for tomorrow when we get home. Since we have a footboard on our bed, we had to position the "head holder" (much like a massage table) to be attached to the side of the bed, which means that I will be sleeping across the bed. It also means that there is no room for Bill, who will be taking the guest room for the next couple of weeks. Folks, I gotta tell you that it is not that comfortable! It will be a real challenge sleeping. Good thing I have some ambien left over from our Africa trip in 2008!

We also set up my new notebook computer so that I can blog and tweet and surf the net and check email much easier than my industrial strength laptop. This little notebook is a gem.

Off to bed and the last comfortable night for awhile, altho I suspect not that much sleep. Setting the alarm for 5:15am. More later...............................

Eye Surgery Tomorrow

Just found out that I am in need of rather urgent eye surgery. Apparently, I have an acute macular hole in my right eye. Yikes! How did this happen? We don't know but I sure am glad that the doctors can take care of it before the hole gets bigger.

So, tomorrow morning at 9:30am at Scripps Memorial in La Jolla, I have the surgery and hopefully, will be able to come home in the afternoon. Then the fun begins!

I will need to be face down for 7-14 days to fully recover. I am having panic attacks just thinking about it. My husband has ordered all kinds of fancy equipment to help me be more comfortable during the days ahead. My daughter kindly referred to this stuff as medieval torture chamber equipment! To see the torture equipment, click this link.

I will try to blog as much as possible about the tortuous recovery in the hopes that it may help someone else down the road. Stay with me--this should be interesting.

Any and all prayers gratefully appreciated. No jokes please!