I’ve no restrictions on what I can do now, and the next appointment is in 6 – 8 weeks’ time when he will probably plan the second operation to remove the silicone oil from the eye, and replace it with something resembling the normal fluid in the eye.
Wednesday, 28 March 2018
Retinal Detachment - Post-Op Visit 2
We went back to Addenbrookes
yesterday afternoon to see the consultant who was very pleased with how it was
progressing. He said the retina is all back in place with no sign of scarring.
It’s still a bit wrinkled but he said it was in quite a state when it was
wandering around in the eye so he’s happy with it, and it will smooth itself
out in time. I may never get very good fine vision back in that eye – but wait
and see.
I’ve no restrictions on what I can do now, and the next appointment is in 6 – 8 weeks’ time when he will probably plan the second operation to remove the silicone oil from the eye, and replace it with something resembling the normal fluid in the eye.
I’ve no restrictions on what I can do now, and the next appointment is in 6 – 8 weeks’ time when he will probably plan the second operation to remove the silicone oil from the eye, and replace it with something resembling the normal fluid in the eye.
Saturday, 24 March 2018
Retinal Detachment - "Posturing"
Posturing is the actual term for the regime of lying with your head down, on the left or on the right following surgery. As I've mentioned, I had to be face down for 12 hours a day for 10 days - how can I forget it? (I'm not letting you forget it either!)
I was allowed a break of 15 minutes each hour to wash, eat and carry out any other essential tasks.
You would not believe how quickly that 15 minutes went by and how slowly the next 45 minutes dragged by. Keeping track of time is almost impossible so I invested in a talking watch which was very good indeed. I don't think Saffie the cat thought much to having the time announced at regular intervals by a very strange voice.
Next is a visit back to the consultant to see how he thinks everything has gone so far.
I was allowed a break of 15 minutes each hour to wash, eat and carry out any other essential tasks.
You would not believe how quickly that 15 minutes went by and how slowly the next 45 minutes dragged by. Keeping track of time is almost impossible so I invested in a talking watch which was very good indeed. I don't think Saffie the cat thought much to having the time announced at regular intervals by a very strange voice.
Next is a visit back to the consultant to see how he thinks everything has gone so far.
Tuesday, 20 March 2018
Retinal Detachment - Post-Op Assessment
Addenbrookes Hospital:
Day surgery is a great thing but only if you live locally. Today, SWMBO drove me on the 88 mile round trip for the third consecutive day!
All went well and the surgeon seemed quite pleased with the job he had done. Now I have to go away with all my eye drops and start the 'head down' regime for the next 10 days.
Car parking at Addenbrookes is very good with 2 multi-storey car parks but they can cost up to £18.50 a day. If you are a patient you get your ticket stamped at the out patients department and the cost is capped at £3.60. Other hospitals take note - please!
Day surgery is a great thing but only if you live locally. Today, SWMBO drove me on the 88 mile round trip for the third consecutive day!
All went well and the surgeon seemed quite pleased with the job he had done. Now I have to go away with all my eye drops and start the 'head down' regime for the next 10 days.
Car parking at Addenbrookes is very good with 2 multi-storey car parks but they can cost up to £18.50 a day. If you are a patient you get your ticket stamped at the out patients department and the cost is capped at £3.60. Other hospitals take note - please!
Sunday, 18 March 2018
Retinal Detachment - Operation Day!
Addenbrookes Hospital:
Back to the previously deserted ECG department first thing this morning. It was packed! We explained the situation to the receptionist and, despite her uttering hardly a word, my name was called next. The ECG took less than 10 minutes and, as the technician said, it was probably the quickest test I would ever have.
Now to the eye department. We checked in and were shown to our 'bay' where I had to get into the silly operation gown and then SWMBO and I wrestled with the anti-deep vein thrombosis stockings that I had to wear. Blood pressure had to be taken twice before being acceptable - just. The anaesthetist visited and then I had a final check with the consultant before returning to 'my' bay to await being called.
A delightful theatre nurse came to collect - and reassure me - and I headed for the operating theatre.
I was wired up and made comfortable before the anaesthetist uttered the usual, "Sharp scratch coming" as he inserted a huge cannula into my arm. I didn't feel a thing. He said he was injecting some special Cambridgeshire gin and tonic but before I had a chance to say that I didn't like gin and tonic, I was gone...
I was awoken after the planned one to one and a half hour operation, but the best guess is that it took two and a half hours.
Back to my bay to come round from it all, try to eat something and have a drink. Not easy.
No real discomfort, yet. Eventually I was discharged with tablets, five different eye drops with varying frequencies of application and length of treatment. Thank heavens for SWMBO.
Then...I was told about the polystyrene mask that I would have to use to enable me to be 'face down' for 12 hours a day for the next ten days. The words of the pre-assessment nurse echoed in my ears, "Don't worry it won't be 'face down' for 10 days". Bugger.
We left the hospital and SWMBO carefully drove me home only to return again tomorrow for post-op assessment the following afternoon...to be continued.
Back to the previously deserted ECG department first thing this morning. It was packed! We explained the situation to the receptionist and, despite her uttering hardly a word, my name was called next. The ECG took less than 10 minutes and, as the technician said, it was probably the quickest test I would ever have.
Now to the eye department. We checked in and were shown to our 'bay' where I had to get into the silly operation gown and then SWMBO and I wrestled with the anti-deep vein thrombosis stockings that I had to wear. Blood pressure had to be taken twice before being acceptable - just. The anaesthetist visited and then I had a final check with the consultant before returning to 'my' bay to await being called.
A delightful theatre nurse came to collect - and reassure me - and I headed for the operating theatre.
I was wired up and made comfortable before the anaesthetist uttered the usual, "Sharp scratch coming" as he inserted a huge cannula into my arm. I didn't feel a thing. He said he was injecting some special Cambridgeshire gin and tonic but before I had a chance to say that I didn't like gin and tonic, I was gone...
I was awoken after the planned one to one and a half hour operation, but the best guess is that it took two and a half hours.
Back to my bay to come round from it all, try to eat something and have a drink. Not easy.
No real discomfort, yet. Eventually I was discharged with tablets, five different eye drops with varying frequencies of application and length of treatment. Thank heavens for SWMBO.
Then...I was told about the polystyrene mask that I would have to use to enable me to be 'face down' for 12 hours a day for the next ten days. The words of the pre-assessment nurse echoed in my ears, "Don't worry it won't be 'face down' for 10 days". Bugger.
We left the hospital and SWMBO carefully drove me home only to return again tomorrow for post-op assessment the following afternoon...to be continued.
Thursday, 15 March 2018
Retinal Detachment - Pre-Op Assessment
Addenbrookes Hospital:
Usual eye test (again) - Right eye good, I think I stumbled through the third line from the bottom of the chart. Left eye - "What's the lowest line you can read?" "I can't see anything" "No, start from the top" "I can't see the top" (Don't think she's grasping the situation). We then establish that I can just about make out the light from a pen torch shone directly in my eye.
Next to waiting room two. I see the nurse for eye drops to dilate the pupil and then wait to see the consultant. He's late. When I see him, he gives both eyes a thorough examination and diagnoses a small cataract in the right eye and a torn and completely detached retina in the left eye. He goes a bit quiet. "Come back tomorrow for an operation. We should be able to regain some useful sight in the left eye". He doesn't sound too optimistic.
Then to more nurses for a thorough medical history to be taken. Blood pressure - sky high. Next to the 'doctor' to see if I'm fit for surgery. All OK I think. Yes.
Now back to the main hospital for blood tests in one department and ECG in another. Blood test department very efficient but we are about one minute too late for the ECG department so that will have to wait until tomorrow morning...to be continued.
Usual eye test (again) - Right eye good, I think I stumbled through the third line from the bottom of the chart. Left eye - "What's the lowest line you can read?" "I can't see anything" "No, start from the top" "I can't see the top" (Don't think she's grasping the situation). We then establish that I can just about make out the light from a pen torch shone directly in my eye.
Next to waiting room two. I see the nurse for eye drops to dilate the pupil and then wait to see the consultant. He's late. When I see him, he gives both eyes a thorough examination and diagnoses a small cataract in the right eye and a torn and completely detached retina in the left eye. He goes a bit quiet. "Come back tomorrow for an operation. We should be able to regain some useful sight in the left eye". He doesn't sound too optimistic.
Then to more nurses for a thorough medical history to be taken. Blood pressure - sky high. Next to the 'doctor' to see if I'm fit for surgery. All OK I think. Yes.
Now back to the main hospital for blood tests in one department and ECG in another. Blood test department very efficient but we are about one minute too late for the ECG department so that will have to wait until tomorrow morning...to be continued.
Tuesday, 13 March 2018
Retinal Detachment - Diagnosis
I had been having deteriorating eyesight in my left eye following complications after cataract surgery where the lens capsule was getting more and more opaque.
I had an appointment for simple laser surgery to correct this at Luton & Dunstable hospital one Saturday morning. On the Thursday evening before the appointment I suddenly lost all sight in the eye and naively thought the opaqueness had suddenly got a lot worse. At the appointment the consultant diagnosed a badly torn and completely detached retina and referred me to Addenbrookes hospital near Cambridge as L & D do not do retinal surgery.
I went to Addenbrookes on the following Tuesday and was scheduled for emergency surgery the following day.
To be continued...(sorry for any typing errors!)
I had an appointment for simple laser surgery to correct this at Luton & Dunstable hospital one Saturday morning. On the Thursday evening before the appointment I suddenly lost all sight in the eye and naively thought the opaqueness had suddenly got a lot worse. At the appointment the consultant diagnosed a badly torn and completely detached retina and referred me to Addenbrookes hospital near Cambridge as L & D do not do retinal surgery.
I went to Addenbrookes on the following Tuesday and was scheduled for emergency surgery the following day.
To be continued...(sorry for any typing errors!)
Sunday, 11 March 2018
Holiday Property Bond (HPB) Majorca
You will have noticed that I've been killing time with some funnies which I hope you've found mildly amusing. I've been waiting for our holiday in Majorca. This should have been our first day at Biniorella...
However, we've had to cancel the holiday due to my emergency eye surgery for a torn and completely detached retina. I completely lost all sight in my left eye which was scary to say the least.
So, rather than being on holiday I'm on Day 4 of a 10 day regime where I have to be face down during all waking hours with a 15 minute break each hour to wash, dress, eat and perform all of life's necessities.
Keep following, friends...
However, we've had to cancel the holiday due to my emergency eye surgery for a torn and completely detached retina. I completely lost all sight in my left eye which was scary to say the least.
So, rather than being on holiday I'm on Day 4 of a 10 day regime where I have to be face down during all waking hours with a 15 minute break each hour to wash, dress, eat and perform all of life's necessities.
Keep following, friends...
Monday, 5 March 2018
Thursday, 1 March 2018
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