An update on the eye situation. When last I posted we were expecting to have surgery on Tuesday, with the hope of being called in on Monday. So, I didn’t eat anything after dinner Sunday, and was gratified when Wilmer’s called early Monday morning and told me the had a slot for surgery at 3 PM, and to arrive about 1 for prep.
According to the plan, they would decide exactly what to do when they got in there and could see what was happening, anything from some lasering, a new gas bubble, an oil bubble or 1 rubber band, excuse me, silicone rubber buckle, around the eye to help press the eye against the retina. Before surgery, the doc informed me he had definitely decided on the gas bubble and buckle scenario, which would require more anesthesia.
When I woke up in recovery, he was explaining after care to Georgia. I was released a few minutes later, and we headed to a nearby hotel, where I crashed almost immediately and slept until 2AM, took a couple Tylenol, (it hurt pretty bad, as they warned it might), and we got up again at 6 to grab some breakfast and coffee, for the 9 am check in with the doc.
He pronounced himself happy with the surgery (he was last time, too), but admitted a second detachment happened in 15-20% of the cases. He said they found no additional tears in the retina, the detachment having been caused by scars which pulled on the tissue, causing it to come loose. I got a little more out of him about what to expect, mostly because I already had gone through this in the recent past. I have a follow up exam next Monday.
Pain from the rubber band, which is permanent, should fade over the next couple of days, and is largely relieved with acetaminophen. The bubble, I’m familiar with. I’m supposed to look down 55 minutes per hour for a week, sleep on my right side to keep the bubble pressed against to right area, and not bend over or lift more than 20 lbs for a couple weeks. And eye drops, a whole new round, although not quite as many as last time.
Because of the head down thing, I can’t use my PC much, and regular blogging will likely be light.
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